How does it work?

Normacol granules contain the active ingredient sterculia, which is a type of medicine known as a bulk-forming laxative. Sterculia is a vegetable gum from thekaraya tree. It is a natural dietary fibre that is used to treat constipation, and to help regulate the passage of food through the gut in people with certain long-term bowel disorders.

Sterculia is not absorbed or digested in the stomach or intestines. It swells when it comes into contact with fluids and works by increasing the volume of the gut contents. This stimulates the muscular movement of the gut, which helps to move the stools through the intestines.

When treating constipation the medicine normally produces a laxative effect within 12 hours.

The granules should be taken once or twice a day after meals. They should be placed dry on the tongue and swallowed immediately without chewing or crushing, with plenty of water or a cool drink. The granules may also be sprinkled onto soft food such as yoghurt and swallowed without chewing or crushing. Wash down with a drink.

What is it used for?

• Constipation, including constipation during pregnancy.
• Controlling bowel movement in people with a colostomy or ileostomy.
• Controlling bowel movement in people with diverticular disease of the colon and other conditions requiring a high fibre diet.
• Re-starting and maintaining bowel movement following surgery on the rectum or anus, for example after surgery to remove piles (haemorrhoids).
• People who have swallowed something sharp - to provide a coating around the object and reduce the risk of it damaging the intestine while it passes through the gut.

Warning!

• Normacol granules should be taken after a meal. Make sure you drink plenty of water or other soft drink to wash the granules down, and continue to drink plenty of fluids while you are using the medicine, as otherwise it may cause a blockage in the foodpipe or gut.
• Do not crush or chew the granules.
• You must not take this medicine immediately before going to bed.
• This medicine should not be taken for longer than four days if you have not had a bowel movement. If it hasn't worked after four days stop taking the medicine and consult your doctor for advice.

Use with caution in

• Elderly people.
• Inflammation of the large intestine (ulcerative colitis).
• People on a low salt diet (Normacol granules contain sodium).

Not to be used in

• Children under six years of age.
• People with a blockage in the intestines (intestinal obstruction).
• People with compressed and hardened faeces causing a blockage of the bowel (faecal impaction).
• People with total loss of muscle tone in the intestines.
• Rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency (Normacol granules contain sucrose).

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Label warnings

• This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.
• This medication is to be taken with plenty of water.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence).
• Swelling of the abdomen.
• The foodpipe can become blocked if the medicine is not washed down with enough fluid, or if you take too much of the medicine.
• Obstruction of the intestine or bowel.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not known to affect other medicines. However, if you are already taking any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, it is important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this one as well.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain just sterculia as the active ingredient.