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 Ease 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 Ease 13.7g powder for oral solution but will be referred to as Movicol Ease throughout the rest of this leaflet. It is a laxative for the relief of occasional constipation in adults. It should not be used in children or adolescents under the age of 18 years. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor about alternative Movicol medicinal products that are available for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years. Movicol Ease helps you to have a comfortable bowel movement when you have an episode of constipation. What is constipation? Normal and regular bowel movement is important for most people. However, what is "normal and regular" varies from person to person. Some may have a bowel movement every day, others less often. Whatever it is like for you, it is best that your bowel movement has a regular pattern.
- Constipation is an occasional problem for some people. For others, it may happen more often.
- It happens when the normal muscle actions in the bowel (large intestine) slow down. This can mean that material is not easily eliminated from the body. The cause of constipation is often not known. It can be associated with:
- Sudden change of diet
- A diet with not enough fibre
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Loss of 'tone' of the bowel muscles in older people
- Pregnancy 1
- Medicines such as morphine or codeine
- Having to stay in bed for a long time
- Lack of exercise Whatever the cause, constipation can be uncomfortable. It may make you feel bloated and heavy or generally "off colour". Sometimes, it causes headaches. It is recommended to use changes in diet to control constipation before using this medicine. These healthy tips are recommended to try to prevent constipation happening:
- Eat a balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables
- Drink enough water so that you do not become dehydrated
- Keep up your exercise and stay fit
- Make time to empty your bowels when your body tells you Overuse of laxatives may damage your health by:
- Causing disturbances of electrolyte and mineral balances. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus are electrolytes and minerals that are present in very specific amounts necessary for proper functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Upsetting this delicate balance can cause incorrect functioning of these vital organs.
- Severe dehydration may cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and, in extreme cases, death. Dehydration often requires medical treatment.
What you need to know before you take it
e Movicol Ease Do not take Movicol Ease if your doctor has told you that you have:
- a blockage in your intestine (gut obstruction, paralysis of the intestine (ileus))
- a small hole in your gut wall (a perforated gut wall)
- severe inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or toxic megacolon
- an allergy to the active substances of Movicol Ease (listed in section 6). Warnings and precautions When taking Movicol Ease you should continue to take plenty of fluids. The fluid content of Movicol should not replace your regular liquid intake. Other medicines and Movicol Ease Before taking Movicol Ease, 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 Ease. You should not take any other medicines by mouth together with Movicol Ease and for one hour before and for one hour after taking Movicol Ease. If you need to thicken fluids in order to swallow them safely, Movicol Ease may counteract the effect of the thickener. Pregnancy and breast feeding Movicol Ease can be taken during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your pharmacist or doctor for
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advice before taking Movicol Ease. Driving and using machines Movicol Ease does not affect your ability to drive or use machines. Movicol Ease 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 Ease 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 Ease Adults aged 18 years and over: 1-3 sachets daily. This medicine can be taken at any time with or without food. Dissolve one sachet in 125ml (1/4 pint) of water, 1-3 times per day. This should be taken in divided doses throughout the day, according to the severity of your constipation. 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 Ease solution is clear or slightly hazy, then drink it. Duration of treatment: Movicol Ease should not be used for more than 5 days. If your constipation needs treatment for longer than 5 days, consult your doctor or pharmacist. When regular bowel movements return, you can use fewer doses in a day and usually treatment can be stopped. If you have abdominal pain that does not get better, or you have blood in your bowel movements, you should consult your doctor. If you take more Movicol Ease than you should: You may develop excessive diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. If this occurs, stop taking Movicol Ease and drink plenty of fluids. If you are worried contact your doctor or pharmacist. If you forget to take Movicol Ease: 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. 3
Tell your doctor immediately and stop taking Movicol Ease if you:
- Get a serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing or dizziness, 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 Ease. These side effects generally get better if you reduce the amount of Movicol Ease you take. If you develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluids/electrolytes (e.g. swelling, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration or heart failure (symptoms include breathlessness after activity or at rest, swollen ankles and legs, feeling tired most of the time and find exercise exhausting), you should speak to your doctor and immediately stop taking Movicol Ease. 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 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 Ease Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Movicol Ease 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 Ease 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 Ease contains Each 13.7 g sachet of Movicol Ease contains the following: Macrogol 3350
13.125 g 4
Sodium Chloride 0.3508 g Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate 0.1786 g Potassium Chloride 0.0502 g When it is made into a drink with 125 millilitres of water, each sachet gives the equivalent of: Sodium Chloride Potassium Hydrogen Carbonate
65 millimoles/litre 53 millimoles/litre 5.4 millimoles/litre 17 millimoles/litre
What Movicol Ease looks like and contents of the pack Movicol Ease is a white powder. Movicol Ease is available in tubular (stick-pack) sachets. Movicol Ease is available in boxes of 10 and 20 sachets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Norgine Pharmaceuticals Limited, ARC Uxbridge, Building 01, Sanderson Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1DH, UK Manufacturer: Norgine Limited, New Road, Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan, CF82 8SJ, U.K. Or SOPHARTEX, 21 rue du Pressoir, 28500 VERNOUILLET, France Or Norgine B.V., Antonio Vivaldistraat 150, 1083 HP Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
This leaflet was last revised in 03/2025. 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 Ease 13.7g powder for oral solution
How do I take MOVICOL Ease 13.7g powder for oral solution?
MOVICOL Ease 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 Ease 13.7g powder for oral solution?
The active substance in MOVICOL Ease 13.7g powder for oral solution is macrogol 3350, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride.
Are there equivalent medicines to MOVICOL Ease 13.7g powder for oral solution?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: MOVICOL Ease Citrus Flavour 13.7g powder for oral solution, Movicol 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 Ease 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 Ease 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 relief of occasional constipation.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Do not use for more than 5 days. If constipation needs treatment for longer than 5 days, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted.
As for all laxatives, prolonged use is not recommended.
Adults 18 years and over: 1-3 sachets daily in divided doses, according to individual response. Once regularity in bowel movements has been restarted, dosage should be reduced and treatment can usually be stopped.
Children (below 18 years old): Not recommended. Alternative Movicol products are available for children.
Patients with renal insufficiency: No dosage change is necessary for treatment constipation.
Method of administration
Each sachet should be dissolved in 125ml 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.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Movicol Ease should not be used in children or adolescents under the age of 18 years.
Prolonged excessive use may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalance and hypokalaemia. Patients with kidney disorders should be aware of possible electrolyte imbalance.
Intestinal loss of fluids may promote dehydration. Symptoms may include thirst and oliguria. In patients suffering from fluid loss where dehydration may be harmful (e.g. renal insufficiency, elderly patients) Movicol Ease should be discontinued and only be restarted under medical supervision.
Like all laxatives, Movicol Ease should not be taken by patients suffering from faecal impaction and undiagnosed, acute or persistent gastro-intestinal complaints, e.g. abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, unless advised by a doctor, because these symptoms can be sign of potential or existing intestinal blockage (ileus).
Do not exceed the stated dose.
The fluid content of Movicol Ease when re-constituted with water does not replace regular fluid intake and adequate fluid intake must be maintained.
Mild adverse drug reactions are possible as indicated in Section 4.8. If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/electrolytes, (e.g. oedema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure), Movicol Ease should be stopped immediately, medical advice should be sought, electrolytes should be 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 Ease (see section 4.5).
This medicinal product contains 186.87 mg (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 Ease 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 Ease (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 Ease.
Movicol Ease 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 Ease 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 Ease 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 Ease can be used during breast-feeding.
Fertility
There are no data on the effects of Movicol Ease 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 Ease 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 Ease. 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 reaction, 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 Ease 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.