Dosage
Dosage for constipation
The amount of macrogol you take depends on how bad your constipation is. Ask a pharmacist for advice if you're not sure.
The usual dose for constipation for adults and children aged 12 years and over is:
- full-strength powder sachets (contains around 13g of macrogol) – 1 sachet, taken 1 to 3 times a day
- half-strength powder sachets (contains around 6g of macrogol) – 1 sachet, taken 2 to 6 times a day in divided doses
- ready-to-drink solution – 1 sachet, taken 1 to 3 times a day
- liquid – 25ml diluted in 100ml of water, taken 1 to 3 times a day
The usual dose of sachets for constipation for children aged under 12 years (paediatric sachets) is:
- 6 to 11 years – 1 sachet, taken twice a day (up to 4 times if recommended by a doctor)
- 12 months to 5 years – 1 sachet a day (up to 4 times a day if recommended by a doctor)
- 1 to 11 months – half to 1 sachet a day
Children under 12 do not need to take all of the drink at one time. They can take half in the morning and half in the evening.
Dosage for faecal impaction
A doctor will tell you if you have faecal impaction and they will advise you on how much macrogol to take.
The usual dose for faecal impaction for adults and children aged 12 years and over is:
- full-strength powder sachets (contains around 13g of macrogol) – 4 sachets on the first day, then increase by 2 sachets a day, to a maximum of 8 sachets a day, taken in divided doses
- half-strength powder sachets (contains around 6g of macrogol) – 8 sachets on the first day, then increase by 4 sachets a day, up to a maximum of 16 sachets a day, taken in divided doses
The usual dose of sachets for faecal impaction for children (paediatric sachets) is:
- 5 to 11 years – 4 sachets on the first day, then increase by 2 sachets a day to a maximum of 12 sachets a day, taken in divided doses
- 12 months to 4 years – 2 sachets on the first day, then 4 sachets a day for 2 days, then 6 sachets a day for 2 days, then 8 sachets a day
- 1 to 11 months – half to 1 sachet once a day
Important
Only give macrogol paediatric sachets to children under 12 years old if a doctor has prescribed it.
How to take it
How you take macrogol depends on what type you're taking. If you're not sure which type of macrogol you have and how to take it, read the information in the packet or speak to a pharmacist.
You can take macrogol with or without food.
Ready-to-drink sachets
Drink the contents straight from the packet.
Powder sachets
Dissolve each sachet in 125ml (one-quarter of a pint) of water, or 62.5ml (one-eighth of a pint) of water if you're giving paediatric sachets to a child. Stir well, then drink.
These are usually flavoured, but if you or your child do not like the flavour, you can add fruit squash to the drink and the medicine will still work properly.
Never swallow the powder without water. If you have severe faecal impaction, it's important to drink extra fluids (water if possible) every day as well as your usual amount.
It's also important with faecal impaction for you (or a child aged 12 years or older) to drink the daily dose within a 6-hour period. If your child is under 12 years old, make sure they drink the full daily dose within 12 hours.
Liquid (in a bottle)
You need to dilute the liquid before drinking it.
Open the bottle and measure 25ml (or five 5ml spoonfuls). If you do not have a 5ml medicine spoon, ask a pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.
Pour this into half a glass of water (100ml). Stir well until all the liquid has been evenly mixed and it looks clear, then drink it.
Make sure you or your child finish the whole drink. You can drink it in one go or sip it over 30 minutes. It might help to use a straw. You can make the mixture in advance if you need to take it to work or school.
How long to take it for
You can take macrogol for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as a doctor has recommended. This will usually be for up to 2 weeks.
Usually, it's best to only take macrogol when you have constipation. You can stop taking it for short-term constipation if you're going to the toilet as normal.
However, a doctor may recommend taking it for many months if you or your child have serious constipation or take medicines that cause constipation.
For long-term treatment, the dose can usually be lowered to either 1 or 2 sachets a day.
For faecal impaction, you'll usually only need to take macrogol for up to 3 days, but you may be given a lower dose to take for a little longer.
If you forget to take it
If you forget a dose of macrogol, just skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If a doctor has told you to take macrogol every day and you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking an extra dose of macrogol is unlikely to harm you. You may get diarrhoea and stomach pain but this should ease within a day or two. If it does not, stop taking macrogol and wait for the diarrhoea and stomach pain to pass.
If you're worried, talk to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.