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Macrogol

Sounds like 'mak-roe-gol'

Key points about macrogol

Macrogol is a laxative used to treat and prevent constipation.
Macrogol is also called Molaxole, Lax-Sachets or Movicol.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Macrogol is a type of laxative that helps to produce a soft bowel motion (poo). It's used to treat and prevent constipation. It can also be used for relief of very bad constipation, called faecal impaction.

Read more about constipation in adults and constipation in children.

There are many different types of laxatives. Macrogol is referred to as an osmotic laxative, which means that it works by drawing water into your bowel. The bowel becomes filled with extra fluid, which stimulates the muscles of the walls of the bowel to contract and squeeze the poo along, causing a bowel motion. Read more about types of laxatives.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, macrogol for constipation comes as sachets of powder which need to be dissolved in water. Examples include Molaxole, Lax-Sachets and Movicol.

Macrogol is available on prescription or it can be bought over-the-counter from a pharmacy or supermarket.

Note: The information on this page is about taking macrogol for constipation. Macrogol is also used along with other medicines in bowel cleansing preparations that are used to ensure your bowel is free of solid contents before a surgical procedure. Read more about bowel cleansing medicines.

Do you have heart problems?
Do you have other stomach or bowel problems?
Are you pregnant or breast-feeding?
Have you noticed changes in your poo for more than 2 weeks?

If so, it’s important that you tell your doctor before you start taking macrogol. Sometimes a medicine isn’t suitable or it can only be used with extra care.

The dose of macrogol will be different for different people depending on how severe their constipation is and their age.

Some people will be advised to take macrogol for a few days only to relieve constipation while others may be advised to use it regularly, every day to prevent constipation.
Your doctor will develop a plan that tells you how many sachets of macrogol to use in a day. They will explain how to adjust the plan so that you have regular soft poo and will also tell you the maximum number of sachets that you can have in 1 day.
If you're unsure of your dose and how much to take, ask your healthcare provider for advice.
Don’t use it for more than 1 week unless told to by your healthcare provider.

Dissolve each sachet in water as directed before taking. Macrogol must be taken with water.

Follow the instructions on the amount of water to be used – usually, this is at least 125 mL (about half a glass of water) per sachet. Stir the contents of the sachet into the water. Mix well until all the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear or slightly hazy.

If you're unsure about how to use the sachets, ask your pharmacist for advice.

When should the medicine start working?

It may be a few hours, or sometimes a day or more before you have a bowel motion (poo). This will depend on how bad your constipation is and what's causing it. The number of sachets you're advised to take in a day may be increased by your doctor if the macrogol doesn't appear to be working at first.

Here are some things to know when you're taking macrogol. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Drink enough water: If you don't drink enough water with it, the medicine won't work properly and you may become dehydrated.
Improve the taste: If you don't like the taste you can add fruit juice to the diluted macrogol just before drinking it. The medicine will still work properly. Using water that is slightly chilled may be helpful, or try drinking the mixture through a straw.
High-fibre diet: Unless your constipation is due to a side effect of a medicine, try increasing the amount of fibre in your diet (more fruit, vegetables, brown bread and bran-based breakfast cereals) and increase physical activity to maintain healthy bowel function.
Other medicines: Macrogol interacts with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting macrogol and before starting any new products.

Like all medicines, macrogol can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Stomach discomfort Tummy ache Bloating (wind or gas) Diarrhoea (very runny poos)	These don't usually last very long. Tell your doctor if these bother you.
Signs of dehydration such as feeling weak, very thirsty and headache	Tell your doctor.
Allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, swelling of your lips, face and mouth, or difficulty breathing, such as chest tightness or wheezing	This is rare. Tell your doctor immediately or phone Healthline 0800 611 116.