lCONTRA-INDICATIONSAcute abdominal conditions.acute
inflammatory bowel disease.intestinal obstruction.
severe dehydration
lCAUTIONSExcessive use of stimulant laxatives can cause
diarrhoea and related effects such as hypokalaemia.may
cause local irritation.rodentstudies indicate potential
carcinogenic risk
CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION
▶Local irritationAvoid prolonged contact with skin (as in
incontinent patients or infants wearing nappies—risk of
irritation and excoriation).
lSIDE-EFFECTSAbdominal cramps.asthenia.
gastrointestinal disorders.hypermagnesaemia.skin
reactions.urine red
lPREGNANCYManufacturers advise avoid—limited
information available.
lBREAST FEEDINGManufacturers advise avoid—no
information available.lMEDICINAL FORMS
There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines
containing the same drug.
Oral suspension
CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 14 (urine red)
▶Co-danthramer (Non-proprietary)
Dantron 5 mg per 1 ml, Poloxamer 188 40 mg per 1 mlCo-
danthramer 25 mg/ 200 mg/ 5 ml oral suspension sugar-free|
300 mlP£ 169. 28 DT = £ 168. 93
Dantron 15 mg per 1 ml, Poloxamer 188 200 mg per 1 mlCo-
danthramer 75 mg/ 1000 mg/ 5 ml oral suspension sugar-free|
300 mlP£ 337. 73 DT = £ 337. 05Co-danthrusate 20-Apr-2016
lINDICATIONS AND DOSE
Constipation in terminally ill patients
▶BY MOUTH USING CAPSULES
▶Child 6–11 years: 1 capsule once daily, to be taken at
night
▶Child 12–17 years: 1 – 3 capsules once daily, to be taken at
night
▶BY MOUTH USING ORAL SUSPENSION
▶Child 6–11 years: 5 mL once daily, to be taken at night
▶Child 12–17 years: 5 – 15 mL once daily, to be taken at
night
DOSE EQUIVALENCE AND CONVERSION
▶Co-danthrusate suspension contains dantron 50 mg
and docusate 60 mg per 5 mL.
▶Co-danthrusate capsules contain dantron 50 mg and
docusate 60 mg per capsule.lCONTRA-INDICATIONSAcute abdominal conditions.acute
inflammatory bowel disease.intestinal obstruction.
severe dehydration
lCAUTIONSExcessive use of stimulant laxatives can cause
diarrhoea and related effects such as hypokalaemia.may
cause local irritation.rodentstudies indicate potential
carcinogenic risk
CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION
▶Local irritationAvoid prolonged contact with skin (as in
incontinent patients or infants wearing nappies—risk of
irritation and excoriation).
lSIDE-EFFECTSGastrointestinal disorders.skin reactions.
urine orange
lPREGNANCYManufacturers advise avoid—limited
information available.
lBREAST FEEDINGManufacturers advise avoid—no
information available.lMEDICINAL FORMS
There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines
containing the same drug.
Oral suspension
CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 14 (urine orange)
▶Co-danthrusate (Non-proprietary)
Dantron 10 mg per 1 ml, Docusate sodium 12 mg per 1 mlCo-
danthrusate 50 mg/ 60 mg/ 5 ml oral suspension sugar-free|
200 mlP£ 154. 40 DT = £ 154. 40
Capsule
CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 14 (urine orange)
▶Co-danthrusate (Non-proprietary)
Dantron 50 mg, Docusate sodium 60 mgCo-danthrusate
50 mg/ 60 mg capsules| 63 capsulePsGlycerol
(Glycerin)
lINDICATIONS AND DOSE
Constipation
▶BY RECTUM
▶Child 1–11 months: 1 g as required
▶Child 1–11 years: 2 g as required
▶Child 12–17 years: 4 g as requiredlDIRECTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIONMoisten suppositories
with water before insertion.
lPRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING INFORMATIONWhen
prepared extemporaneously, the BP states Glycerol
Suppositories, BP consists of gelatin 140 mg, glycerol
700 mg, purified water to 1 g.
lPATIENT AND CARER ADVICE
Medicines for Children leaflet: Glycerin (glycerol) suppositories for
constipationwww.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/glycerin-
glycerol-suppositories-for-constipationlMEDICINAL FORMS
There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines
containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order
manufacturers include: suppository
Suppository
▶Glycerol (Non-proprietary)
Glycerol 700 mgGlycerol 1 g suppositories| 12 suppositoryG
£ 1. 75 DT = £ 1. 04
Glycerol 1400 mgGlycerol 2 g suppositories| 12 suppositoryG
£ 1. 78 DT = £ 1. 70
Glycerol 2800 mgGlycerol 4 g suppositories| 12 suppositoryG
£ 1. 31 DT = £ 1. 16Senna 20-Jul-2017
lDRUG ACTIONSenna is a stimulant laxative. After
metabolism of sennosides in the gut the anthrone
component stimulates peristalsis thereby increasing the
motility of the large intestine.lINDICATIONS AND DOSE
Constipation
▶BY MOUTH USING TABLETS
▶Child 2–3 years: 3. 75 – 15 mg once daily, adjusted
according to response
▶Child 4–5 years: 3. 75 – 30 mg once daily, adjusted
according to response
▶Child 6–17 years: 7. 5 – 30 mg once daily, adjusted
according to response
▶BY MOUTH USING SYRUP
▶Child 1 month–3 years: 3. 75 – 15 mg once daily, adjusted
according to response
▶Child 4–17 years: 3. 75 – 30 mg once daily, adjusted
according to response
PHARMACOKINETICS
▶Onset of action 8 – 12 hours.46 Constipation and bowel cleansing BNFC 2018 – 2019
Gastro-intestinal system1