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 To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?'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
If stools remain hard, add or switch to an osmotic laxative
Age from 12 to 60 years
Lactulose solution: 15ml twice a day
Lactulose 3.1-3.7g/5ml oral solution
Take 15ml twice a day for constipation. Increase the dose by 5ml twice a day every 2 to 3 days if needed. (Aim to produce one or two soft, formed stools every one or two days.)
Supply 500 ml.
Movicol: one sachet once a day
Movicol 13.8g oral powder sachets
Take the contents of one sachet dissolved in half a glass of water (about 125ml) each day for constipation. Increase the dose by one sachet every 2 to 3 days if needed, up to a maximum of three sachets per day. (Aim to produce one or two soft, formed stools every one or two days.)
Supply 30 sachets.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement