CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Constipation - Management
Faecal loading: oral laxatives
Age from 16 years onwards
Movicol sachets: take 8 sachets per day
Movicol 13.8g oral powder sachets
Take the contents of eight sachets per day (dissolved in 1 litre water). Stop the course once impaction resolves.
Supply 50 sachets.
Bisacodyl tablets: 5mg at night
Bisacodyl 5mg gastro-resistant tablets
Take one tablet at night for constipation. Increase the dose to two tablets at night after 2 to 3 days if needed.
Supply 28 tablets.
Senna tablets: two tablets at night
Senna 7.5mg tablets
Take two tablets at night for constipation. Increase the dose to four tablets at night after 2 to 3 days if needed.
Supply 60 tablets.
Sodium picosulfate capsules: 5mg at night
Sodium picosulfate 2.5mg capsules
Take two capsules at night for constipation. Increase the dose to four capsules at night after 2 to 3 days if needed.
Supply 50 capsules.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement