When a pharmaceutical company changes an SPC or PIL, a new version is published on medicines.ie. For each version, we show the dates it was published on medicines.ie and the reasons for change.
Macrogol 3350 acts by virtue of its osmotic action in the gut, which induces a laxative effect. The electrolytes also present in the formulation ensure that there is virtually no net gain or loss of sodium, potassium or water. The laxative action of macrogol 3350 has a time course, which will vary according to the severity of the faecal impaction being treated. Macrogol 3350 increases the stool volume, which triggers colon motility via neuromuscular pathways. The physiological consequence is an improved propulsive colonic transportation of the softened stools and a facilitation of the defaecation. Electrolytes combined with macrogol 3350 are exchanged across the intestinal barrier (mucosa) with serum electrolytes and excreted in faecal water without net gain or loss of sodium, potassium and water.
Section 5.2:
Macrogol 3350 is unchanged along the gut. It is virtually unabsorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and has no known pharmacological activity. Any
Section 10: Nov 2006