Laxate

Laxate Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

The husk and seed of Plantago ovata are commonly known as psyllium or Ispaghula. Psyllium is widely used as a fiber supplement for the treatment of constipation. Psyllium husk is obtained by milling the seed of P.ovata.Psyllium is classified as a mucilaginous fiber due to its powerful ability to form a gel in water. This ability comes from its role as the endosperm of the P. ovata seed, where it's functions to retain water in order to prevent the seed from drying out. Psyllium husk contains

High proportion of hemicelluloseArabinoseRhamnoseGalacturonic acid units (arabinoxylans)35% soluble and 65% insoluble polysaccharidesMost of the Ispaghula reach the caecum within four hours after ingestion in an intact and highly polymerized form. Ispaghula husk significantly increases the level of stool moisture, as well as wet and dry stool weight and shorten gastrointestinal transit time. Anaerobic fermentation of the soluble non-starch polysaccharides from Ispaghula seed results in the production of short chain fatty acids, acetate, propionate and butyrate in the intestine. Butyric acid is the preferred oxidative substrate for colonocytes and may be helpful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Ispaghula has hypocholesterolemic effects also. It is assumed that Ispaghula increases the activity of cholesterol alpha hydroxylase, HMG-CoA reductase and fractional turnover of both chenodeoxycholic and cholic acids. As a result it decreases cholesterol absorption and lowers LDL cholesterol.

HighproportionofhemicelluloseArabinoseRhamnoseGalacturonicacidunits(arabinoxylans)35%solubleand65%insolublepolysaccharidesMostoftheIspaghulareachthecaecumwithinfourhoursafteringestioninanintactandhighlypolymerizedform.Ispaghulahusksignificantlyincreasesthelevelofstoolmoisture,aswellaswetanddrystoolweightandshortengastrointestinaltransittime.Anaerobicfermentationofthesolublenon-starchpolysaccharidesfromIspaghulaseedresultsintheproductionofshortchainfattyacids,acetate,propionateandbutyrateintheintestine.Butyricacidisthepreferredoxidativesubstrateforcolonocytesandmaybehelpfulinthetreatmentofulcerativecolitis.Ispaghulahashypocholesterolemiceffectsalso.ItisassumedthatIspaghulaincreasestheactivityofcholesterolalphahydroxylase,HMG-CoAreductaseandfractionalturnoverofbothchenodeoxycholicandcholicacids.AsaresultitdecreasescholesterolabsorptionandlowersLDLcholesterol.

Trade Name Laxate
Generic Ispaghula Husk
Weight 3.5mg/sachet
Type Granules for Suspension
Therapeutic Class Bulk-forming laxatives
Manufacturer Medimet Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Available Country Bangladesh
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Laxate
Laxate

Uses

This medicine contains ispaghula husk which is a bulking agent. This means that when it is taken with water it increases the size of the faeces (stools) and helps solid waste to pass through the body. Laxate sachets are used to treat constipation and in conditions where it is better for the patient to have soft stools. They are also used for patients who require a high fibre diet

Dosage

Laxate dosage

Constipation:

  • Adult: 3.5 g 1-3 times daily. Mix with a full glass of liq.
  • Child: ≤12 yr Each level 5-mL spoonful contains 1.75 g: Half to 1 level 5-mL spoonful bid (morning and evening) to be dissolved in water.

Mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia:

  • Adult: As adjunct to lipid-lowering diet: 7.5-10 g daily. Mix with a full glass of liq.

Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take before meals with a full glass of water.

Side Effects

Abdominal distention, flatulence, GI impaction, GI obstruction, hypersensitivity reactions e.g. rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchospasm and anaphylaxia; cutaneous symptoms (e.g. exanthema and/or pruritus).

Precaution

Patient with swallowing difficulty. Children.

Interaction

Concurrent use of licorice, laxatives and antidiabetic agents may result in increased risk of hypokalemia and hypoglycemia. Carbamazepine bio-availability may be reduced during concomitant administration of psyllium seed.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

No adverse effects of has been reported in pregnancy & lactation.

Contraindication

Pre-existing faecal impaction, intestinal obstruction, natural or drug-induced reduction of gut motility, colonic atony e.g. senile megacolon.

Acute Overdose

Symptoms: Abdominal discomfort and flatulence.

Management: Maintain adequate fluid intake.

Storage Condition

Store below 30° C.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Laxate

FAQ

What is Laxate used for?

Laxate is mainly used as a dietary fiber to relieve symptoms of both constipation and mild diarrhea, and occasionally as a food thickener. Laxate can be used for the treatment of habitual constipation (constipation not caused by a physical change to an organ) and in conditions where softening of the stools is desirable to reduce pain when they are passed, such as anal fissures, haemorrhoids.

How safe is Laxate?

You can take Laxate for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as your doctor has recommended.

How does Laxate work?

Laxate contains dietary fibre, which when mixed with water forms a gel-like mass that works as a mild laxative (medicine used to treat constipation). It moves down the digestive system and makes the stools softer by increasing their water content.

What are the common side effects of Laxate?

The most common side effects, which happen in more than 1 in 100 people, are wind and bloating. This sometimes happens because of the sudden increase of fibre in your diet. It should get better after a few days.

Is Laxate safe during pregnancy?

Laxate is generally safe to take during pregnancy.

Is Laxate safe during breastfeeding?

Laxate is not known to be harmful while breastfeeding as it is not absorbed by the digestive system. This means that your baby will not feel the effects of the laxative.

Can I drink alcohol with Laxate?

Tablespoons of Laxate with water, after excessive consumption of alcohol, doesn't let the alcohol get absorbed into the blood.

How do I take Laxate?

Take Laxate exactly as your doctor tells you to, or as directed on the pack. The usual dose for an adult is one sachet taken twice a day. Pour the granules from the sachet into a glass of water (about 150 ml), stir well, and then drink the liquid as soon as possible.

How often can I take Laxate?

The usual dose for an adult is one sachet taken twice a day.

How does Laxate take to work?

It takes 2 to 3 days for Laxate to work. Talk to your doctor if you're still constipated after 3 days.

What is the best time to take Laxate?

It is best if you take your doses just after a meal.

Can I take Laxate for a long time?

You can take Laxate for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as your doctor has recommended. This will usually be for up to a week. For more serious constipation, and if you're taking Laxate to increase the fibre in your diet, your doctor may recommend that you take it for many months.

Who should not take Laxate?

You should not take Laxate if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if psyllium is safe to use if you have ever had: stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting; trouble swallowing; or a sudden change in bowel habits lasting longer than 2 weeks.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Laxate is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

When should I stop taking Laxate?

You can take Laxate for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as your doctor has recommended. This will usually be for up to a week. For more serious constipation, and if you're taking Laxate to increase the fibre in your diet, your doctor may recommend that you take it for many months.

How much Laxate should I take?

The usual dose for constipation in: adults and children aged 13 years and over is 1 sachet of Fybogel granules twice a day. children aged 6 to 12 years is ½ to 1 level 5ml spoonful of Laxate granules twice a day.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Can Laxate affects my heart ?

Laxate can affect your heart by lowering blood pressure, improving lipid levels, and strengthening heart muscle.

Is Laxate bad for the liver?

The effects of Laxate  seed on liver lipids were more pronounced than those of pectin. Defatted Laxate husk feeding virtually normalized liver size and serum triglyceride levels and produced lower serum total cholesterol levels and higher HDL-cholesterol than observed in normal controls.

Is Laxate bad for kidneys?

For most healthy people, Laxate offers a variety of benefits. Only people with certain conditions are advised to not take Laxate, such as those with digestive conditions, kidney disease, or who have trouble swallowing.

Is Laxate good for health?

Research shows that taking Laxate is beneficial to many parts of the human body, including the heart and the pancreas.

Can I take Laxate on an empty stomach?

Because Laxate slows down the digestion of food, people should take it with food, rather than on its own, so it has a greater effect on blood sugar levels.


*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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