4.1. Therapeutic indications

For the treatment of chronic constipation in children 2 to 11 years of age.

For the treatment of faecal impaction in children from the age of five years, defined as refractory constipation with faecal loading of the rectum and/or colon.

For the prevention of re-impaction after successful disimpaction in children 2 to 11 years of age.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Chronic constipation

The usual starting dose is 1 sachet daily for children aged 2 to 6 years, and 2 sachets daily for children aged 7 – 11 years. The dose should be adjusted up or down as required to produce regular soft stools. If the dose needs increasing this is best done every second day. The maximum dose needed does not normally exceed 4 sachets a day.

Treatment of children with chronic constipation needs to be or a prolonged period (at least 6 – 12 months). However, safety and efficacy of Compound Macrogol Paediatric has only been proved for a period of up to three months. Treatment should be stopped gradually and resumed if constipation recurs.

Faecal impaction

A course of treatment for faecal impaction with Compound Macrogol Paediatric is for up to 7 days as follows:

Daily dosage regimen:

Number of Compound Macrogol Paediatric sachets

Age (years)

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

5 - 11

4

6

8

10

12

12

12

The daily number of sachets should be taken in divided doses, all consumed within a 12-hour period.

The above dosage regimen should be stopped once disimpaction has occurred. An indicator of disimpaction is the passage of a large volume of stools. After disimpaction it is recommended that the child follows an appropriate bowel management program to prevent reimpaction (dosing for prevention of re-impaction should be as for patients with chronic constipation; see above).

Compound Macrogol Paediatric is not recommended for children below five years of age for the treatment of faecal impaction, or in children below two years of age for the treatment of chronic constipation. For patients of 12 years and older it is recommended to use Compound Macrogol Paediatric.

Patients with impaired cardiovascular function:

There are no clinical data for this group of patients. Therefore, Compound Macrogol Paediatric is not recommended for treating faecal impaction in children with impaired cardiovascular function.

Patients with renal insufficiency:

There are no clinical data for this group of patients. Therefore, Compound Macrogol Paediatric is not recommended for treating faecal impaction in children with impaired renal function.

Method of administration

Each sachet should be dissolved in 62.5 ml (quarter of a glass) of water. The correct number of sachets may be reconstituted in advance and kept covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. For example, for use in faecal impaction, 12 sachets can be made up into 750 ml 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 substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

The fluid content of Compound Macrogol Paediatric when re-constituted with water does not replace regular fluid intake and adequate fluid intake must be maintained.

Diagnosis of faecal impaction/faecal loading of the rectum should be confirmed by the physical or radiological examination of the abdomen and rectum.

Rarely symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/electrolytes e.g. oedema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration and cardiac failure have been reported in adults when using preparations containing macrogol. If this occurs Compound Macrogol Paediatric should be stopped immediately, electrolytes measured, and any abnormality should be treated appropriately.

When used in high doses to treat faecal impaction this medicinal product should be administered with caution to patients with impaired gag reflex, reflux oesophagitis or diminished levels of consciousness.

In case of diarrhoea, caution should be exercised, particularly in patients who are at higher risk for water -electrolyte balance disorders (e.g. the elderly, patients with impaired hepatic or renal function or patients taking diuretics) and electrolyte control should be considered.

If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/ electrolytes (e.g. oedema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure) Macrogol should be stopped immediately, electrolytes measured, and any abnormality treated appropriately.

Compound Macrogol Paediatric solution when reconstituted has no calorific value.

The absorption of other medicinal products could transiently be reduced due to an increase in gastro-intestinal transit rate induced by Compound Macrogol Paediatric (see section 4.5).

Compound Macrogol Paediatric contains 0.3106 mmol (12.11 mg) of potassium per sachet. This should be taken into consideration if the patient takes more than one sachet daily and has reduced kidney function or is on a controlled potassium diet.

Compound Macrogol Paediatric contains 93.4 mg (4.062 mmol) sodium (main component of cooking /table salt) per sachet. This is equivalent to 4.6% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.

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.

Avoid mixing PEG laxatives and starch-based thickeners in patients with dysphagia, considered at risk of aspiration

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Medicinal products in solid dose form taken within one hour of administration of large volumes of macrogol preparations (as used when treating faecal impaction) may be flushed from the gastrointestinal tract and not absorbed.

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 Compound Macrogol Paediatric (see section 4.4). There have been isolated reports of decreased efficacy with some concomitantly administered medicinal products, e.g. anti-epileptics.

Compound Macrogol Paediatric may result in a potential interactive effect when used with starch-based food thickeners. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) 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 Compound Macrogol Paediatric 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.

Compound Macrogol Paediatric 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.

Compound Macrogol Paediatric can be used during breast-feeding.

Fertility

There are no data on the effects of Compound Macrogol Paediatric 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

Compound Macrogol Paediatric has no or negligible 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 Compound Macrogol Paediatric.

In the treatment of chronic constipation, diarrhoea or loose stools normally respond to a reduction in dose.

Diarrhoea, abdominal distension, anal discomfort and mild vomiting are more often observed during the treatment for faecal impaction. Vomiting may be resolved if the dose is reduced or delayed.

The frequency of the adverse reactions listed below is defined using the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100, <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000, <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000, <1/1000); and very rare (<1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

System Organ Class

Frequency

Adverse event

Immune system disorders

Rare

Allergic reactions including anaphylactic reaction.

Not known

Dyspnoea and skin reaction (see below)Angioedema, dyspnoea, rash, erythema, urticaria and pruritus.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Not known

Allergic skin reactions including angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, rash, erythema

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Not known

Electrolyte disturbances, particularly hyperkalaemia and hypokalaemia

Nervous system disorders

Not known

Headache.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common

Abdominal pain, borborygmi.

Common

Diarrhoea vomiting, nausea, and anorectal discomfort.

Uncommon

Abdominal distension, flatulence.

Not known

Dyspepsia and peri-anal inflammation.

General disorders and administration site conditions

Not known

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 the Yellow Card Scheme at Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

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.