A problem such as constipation occurs not only in adults, but also in childhood. To eliminate it, laxative drugs are used, which include Guttalax. Is it possible to give it to a child, how does it affect the work of the intestines and in what dose is it allowed for children?
Release form
Guttalax produce:
- In drops... Such a medication is represented by plastic bottles that have a dropper stopper. One bottle contains 15 or 30 ml of a slightly viscous transparent liquid. It is colorless, yellowish or yellow-brown. This solution has no taste.
- In tablets. They are characterized by their round flat shape and white color. Such tablets, like drops, do not smell. One pack can contain 20 or 50 tablets.
Other forms of Guttalax (suppositories, syrup, capsules) are not available.
Composition
The active ingredient in any version of Guttalax is sodium picosulfate. 100 ml of drops contain 0.75 grams, and one tablet contains 5 mg. Additional substances in the liquid form of the drug are sorbitol, sodium benzoate, water, sodium citrate and citric acid. In tablet form, the auxiliary ingredients are represented by lactose, corn and potato starch, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide.
Operating principle
Sodium picosulfate in the composition of the drug has a local laxative effect. This compound is broken down in the colon by bacteria of the normal flora. An active metabolite is formed from it, which stimulates the mucous membrane and enhances peristalsis. The result will be the accumulation of electrolytes and water in the lumen of the intestine, due to which the act of defecation is provoked, and the stool softens and is excreted faster.
The medication works exclusively in the colon. Thanks to its use, the natural evacuation of feces is stimulated. The drug has no effect on the digestion of food in the small intestine. Guttalax is absorbed in a very small amount. The therapeutic effect of taking it is observed after 6-12 hours (this time depends on the rate of decomposition of sodium picosulfate).
Indications
The reasons for prescribing Guttalax include:
- Atonic constipation, such as after surgery.
- Constipation caused by medication.
- Anal fissures or hemorrhoids (with such problems, the drug softens the stool and makes it easier to defecate).
- Irritable bowel syndrome, one of the symptoms of which is constipation.
- Diseases of the gallbladder.
- Constipation caused by intestinal dysbiosis.
- Constipation due to a violation of the diet.
At what age is it allowed to take
The tablet form of Guttalax is contraindicated in children under 4 years of age. Drops can be used in younger children, however, pediatricians do not prescribe such a remedy at the age of up to 2 years, since the intestinal flora involved in the metabolism of picosulfate is not yet sufficiently developed in infants. For this reason, doctors can prescribe drops at the age of 2-4 years, calculating the dosage by the weight of the baby. It is unacceptable to give Guttalax to a child under 10 years old without the supervision of a specialist.
How else can you cope with childhood constipation, Dr. Komarovsky will tell in the next video.
Contraindications
Guttalax tablets or drops should not be given:
- With intestinal obstruction.
- With severe abdominal pain, especially if it is accompanied by vomiting and high body temperature.
- With inflammatory bowel disease.
- If you are intolerant to sodium picosulfate or another ingredient of the medicine.
- With severe dehydration.
- With fructose intolerance.
To rule out these problems, it is definitely recommended to check with a doctor before treatment.
Side effects
Taking Guttalax can provoke such negative symptoms:
- Nausea.
- Itchy skin.
- Dizziness.
- Discomfort in the abdomen.
- Fainting.
- Stomach ache.
- Rash on the skin.
- Loose stools.
- Vomiting.
- Quincke's edema.
Instructions for use and dosage
- Drops can be taken undiluted at any time of the day or added to a glass of water. They can be mixed with any other liquid or food as needed. The tablet is swallowed and washed down with water.
- The daily dose of the liquid form of Guttalax for a child 4-10 years old is from 5 to 10 drops, and for a child over 10 years old - from 10 to 20 drops. The solid form of the drug is given to children 4-10 years old, half or a whole tablet per day, and over the age of 10 years - 1-2 tablets per day.
- Treatment is recommended to start with a minimum dosage, for example, a child at the age of 6 is given 5 drops of liquid medicine, after which changes in the stool are monitored. If this dose is ineffective, the amount of the drug is increased, but does not exceed the maximum age-related dosage per day (in our case, 10 drops).
- For children under 4 years of age, the doctor may prescribe Guttalax drops, calculating the daily dose of the drug by the child's weight. For every 2 kg of the baby's body weight, 1 drop of medication is needed.
- The duration of taking Guttalax usually does not exceed 10 days and must be adjusted by a doctor.
Overdose
An unnecessarily high dose of the drug usually causes diarrhea and dehydration, which upsets the balance of fluid and electrolytes. In severe cases, the medication provokes ischemia of the muscle tissue of the colon and seizures. Long-term intake of Guttalax in an excessive dosage causes chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, a decrease in the level of potassium in the blood, which can provoke urolithiasis, kidney damage, muscle weakness and hyperaldosteronism.
Interaction with other drugs
If Guttalax is prescribed in a high dose and glucocorticoid hormones or diuretics are additionally used, this will increase the risk of electrolyte disturbances (it will provoke hypokalemia). When administered together with antibiotics, the laxative effect may be reduced.
Terms of sale
Both forms of Guttalax are over-the-counter medicines, so there is no difficulty in acquiring them. The average price of a bottle with 15 ml drops is 280-300 rubles, and a pack of 20 tablets is about 200 rubles.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Keep the drug at home at a temperature of 0 to 30 degrees Celsius in a place where the medicine cannot be accessible to a small child. The shelf life of both drops and tablets is 3 years.
Reviews
Parents are most often satisfied with the use of Guttalax in children. Moms praise the drug for its mild action, good effect, lack of unpleasant taste, affordable price and ease of use. Negative reviews are rare. They note the lack of effect, which is why they had to use another laxative medication.
Analogs
You can replace Guttalax with drugs with the same active ingredient, for example:
- With drops or tablets of Guttasil.
- Coated tablets or drops Mild.
- Regulax Picosulfate drops.
- Laxigal drops.
- Drops Weak-cap.
In addition, the pediatrician may recommend other laxatives (Glycelax, Duphalac, Lactulose, Microlax, Bisacodyl), but you should choose an analogue only with a specialist. It is undesirable to give any medicines of such a group without consulting a physician.
