Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Macrogol 3350, Potassium chloride, Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium chloride may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for The name of this medicine is Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution. It is a laxative for the treatment of constipation in adults, adolescents and elderly. It is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. Movicol helps you to have a comfortable bowel movement even if you have been constipated for a long time. Movicol also works in very bad constipation called faecal impaction.
What you need to know before you take it
e Movicol Do not take Movicol if your doctor has told you that you have:
- a blockage in your intestine (gut obstruction, ileus)
- a perforated gut wall
- severe inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or toxic megacolon
- an allergy to the active substances or any of the other ingredients of Movicol (listed in section 6). Warnings and precautions When taking Movicol you should continue to take plenty of fluids. The fluid content of Movicol should not replace your regular liquid intake. Heart conditions Follow the special instructions in section 3 if you are taking Movicol for faecal impaction. 1
Other medicines and Movicol Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines, e.g. anti-epileptics, may not work as effectively during use with Movicol. You should not take any other medicines by mouth together with Movicol and for one hour before and for one hour after taking Movicol. If you need to thicken fluids in order to swallow them safely, Movicol may counteract the effect of the thickener. Pregnancy and breast feeding Movicol can be taken during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice before taking Movicol. Driving and using machines Movicol does not affect your ability to drive or use machines. Movicol contains sodium Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need 3 or more sachets daily for a prolonged period, especially if you have been advised to follow a low salt (sodium) diet. Movicol contains 186.87 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) per sachet. This is equivalent to 9.3% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
How to take it
Movicol This medicine can be taken at any time with or without food. Dissolve the content of each sachet in 125ml (1/4 pint) of water and drink. Constipation: A dose of Movicol is 1 sachet dissolved in 125 ml (1/4 pint) of water. Take this 1 – 3 times a day according to the severity of your constipation. Faecal impaction: Before you take Movicol for faecal impaction, it should be confirmed that you have this condition. A dose of 8 sachets a day of Movicol is needed for the treatment of faecal impaction. Each sachet dissolved in 125ml (1/4 pint) of water. The 8 sachets should be taken within 6 hours for up to 3 days if required. If you have a heart condition, do not take more than 2 sachets in any one hour.
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How to mix: Open the sachet and pour the contents into a glass. Add about 125ml or 1⁄4 pint of water to the glass. Stir well until all the powder has dissolved and the Movicol solution is clear or slightly hazy, then drink it. If you are taking Movicol for faecal impaction it may be easier to dissolve 8 sachets in 1 litre of water. Duration of treatment: Constipation: Treatment with Movicol usually lasts for about 2 weeks. If you need to take Movicol for longer, please see your doctor. If your constipation is caused by an illness such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis (MS), or if you take medicines that cause constipation your doctor may recommend that you take Movicol for longer than 2 weeks. If you need to take Movicol for longer, please see your doctor. Usually for long term treatment the dose can be lowered to either 1 or 2 sachets a day. Faecal impaction: Treatment with Movicol can be for up to 3 days. If you take more Movicol than you should: You may develop excessive diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. If this occurs, stop taking Movicol and drink plenty of fluids. If you are worried contact your doctor or pharmacist. If you forget to take Movicol: Take the dose as soon as you remember to take it. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor immediately and stop taking Movicol if you:
- Get a serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. Other side effects include: Allergic reactions which may cause a skin rash, itching, reddening of the skin or a nettle rash, swollen hands, feet or ankles, headaches and high and low levels of potassium in the blood. Sometimes you may have indigestion, stomach ache or rumbles. You may also feel bloated, suffer from wind, feel sick or vomit, may also experience soreness of the anus (bottom) and may have mild diarrhoea when starting to take Movicol. These side effects generally get better if you reduce the amount of Movicol you take. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any
Possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly 3
via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Movicol Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Movicol after the expiry date which is stated on the sachet and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Once you have made up Movicol in water, if you cannot drink it straight away keep it covered and in the fridge (2°C – 8°C). Throw away any solution not used within a 6 hour period. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Movicol contains Each sachet of Movicol contains the following: Macrogol 3350 Sodium Chloride Sodium Bicarbonate Potassium Chloride
13.125 g 0.3507 g 0.1785 g 0.0466 g
Movicol also contains lime and lemon flavour, and acesulfame potassium as a sweetener. Lemon and lime flavour contains the following ingredients: acacia solids, maltodextrin, lime oil, lemon oil, citral, citric acid and water. When it is made into a drink with 125 millilitres of water, each sachet gives the equivalent of: Sodium Chloride Potassium Bicarbonate
65 millimoles/litre 53 millimoles/litre 5.4 millimoles/litre 17 millimoles/litre
What Movicol looks like and contents of the pack Movicol is available in rectangular sachets and tubular (stick-pack) sachets. Movicol is a white powder. Movicol is available in boxes of 2, 6, 8, 10, 20, 28, 30, 50, 60 or 100 sachets.
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Not all sachets and pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Norgine Limited, New Road, Tir-Y-Berth, Hengoed, Wales, CF82 8SJ, UK Manufacturer: Norgine Limited, New Road, Tir-y-Berth, Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan, CF82 8SJ, U.K. Or Laboratoires Macors, Rue des Caillottes, Zi De La Plaine Des Isles 89000 Auxerre, France. Or Sophartex, 21 rue du Pressoir 28500 Vernouillet France. Or Norgine B.V., Antonio Vivaldistraat 150, 1083 HP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Or Meribel Pharma Höganäs AB, Sporthallsvägen 6, 263 35 Höganäs, Sweden. This leaflet was last revised in 12/2025. Other sources of information If you need the information on this leaflet in an alternative format, such as large print, or Braille please ring 0800 198 5000.
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Frequently asked questions about Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution
How do I take Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution?
Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution comes as oral solution containing 13.7g. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution?
The active substance in Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution is macrogol 3350, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride.
Are there equivalent medicines to Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: MOVICOL Ease 13.7g powder for oral solution, MOVICOL Ease Citrus Flavour 13.7g powder for oral solution. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: macrogol 3350, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
For the treatment of chronic constipation. Movicol is also effective in resolving faecal impaction, defined as refractory constipation with faecal loading of the rectum and/or colon.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Chronic constipation
A course of treatment for constipation with Movicol does not normally exceed 2 weeks, although this can be repeated if required.
As for all laxatives, prolonged use is not usually recommended. Extended use may be necessary in the care of patients with severe chronic or resistant constipation, secondary to multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease, or induced by regular constipating medication in particular opioids and antimuscarinics.
Adults, adolescents and older people: 1 – 3 sachets daily in divided doses, according to individual response.
For extended use, the dose can be adjusted down to 1 or 2 sachets daily.
Children (below 12 years old): Not recommended. Alternative products are available for children.
Faecal impaction
A course of treatment for faecal impaction with Movicol does not normally exceed 3 days.
Adults, adolescents and the older people: 8 sachets daily, all of which should be consumed within a 6 hour period.
Children (below 12 years old): Not recommended. Alternative Movicol products are available for children.
Patients with impaired cardiovascular function: For the treatment of faecal impaction the dose should be divided so that no more than two sachets are taken in any one hour.
Patients with renal insufficiency: No dosage change is necessary for treatment of either constipation or faecal impaction.
Method of administration
Each sachet should be dissolved in 125 ml water. For use in faecal impaction 8 sachets may be dissolved in 1 litre of water.
4.3. Contraindications
Intestinal perforation or obstruction due to structural or functional disorder of the gut wall, ileus, severe inflammatory conditions of the intestinal tract, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and toxic megacolon.
Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
The fluid content of Movicol when re-constituted with water does not replace regular fluid intake and adequate fluid intake must be maintained.
Diagnosis of impaction/faecal loading of the rectum should be confirmed by physical or radiological examination of the abdomen and rectum.
Mild adverse drug reactions are possible as indicated in Section 4.8. If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluids/electrolytes (e.g. oedema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure) Movicol should be stopped immediately and electrolytes measured, and any abnormality should be treated appropriately.
The absorption of other medicinal products could transiently be reduced due to an increase in gastro-intestinal transit rate induced by Movicol (see section 4.5).
This medicinal product contains 186.87mg (8.125 mmol) sodium per dose, equivalent to 9.3% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake for sodium. When used long term for constipation the maximum daily dose of this product is equivalent to 28% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake for sodium. Movicol is considered high in sodium. This should be particularly taken into account for those on a low salt diet.
In patients with swallowing problems, who need the addition of a thickener to solutions to enhance an appropriate intake, interactions should be considered, see section 4.5.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Macrogol raises the solubility of medicinal products that are soluble in alcohol and relatively insoluble in water.
There is a possibility that the absorption of other medicinal products could be transiently reduced during use with Movicol (see section 4.4). There have been isolated reports of decreased efficacy with some concomitantly administered medicinal products, e.g. anti-epileptics. Therefore, other medicines should not be taken orally for one hour before, during and for one hour after taking Movicol.
Movicol may result in a potential interactive effect if used with starch-based food thickeners. The Macrogol ingredient counteracts the thickening effect of starch, effectively liquefying preparations that need to remain thick for people with swallowing problems.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are limited amount of data from the use of Movicol in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown indirect reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Clinically, no effects during pregnancy are anticipated, since systemic exposure to macrogol 3350 is negligible.
Movicol can be used during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
No effects on the breastfed newborn/infant are anticipated since the systemic exposure of the breast-feeding woman to Macrogol 3350 is negligible.
Movicol can be used during breast-feeding.
Fertility
There are no data on the effects of Movicol on fertility in humans. There were no effects on fertility in studies in male and female rats (see section 5.3).
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Movicol has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Reactions related to the gastrointestinal tract occur most commonly.
These reactions may occur as a consequence of expansion of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract, and an increase in motility due to the pharmacologic effects of Movicol. Mild diarrhoea usually responds to dose reduction.
The frequency of the adverse effects is not known as it cannot be estimated from the available data.
System Organ Class
Adverse Event
Immune system disorders
Allergic reactions, including anaphylactic reactions, dyspnoea and skin reactions (see below)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Allergic skin reactions including angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, rash, erythema.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Electrolyte disturbances, particularly hyperkalaemia and hypokalaemia.
Nervous system disorders
Headache.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, borborygmi, flatulence and anorectal discomfort.
General disorders and administration site conditions
Peripheral oedema.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Severe abdominal pain or distension can be treated by nasogastric aspiration. Extensive fluid loss by diarrhoea or vomiting may require correction of electrolyte disturbances.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Movicol 13.7g, powder for oral solution. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.