Common
questions
about Movicol

Common questions

• Do I need a prescription from my doctor to purchase Movicol?

  No, Movicol is available to buy without prescription from your pharmacy. If you cannot find Movicol in a pharmacy, ask the pharmacy team as they can order it in for you.

• Is Movicol suitable as the first choice of treatment for occasional constipation?

  If you have constipation you should first try making changes to your lifestyle, such as increasing the amount of fibre in your diet, increasing the amount of fluid you drink, doing more exercise and changing your toilet routine. If these do not bring you the constipation relief you need, then you can try a laxative, such as bulk-forming laxative or an osmotic laxative, such as Movicol.

• Is Movicol suitable for children?

  More children experience constipation than adults, with a third being constipated at some point in their childhood, compared with just 1 in 7 adults. The good news is that all Movicol products are suitable for children aged 12+ years. It works to restore natural bowel movement and provide gentle and effective relief from constipation. If your child has constipation and is under 12 years of age, you should ask your doctor for advice.

• I’m pregnant*, can I take Movicol?

  Constipation is common in pregnancy, affecting around 40% of pregnant women. It’s always important if you are pregnant to take care what medicines you take, in case they have a negative effect on your baby. The good news is that all Movicol products are suitable for pregnant women. It works to restore natural bowel movement and provide gentle and effective relief from constipation, even in pregnancy. Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.

• I’m breastfeeding, can I take Movicol?

  Constipation is common during pregnancy and, although you would hope it would clear up after birth, it can take some time for the bowels to go back to normal. The good news is that all Movicol products can be taken if you are breastfeeding but it is best to speak with your doctor or midwife before taking Movicol.

• What time of day should I take Movicol?

  You can take Movicol at any time of day. If you are taking more than one Movicol sachet per day you can divide the dose, for example, one sachet in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

• Do I need take Movicol with food?

  No, there is no need to take Movicol with food.

• Are packs of Movicol sachets designed for people with occasional constipation?

  Movicol is available in packs of 30 sachets and can be used by people with constipation. Packs of 20 sachets are available from your pharmacy.

• Are there any issues with long term use of Movicol?

  Always read the label when taking any medicine. Movicol should be used as a maximum course of constipation treatment for up to 2 weeks and for up to 3 days for faecal impaction in adults and children aged 12+ years. Long-term data suggests the active ingredients in Movicol do not cause any safety issues at the recommended therapeutic dose.

• Can I mix Movicol with something other than water?

  Movicol powder sachets should be mixed with water, but you can add squash or cordial afterwards to taste. Movicol Liquid should only be mixed with water.

• Can Movicol be used by people with diabetes or lactose or gluten intolerance?

  Yes, Movicol can be used by people with diabetes or who are lactose or gluten intolerance as it is sucrose, lactose and gluten-free.

• Is Movicol suitable for vegans?

  Yes, all Movicol products are suitable for vegans as they are free from animal and animal-derived ingredients.

• Is Movicol suitable for vegetarians?

  Yes, all Movicol products are suitable for vegetarians as they are free from any meat, chicken or fish-based ingredients.

• Is Movicol suitable for a Halal diet?

  Yes, some Movicol products are suitable for a Halal diet. These include:
  • Movicol 13.8g Sachet, Powder for Oral Solution
  • Movicol Plain 13.7g Sachet, Powder for Oral Solution
  • Movicol-Half
  • Movicol Ready to Take Oral Solution in Sachet.
  These products have not been Halal-certified however.

• Does Movicol contain any artificial colourings or flavourings?

  The following Movicol product is free from artificial colourings or flavourings:
  • Movicol Plain 13.7g Sachet, Powder for Oral Solution.

• Can I use the normal Movicol on my child but at half the dose?

  No, Movicol products are not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
  If your child has constipation and is under 12 years of age, you should ask your doctor for advice.

• Will Movicol interfere with other medications I’m taking?

  Movicol has few interactions with other medicines. There have been occasional cases where Movicol has temporarily reduced the efficacy of anti-epileptic products when taken at the same time. It also potentially interacts with starch-based food thickeners to counteract their thickening effect. If you are not sure if Movicol is right for you, ask your pharmacist for advice.

• Will Movicol interfere with other gastrointestinal medication?

  Movicol is not known to interfere with other gastrointestinal medications. If you are not sure if Movicol is right for you, ask your pharmacist for advice.

• Where do I store Movicol?

  Unopened Movicol sachets do not require any special storage conditions. However once a sachet has been made up (reconstituted) it should be covered and stored in the fridge at 2°–8°C.
  Movicol Ready to Take Oral Solution in Sachet should not be stored in the fridge or frozen and should not be stored above 30°C.