Movicol

What Is Movicol?

Movicol is a laxative that treats constipation. It can be used for short- or long-term constipation problems including faecal impaction (a blockage consisting of many stools in the rectum or colon).

Before taking laxatives to treat constipation, you should first try to make changes to your diet and lifestyle to ease your symptoms:

• Eating high-fibre foods (whole grains and vegetables)
• Drinking lots of water
• Getting plenty of exercise
• Going to the toilet at regular intervals

Sometimes, medicines can cause constipation as a side effect. However, it's important to speak to your doctor if you suspect that your constipation is caused by a medicine you are taking. You should not stop taking a medicine prescribed to you unless your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.

If your constipation persists after making changes to your diet and lifestyle, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist. A healthcare professional can inform you of the treatments available and help you find the right one for you, based on your condition and medical history.

Where Can I Buy Movicol

You can buy Movicol UK over the counter from pharmacies. Alternatively, you can buy Movicol online from a recognised online pharmacy such as Prescription Doctor.

If your order is approved before 3pm on weekdays, our UK registered pharmacy can dispatch your item the same day via a fast and discreet next-day delivery service.

How Does Movicol Work For Constipation?

Constipation occurs when faeces are too hard to pass naturally without a great deal of straining. Movicol softens the faeces allowing it to pass as usual. This medication contains added electrolytes (salts), such as potassium chloride and sodium chloride, which prevent dehydration.

While taking Movicol, it is important to drink plenty of water to ensure that you do not become dehydrated.

However, if dehydration does occur after taking Movicol, seek assistance from a doctor or pharmacist immediately.

How Do I Take Movicol?

Movicol is to be taken as a liquid. It comes in the form of powder within individual sachets; each sachet is one dose.

Empty one sachet of Movicol into a glass and add 125ml of cold water.

Stir the mixture until the powder has dissolved completely. This can take up to 2 minutes, but you should not take the medicine until there is no powder left in the glass.

Once the powder has dissolved, drink all the mixture.

Movicol can be taken with or without food.

For constipation, you can take Movicol up to three times a day.

Movicol is available in three flavours: plain, chocolate, and lemon & lime.

Movicol Side Effects and Cautions

Before taking Movicol, it's important to familiarise yourself with the information presented in the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine. This leaflet contains instructions on how to use and store Movicol, as well as important safety information such as side effects and contraindications.

Alternatively, you can view the patient information leaflet for Movicol online here.

If you have any doubts about anything you read in the leaflet supplied with your medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist for assistance.

Who Should Not Take Movicol?

You should not take Movicol for constipation if:

• You are allergic to any of the ingredients of Movicol
• You have an ileus (blockage in your intestine)
• You have severe IBS including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• You have a perforation in the gut wall

Side effects

All medicines cause side effects, though not everybody experiences them. It is important to remain vigilant of any side effects while taking Movicol.

Side effects of Movicol may include:

• Bloating
• Flatulence (wind)
• Indigestion, stomach ache or rumbles
• Mild diarrhoea
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Soreness of the anus (bottom)
• Vomiting (being sick)

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Movicol, including a complete list of side effects can be found within the patient information leaflet.

Allergies

Do not take Movicol if you are allergic to macrogol 3350 or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Signs of an allergic reaction may include:

• Chest tightening
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes or face
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Wheezing

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, seek medical advice from your doctor before using Movicol.

It is safe to take Movicol when breastfeeding.

Movicol And Other Medications

The majority of medications are safe to take with Movicol. However, if you have been prescribed anti-epileptic drugs, you should discuss the use of Movicol with your doctor first.

You should always let your doctor or pharmacist know about any medication you are taking, whether it has been prescribed or not, before starting a new medication.

Other safety information

Always speak to your doctor before you buy Movicol online from Prescription Doctor.

Please inform our medical team of all medicines you are currently taking, including those prescribed by your doctor, or bought over the counter, as well as health and herbal supplements.

Do not take Movicol past the expiry date printed on the packaging. The date refers to the last day of the specified month. For example, "EXP 03/2025" means the 31st of March 2025.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of them safely on your behalf.

Always store Movicol out of sight and reach from children and pets.

Never share your medicine with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms or have the same condition as you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Table of contents

What is Movicol?

How does Movicol work for constipation?

How do I take Movicol?

Movicol side effects and cautions

Frequently asked questions