Movicol is a commonly prescribed constipation and faecal impaction treatment. Available in the form of a powder provided in a sachet that should be mixed with water in order to make a drinkable solution, Movicol is developed by Norgine pharmaceutical company. A prescription-only medication, this treatment is highly adept at alleviating constipation and faecal impaction by facilitating bowel movements with just two applications per day (three in especially severe cases). Due to its ease of use and high success rates, Movicol is a very popular treatment in the UK, preferred by doctors and patients alike.

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Do I need prescription medications?

Constipation is one of those rather common conditions that practically everybody will experience at least once. And these fairly common conditions are often accompanied by the question of whether prescription treatment really is necessary. Of course, this is a question that can be answered only by your doctor after he has thoroughly reviewed your medical profile and  history. In majority of cases, constipation will either go away on its own, or it will require certain dietary changes (such as increase in fibre and fluid intake) before signs of improvement can be noticed.

However, in some cases, constipation can also be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (or IBS for short). Depending on the exact nature of the condition that might be at the root of constipation issues, treatment of that condition might be the best course of action. However, in those cases when no direct realtion of the kind can be established and dietary changes don’t seem to produce any results, the doctor will recommend prescription medication in order to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms and contribute to quicker normalisation of bowel movements.

How does Movicol help with constipation?

The efficiency of Movicol is, first and foremost, rooted in its active ingredient called macrogol. However, aside from this primary active ingredient, Movicol also contains sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride which are, however, not active ingredients in the narrower sense of the word, but are included into the medicine so they could help body replenish the salts and minerals that might be lost once macrogol kicks in.

Macrogol, the main active ingredient of Movicol is a pharmaceutical compound with unique properties – it won’t be absorbed by the gut it passes through, but will instead move unaffected, carrying the water it has been mixed with along the way. Once the medication and the water reach the stool in the bowels, they will hydrate it, making it easier to expel, thus providing relief from constipation.

Can I buy Movicol online in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to buy Movicol online. However, you should keep in mind that you can obtain this medication in the UK only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. Luckily, getting a prescription has never been easier and now you can do that from the comfort of your home, through any of numerous online clinics operating within the United Kingdom.

However, it is important to note that you will have to undergo consultations with a doctor regardless of whether you’re planning to buy Movicol online or in your local pharmacy. If you chose the former option, you will most likely be presented with a detailed medical questionnaire that you will have to fill in. By reviewing your answers, the doctor employed at the online clinic of your choice will get a detailed insight into your medical profile and history. Only after this, he will be able to make an informed decision and properly assess your suitability for Movicol treatment, issuing a prescription or recommending an alternative such as Fybogel Mebeverine.

If everything checks out, the prescription will be issued and used that very same moment to have the medicine sent from a partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the sign up process.

How is Movicol used?

Whenever you are taking any prescription medication, regardless of the condition it is designed to treat, you should always follow the prescriber’s instruction to the letter. By doing so, you will not only optimise the results of the treatment, but will also significantly decrease the risk of experiencing any unwanted side effects.

Below, we will provide you with a short summary of some of the most general guidelines for the use of Movicol. However, it is important to note that what follows can under no circumstances be used as a substitute for the doctor’s instructions, nor the official guide that you can find in the official patient information leaflet, issued within every pack of Movicol.

  • Always use exactly as instructed
  • The most commonly prescribed dose will vary between one and three sachets per day
  • Increasing severity of the condition will require higher dose of Movicol, with faecal impaction necessitating as much as eight sachets per day
  • Never begin treatment without doctor’s approval
  • People affected by a heart condition should never take more than one sachet per one hour
  • The exact duration of the treatment will be determined by the doctor as it will vary depending on numerous factors, including the dose used, the severity and nature of the condition
  • One sachet should be mixed with 125ml (quarter of a pint) of water and stirred until the granules are completely dissolved
  • Never exceed the prescribed dose
  • If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, provided that the next dose is not due – if it is, simply skip the missed dose and cary on with the treatment as usual
  • Never take a double dose in an attempt to compensate for the missed one

Are there any Movicol side effects?

Movicol is considered to be a rather safe medication, with side effects manifesting in just a fraction of people who have been using it. One side effect that you should definitely be aware of is, similarly to other prescription-only medicines, the risk of an allergic reaction that will usually manifest through breathing difficulties or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. Other documented side effects are usually mild and relatively short-term:

  • Headaches
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach pain
  • Feeling bloated
  • Flatulence
  • Nausea
  • Soreness of the anus
  • Mild diarrhoea