Constipation can be such an uncomfortable experience – after all, no one likes to be left feeling bloated and sluggish. CosmoCol Orange, Lemon and Lime flavour is a powdered laxative that can be mixed into a delicious fruit-flavoured drink to help treat long-term, chronic constipation and faecal impaction. The compound macrogol 3550 softens faeces, making it easier to pass stools, while electrolytes help maintain your body's normal sodium, potassium and water levels and prevent dehydration. Just mix and drink.

Benefits:

• Easy to use powdered laxative sachets, in an orange, lemon and lime flavour
• Help to effectively treat constipation
• Electrolytes help maintain sodium, potassium, and water levels
• Active ingredient Macrogol makes stools easier to pass
• Mix into a tasty fruit-flavoured drink
• 30 sachet pack

What conditions or symptoms can be treated with CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour?

CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour is used to treat long-term (chronic) constipation and faecal impaction, which is persistent constipation where a large volume of stools causes a blockage of the rectum and/or colon. It is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

What it the active ingredient in CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour and how do they work?

CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour is a laxative used for the treatment of chronic constipation and faecal impaction. The active ingredient in this product is Macrogol 3350, which makes the feces softer and easier to pass, giving relief from constipation. The electrolytes (sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and potassium chloride) in the product help to maintain normal levels of sodium, potassium, and water in the body.

What is chronic constipation?

Chronic constipation is a condition where a person experiences infrequent bowel movements or difficulty in passing stools for several weeks or longer. It is generally defined as having less than three bowel movements in a week. Chronic constipation can interfere with daily tasks and may cause excessive straining during bowel movements.

What is faecal impaction?

Faecal impaction refers to a large, hard lump of stool that remains lodged in the rectum and is unable to be expelled. This condition is often experienced by individuals who suffer from long-term constipation.

Who should not take CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour?

People who are allergic to macrogol 3350, sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium chloride, or any other ingredient in CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour should not take this medicine. People with a perforated gut wall, blockage in the intestine, or severe inflammatory bowel disease should also avoid this medicine.

Can CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour interact with other medicines?

Yes, some medicines such as anti-epileptics may not work as effectively while using CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour. It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription. CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour may also counteract the effect of fluid thickeners.

When can CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour be taken?

CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour can be taken at any time with or without food or drink.

Can CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak to your doctor before taking CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour.

Does CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour affect driving or operating machinery?

No, CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour does not affect the ability to drive or use machinery.

Does CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour contain potassium?

Yes, CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour contains 0.63mmol (25mg) of potassium per sachet. This should be considered by patients with reduced kidney function or those on a controlled potassium diet.

What should you do if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 14 days?

If your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 14 days, you should contact a doctor.

What should you do if you experience side effects while taking CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour?

If you experience any side effects while taking CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the leaflet.

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Patient information leaflet

Macrogol 3350 13.125g, sodium chloride 0.3507g, sodium hydrogen carbonate 0.1785g, potassium chloride 0.0466g, colloidal anhydrous silica, saccharin sodium, orange flavour (Orange flavour contains: flavouring substances and flavouring preparations, maltodextrin, acacia gum, alpha-tocopherol) and lemon lime flavour (Lemon lime flavour contains: flavouring preparations, maltodextrin, mannitol, gluconolactone, sorbitol (E420), acacia gum, colloidal anhydrous silica).

CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour contains 0.63mmol (25mg) of potassium per sachet. This should be taken into consideration if you take more than one sachet daily and you have reduced kidney function, or if you are on a controlled potassium diet.

CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour contains 8.1mmol (187mg) of sodium per sachet. This should be taken into consideration if you are on a controlled sodium diet.

The lemon lime flavour in CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour contains sorbitol (E420). If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Not recommended for children below 12 years of age.

Treatment of chronic constipation in adults, children (aged 12 years and above) and the elderly:

The recommended dose for constipation is one sachet taken one to three times daily.

Duration of treatment: This course of treatment for constipation should not normally last longer than 2 weeks.

Treatment of faecal impaction in adults, children (aged 12 years and above) and the elderly:

Before you take CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour for faecal impaction, your doctor must check to confirm that you have this condition. The recommended dose is 8 sachets daily, all of which should be consumed within 6 hours.

To prevent further problems from faecal impaction, your doctor may advise that you continue taking this medicine. You should use the dose for treating chronic constipation.

Duration of treatment: The course of treatment for faecal impaction should be stopped when a large volume of stools is passed and does not normally last longer than 3 days.

How to mix: Open the sachet and pour the contents into a glass. Add about 125ml or a quarter pint of water to the glass. Stir well until the powder has dissolved and then drink it.

Taking more CosmoCol than you should can cause severe pain and swelling in your abdomen (stomach), or vomiting (sickness) or diarrhoea. If this happens, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue on as before. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

To get the most benefit from CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour, always finish the course of treatment according to the directions in this package leaflet. This will make sure that your constipation is cleared, otherwise the symptoms you are suffering from may persist.

You must contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 14 days.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour can be taken at any time with or without food or drink.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and sachet. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not store above 25°C.

Do not use this medicine if you notice that any of the sachets is damaged.

Reconstituted CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour solution can be covered and stored in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C), and should be used within 24 hours. After 24 hours, any unused solution should be discarded.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Do not take CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour: If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to macrogol 3350, sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium chloride, or any of the other ingredients in CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour

If you have a perforated gut (bowel) wall if you have a blockage in your intestine (gut obstruction, ileus) if you have severe inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or toxic megacolon If any of these applies to you, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. Some medicines, e.g. anti-epileptics, may not work as effectively during use with CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding talk to your doctor before taking CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour.

CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour has no effect on the ability to drive or use machinery.

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour and see your doctor immediately:

Signs of an allergy, such as a rash, itching, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. signs of a change in your body’s fluid or electrolyte levels (salts levels), such as swelling (mainly in the ankles), feeling weak, increasingly tired or increased thirst with headache

The following side effects are also possible:

Abdominal (stomach) pain mild diarrhoea (when starting to take CosmoCol Orange Lemon & Lime Flavour, this usually stops if you reduce the number of sachets you take) nausea (feeling sick) vomiting swelling of your abdomen (feeling bloated) stomach rumbling flatulence (wind) soreness of the anus (bottom) If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.