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 Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate 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 chloride, Sodium hydrogen carbonate 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 Liquid Orange flavour 13.7g/25ml Concentrate for oral solution. It is a laxative for the treatment of chronic constipation in adults, adolescents and elderly. It is not recommended for children below 12 years of age. Movicol Liquid Orange flavour helps you to have a comfortable bowel movement even if you have been constipated for a long time. You must not use Movicol Liquid Orange flavour if you have a very bad constipation called faecal impaction. 2.
What you need to know before you take it
e Movicol Liquid Orange flavour
Do not take Movicol Liquid Orange flavour if your doctor has told you that you have:
- a blockage in your intestine (gut obstruction, ileus) 1
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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 Liquid Orange flavour (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions When taking Movicol Liquid Orange flavour you should continue to take plenty of fluids. The fluid content of Movicol should not replace your regular liquid intake. Other medicines and Movicol Liquid Orange flavour Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines, e.g. anti-epileptics (medicines for epilepsy), may not work as effectively during use with Movicol Liquid Orange flavour. You should not take any other medicines by mouth together with Movicol Liquid Orange flavour and for one hour before and for one hour after taking Movicol Liquid Orange flavour. If you need to thicken fluids in order to swallow them safely, Movicol Liquid Orange flavour may counteract the effect of the thickener. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Movicol Liquid Orange flavour can be taken during pregnancy and whilst breast feeding. If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast feeding, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice before taking Movicol Liquid Orange flavour. Driving and using machines Movicol Liquid Orange flavour does not affect your ability to drive or use machines. Movicol Liquid Orange flavour contains ethyl parahydroxybenzoate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, alcohol (ethanol), benzyl alcohol and sodium. This medicine contains ethyl and methyl parahydroxybenzoate which may cause allergic reactions, possibly delayed. This medicine contains 74.6 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in 25 mL concentrate for oral solution, which is equivalent to 3.0 mg of alcohol (ethanol) per mL. The amount in 25 mL concentrate for oral solution of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2 mL of beer or 1 mL of wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects. This medicine contains 45.6mg of benzyl alcohol in each diluted dose of 125ml. 2
Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you have a liver or kidney disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because large amounts of benzyl alcohol can build-up in your body and may cause side effects (called "metabolic acidosis"). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need 3 doses daily for a prolonged period, especially if you have been advised to follow a low salt (sodium) diet. Movicol Liquid Orange flavour contains 186.87 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) per 25ml dose. This is equivalent to 9.3% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult. Do not exceed the stated dose. 3.
How to take it
Movicol Liquid Orange flavour
This medicine can be taken at any time with or without food. This product must be diluted before use. A dose of Movicol Liquid Orange flavour is 25 ml liquid diluted in 100 ml of water. Take this 1-3 times a day according to the severity of your constipation. How to mix: Open the bottle and measure 25 ml or five 5 ml teaspoonfuls. Pour the liquid into a glass and then add 100ml (about half a glassful) of water. Stir well until all the liquid has been evenly mixed and the diluted Movicol Liquid Orange flavour solution is clear, then drink it. Please rinse the dosing cup after use and replace on the bottle. Duration of treatment: Treatment with Movicol Liquid Orange flavour usually lasts for about 2 weeks. If you need to take Movicol Liquid Orange flavour 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 Liquid Orange flavour for longer than 2 weeks. Usually for long term treatment the dose can be lowered to either 1 or 2 doses a day. If you take more Movicol Liquid Orange flavour than you should You may develop excessive diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. If this occurs, stop taking Movicol Liquid Orange flavour and drink plenty of fluids. If you are worried contact your doctor or pharmacist.
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If you forget to take Movicol Liquid Orange flavour 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. If you have a serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, tell your doctor immediately and stop taking Movicol Liquid Orange flavour. Other allergic reactions may occur which may cause a skin rash,itching, reddening of the skin or a nettle rash, swollen hands, feet or ankles and headache. Other side effects may also include indigestion, stomach ache and rumbles and high and low levels of potassium in the blood. You may also feel bloated, suffer from wind, feel sick or vomit, may also experience soreness of the anus (bottom) and may have mild diahorrea when starting to take Movicol Liquid Orange flavour which generally gets better if you reduce the amount of Movicol Liquid Orange flavour 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 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. 5.
How to store it
Movicol Liquid Orange Flavour
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Movicol Liquid Orange flavour after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Discard any remaining product 30 days after first opening the bottle. Once you have diluted Movicol Liquid Orange flavour in water, if you cannot drink it straight away keep it covered. Throw away any solution not used within a 6-hour period.
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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. 6.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Movicol Liquid Orange flavour contains Each 25 ml of Movicol Liquid Orange flavour contains the following: Macrogol 3350 Sodium Chloride Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate Potassium Chloride
13.125 g 0.3507 g 0.1785 g 0.0466 g
Movicol Liquid Orange flavour also contains purified water, orange flavour, and acesulfame potassium (E950) and sucralose (E955) as sweeteners. It also contains a preservative which contains benzyl alcohol (E1519), methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (E214). See section 2 "Movicol Liquid Orange flavour contains ethyl parahydroxybenzoate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, alcohol (ethanol), benzyl alcohol and sodium". Orange flavour contains the following ingredients: flavouring substances, flavouring preparations and a small amount of alcohol (ethanol). When each 25 ml is made into a drink with 100 millilitres of water, it gives the equivalent of: Sodium 65 millimoles/litre Chloride 53 millimoles/litre Potassium 5.4 millimoles/litre Hydrogen Carbonate 17 millimoles/litre
What Movicol Liquid Orange flavour looks like and contents of the pack Movicol Liquid Orange flavour is a clear, colourless liquid.
Each pack consists of a carton with a plastic bottle of Movicol Liquid Orange flavour containing 500 ml of solution and a plastic dosing cup. Marketing Authorisation Holder Norgine Pharmaceuticals Limited, ARC Uxbridge, Building 01, Sanderson Road, Uxbridge,
5
UB8 1DH, UK
Manufacturer: Norgine Pharma Dreux, 29, Rue Ethé Virton, 28109 Dreux Cedex, France. 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 Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate for oral solution
How do I take MOVICOL Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate for oral solution?
MOVICOL Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate for oral solution comes as oral solution. 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 Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate for oral solution?
The active substance in MOVICOL Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate for oral solution is macrogol 3350, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Are there equivalent medicines to MOVICOL Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate for oral solution?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: CosmoCol Plain powder for oral solution, Cosmocol lemon and lime flavour powder for oral solution, Cosmocol orange flavour powder for oral solution. In total there are 6 equivalent products. 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 Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate 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 Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate 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 chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate
- 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.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
A course of treatment for constipation with Movicol Liquid Orange flavour 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: 25 ml diluted in 100 ml of water 1-3 times daily in divided doses, according to individual response.
For extended use, the dose can be adjusted down to 1 or 2 doses per day of 25 ml diluted in 100 ml of water.
Children: Movicol Liquid Orange flavour is not recommended for use in children below the age of 12 years. Alternative Movicol products are available for children.
Patients with renal insufficiency: No dosage change is necessary for the treatment of constipation (see section 4.4 for warning about excipients).
Faecal impaction: Movicol Liquid Orange flavour is not recommended for use for the treatment of faecal impaction (see section 4.4). Alternative Movicol products are available for the treatment of faecal impaction.
Method of administration
The product must not be taken undiluted and may only be diluted in water. For instructions on dilution of the product before administration, see section 6.6.
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 Liquid Orange flavour 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 fluids/electrolytes, (e.g. oedema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure), Movicol Liquid Orange flavour 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 Liquid Orange flavour (see section 4.5).
This medicinal product contains 8.125 mmol of sodium in each diluted dose of 125 ml. The sodium content of Movicol Liquid Orange flavour should be taken into consideration when administering the product to patients on a controlled sodium diet.
This medicinal product contains 45.6 mg of benzyl alcohol in each 25 ml dose which is equivalent to 1.825 mg/ml. Benzyl alcohol may cause anaphylactoid reactions.
High volumes of benzyl alcohol should be used with caution and only if necessary, especially in subjects with kidney or liver impairment and during pregnancy/breast feeding because of the risk of accumulation and toxicity (metabolic acidosis) of benzyl alcohol.
This medicine contains 74.6 mg of ethanol in 25 mL concentrate for oral solution, which is equivalent to 3.0 mg of ethanol per mL. The amount in 25 mL concentrate for oral solution of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2 mL of beer or 1 mL of wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.
This product contains ethyl (E214) and methyl (E218) parahydroxybenzoates which may cause allergic reactions, possibly delayed.
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 Liquid Orange flavour 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 Liquid Orange flavour (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 Liquid Orange flavour.
Movicol Liquid Orange flavour 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.
Breast-feeding
No effects on the breastfed new born/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 Liquid Orange flavour 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 Liquid Orange flavour. Mild diarrhoea usually responds to dose reduction.
The frequency of the adverse events 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 Liquid Orange flavour, concentrate 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.
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