Dulcolax Twelve Plus 5 mg Gastro-resistant - 100 Tablets

Dulcolax Twelve Plus 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets are a medication used for the relief of constipation. These tablets contain 5 mg of the active ingredient is are designed to be gastro-resistant, ensuring they reach the intestines before dissolving. Suitable for individuals aged twelve and above.

Usage Instructions:

For constipation:

• Adults (including the elderly) and children over 12 years: 1 to 2 tablets at night.
• Swallow the tablets whole with water. The tablets should not be chewed or crushed.
• Milk, antacids or proton pump inhibitors (medicines which reduce stomach acid) should not be taken within one hour before or after taking Dulcolax Twelve Plus Tablets. This is because they will stop the Dulcolax Twelve Plus Tablets from working properly
• If you have not taken Dulcolax Twelve Plus Tablets before, start with one tablet and increase to two if necessary. When your bowel regularity has returned to normal, the dose can usually be stopped.

Length of treatment:

• These tablets should not be used every day for more than 5 days. 
• If you need laxatives every day, then you should see your doctor to find the cause of your constipation. 
• Overuse can be harmful.

Warnings:

Do not take if you:

• Are allergic to any of the ingredients 
• Have blockage or narrowing of the gastro-intestinal tract or bowel (ileus, intestinal obstruction or stenosis)
• Have paralysis or a lack of muscle tone in the bowel (atony)
• Have appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Have severe dehydration
• Have persistent or undiagnosed abdominal complaints e.g pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Have faecal impaction or rectal bleeding for which you don't know the cause, or blood in your stools
• Have already taken a laxative and are still constipated
• Have had a sudden change in bowel habit that has lasted for more than 2 weeks
• Are pregnant or breast-feeding
• Have kidney or heart failure
• Are under 18 years of age unless advised by a medical professional

Does this help with weight loss?

• Stimulant laxatives (including Dulcolax 5mg tablets) do not help with weight loss. 
• They do not reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients.
• They can cause watery stools (diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and dehydration. Dehydration can seem like weight loss.

Overuse of laxatives may damage your health by:

• Causing disturbances of electrolyte and mineral balances. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus are electrolytes and minerals that are present in very specific amounts necessary for proper functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Upsetting this delicate balance can cause incorrect functioning of these vital organs.
• Severe dehydration may cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and, in extreme cases, death. Dehydration often requires medical treatment.
• Laxative dependency occurs from overuse and can cause the colon to stop reacting to usual doses of laxatives so that larger and larger amounts of laxatives may be needed to produce bowel movements. 

Do not exceed the stated dose.

Keep out of reach of children.

PIL Link:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.11689.pdf