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Irritable bowel syndrome - Management
Constipation-predominant IBS: bulk-forming/macrogol/stimulant

Age from 18 years onwards
Ispaghula 3.4g sachets: once or twice a day
Ispaghula husk 3.4g oral powder sachets gluten free sugar free
Take the contents of one sachet (dissolved in a glass of water) once a day for constipation. Increase to one sachet twice a day after 2 to 3 days if needed. (Aim to produce one to two soft, formed stools every one or two days.)
Supply 60 sachets.
Age: from 18 years onwards
NHS cost: £5.08
OTC cost: £9.30
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: It is important that you drink plenty of fluid (e.g. 6 to 8 cups a day) while taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine immediately before going to bed.
Ispaghula 3.5g sachets: once or twice a day
Ispaghula husk 3.5g effervescent granules sachets gluten free sugar free
Take the contents of one sachet (dissolved in a glass of water) once a day for constipation. Increase to one sachet twice a day after 2 to 3 days if needed. (Aim to produce one to two soft, formed stools every one or two days.)
Supply 60 sachets.
Age: from 18 years onwards
NHS cost: £4.20
OTC cost: £9.30
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: It is important that you drink plenty of fluid (e.g. 6 to 8 cups a day) while taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine immediately before going to bed.
Sterculia sachets: one sachet once or twice a day
Sterculia 62% granules 7g sachets gluten free
Take the contents of one sachet (dissolved in a glass of water) once or twice a day for constipation. Increase the dose to two sachets once or twice a day after 2 to 3 days if needed. (Aim to produce one or two soft, formed stools every one to two days.)
Supply 60 sachets.
Age: from 18 years onwards
NHS cost: £5.19
OTC cost: £9.15
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: It is important that you drink plenty of fluid (e.g. 6 to 8 cups a day) while taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine immediately before going to bed.
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) once a 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 60 sachets.
Age: from 18 years onwards
NHS cost: £13.90
OTC cost: £24.50
Licensed use: yes
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.
Age: from 18 years onwards
NHS cost: £0.76
OTC cost: £1.33
Licensed use: yes
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.
Age: from 18 years onwards
NHS cost: £1.71
OTC cost: £3.01
Licensed use: yes
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.
Age: from 18 years onwards
NHS cost: £2.73
OTC cost: £4.81
Licensed use: yes

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