What is Laxido?

Laxido Orange Sachets are used to treat constipation and faecal impaction (build-up of faeces caused by long-term constipation). It contains the active ingredient Macrogol 3350 which is a laxative treatment that softens faeces, making it easier to pass and relieving symptoms of constipation. It is also formulated with electrolytes to help maintain your body’s normal levels of sodium, potassium and water whilst your constipation is being treated.

What causes constipation?

Constipation is a common problem and affects people of all ages. It can usually be treated at home and isn’t often a serious issue. Symptoms of being constipated include:

• Not passing a stool (poo) at least 3 times in a week
• Stools are often difficult to push out and larger than usual
• Stools are often dry, hard or lumpy
• Stomach ache or feeling sick

Constipation has many possible causes and sometimes there is no obvious reason, but the most common causes include:

• Not eating enough fibre- such as fruit, vegetables and cereals
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not moving enough and spending long periods sitting or lying in bed
• Being less active and not exercising
• Often ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
• Changing your diet or daily routine
• A side effect of a medicine
• Stress, anxiety or depression
• Common during pregnancy and for 6 weeks after giving birth
• Caused by a medical condition (rare cases)

Faecal Impaction

Long-term constipation can lead to a condition called faecal impaction, which is where faeces (poo) has built up in your rectum. The main symptom of this is diarrhoea after a long bout of constipation.

How does Laxido work?

Laxido contains the active ingredient Macrogol 3350 which softens hard faeces by absorbing water into the stool, making them easier to pass and giving you relief from constipation. It can also be used before a colonoscopy (a test to check inside your bowels) to empty your bowels before the test. This medicine is in the form of a powder that is dissolved in water before taking orally (by mouth) for easy and convenient administration. This medicine also contains the electrolytes, sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium chloride to maintain your normal levels of sodium, potassium and water whilst you are treating your symptoms of constipation.

How long does it take for Laxido Orange to work?

Laxido can take between 1 and 2 days to work as this is how long it takes the active ingredient, Macrogol 3350, to soften your faeces to allow it to be passed more easily.

Warnings

Seek advice from your doctor or a pharmacist before taking Laxido Orange for faecal impaction as it should be confirmed that you have this condition before taking this medicine. Ensure you continue to drink plenty of fluids whilst taking this product, so you do not become dehydrated. The fluid content of this product should NOT replace your regular intake of liquid.

How to take Laxido

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as instructed by a doctor or pharmacist. Laxido Orange should be taken orally.

Dissolve the contents of one sachet in a glass of water (125ml or a quarter of a pint). Stir well until all the powder has dissolved. If you are being treated for faecal impaction, you can dissolve the contents of all eight sachets together in 1 litre of water in a large container.

Dosage

• Constipation – 1 sachet taken 1-3 times a day
• Faecal Impaction – Eight sachets daily. All eight sachets must be taken within 6 hours. If you have a heart condition, do not take more than two sachets (in 250ml of water) in any one hour.

Duration of treatment

• Constipation – The course of treatment for constipation, doesn’t normally last longer than 2 weeks. Your treatment may last for longer than two weeks if you have ongoing constipation or a disease that causes constipation (such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis) or if you are taking other regular medicines that can cause constipation. In these cases, your doctor may reduce the dose to one sachet taken one or two times daily
• Faecal Impaction – The course of treatment for faecal impaction does not normally last longer than 3 days

If you take more Laxido than you should

You may experience severe pains and swelling in your abdomen or vomiting or diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. If this occurs, stop taking Laxido Orange and drink plenty of fluids. If these symptoms persist, seek medical advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

This product can be taken during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding, but always seek advice from a doctor or a pharmacist before taking any new medication or products.

When should you NOT use Laxido Orange?

Do NOT take Laxido Orange if you are allergic to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (see ingredients tab for full list) or if you have:

• A perforation in the wall of your intestine
• A blockage in your intestine
• Paralysis of the intestine (for example, your intestines may stop working due to intestinal surgery or severe infection)
• Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or toxic megacolon

This product contains 26mg of potassium per sachet, which should be taken into consideration if you take more than one sachet daily and you have reduced kidney function or if you are on a controlled potassium diet. This medicine contains 187mg of sodium in each sachet which is equivalent to around 9% of the recommended maximum daily intake of sodium for an adult. Speak to your doctor or a pharmacist before taking this product for a prolonged period, especially if you have been advised to follow a lot salt diet.

Taking Laxido with other medication

Some medicines such as anti-epileptics, may not work as effectively if they are taken at the same time as Laxido. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. You should not take any other medicines by mouth for one hour and for one hour after taking Laxido Orange.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Laxido can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Laxido Orange and seek advice from your doctor immediately:

• Signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Signs of an allergy such as a rash, reddening of the skin, nettle rash, itching or shortness of breath
• Signs of a change in your body’s fluid or electrolyte levels, such as swelling (mainly in the ankles), feeling fatigued, dehydration or increased thirst with a headache. These symptoms may be a sign that the potassium levels in your blood are higher or lower than normal.

The following side effects are also possible: 

• Abdominal pain
• Feeling bloated
• Suffering from wind
• Indigestion
• Soreness of the anus (bottom)
• Mild diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Stomach rumbling

Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do NOT use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and sachet. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
• You should store unopened sachets below 25°C
• Do NOT use this medicine if you notice that any of the sachets are damaged
• Reconstituted Laxido Orange solution can be covered and stored in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) and should be used within six hours. After six hours, any unused solutions should be discarded.

Important Information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

Helpful Advice on Medication Restrictions & Addiction

For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.

If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:

NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction

Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support