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Polycarbophil Brand Names
Equalactin | Fiber Laxative | Fibercon | Fiber-Lax | Fiber-Tabs | Konsyl
What is Polycarbophil
Polycarbophil is a synthetic, oral, bulk-forming laxative. It is a polyacrylic resin with a marked capacity for binding water.
Bulk-forming fiber laxatives are among the agents of choice as initial therapy for most forms of occasional or idiopathic constipation and are also considered to be some of the safest laxative agents.
Calcium polycarbophil products are available in nonprescription dosage forms and may be used in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older; the chewable products may be used in patients 2 years of age and older.
The ingestion of these products with an adequate amount of liquid is essential to their safe use to avoid choking or obstruction, particularly in young patients. However, fiber supplements are not routinely recommended in the treatment of childhood functional constipation due to a lack of evidence that supports their use over a healthy diet.
Patients of all ages with chronic constipation may need other strategies besides fiber supplementation to treat their condition.
Calcium polycarbophil has also been used as an adjunct therapy in the management of adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Indications
- constipation
- irritable bowel syndrome
For the treatment and prevention of constipation
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- anorexia
- asphyxia
- chest pain (unspecified)
- confusion
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- flatulence
- GI bleeding
- GI obstruction
- hypercalcemia
- hypertension
- nausea
- nephrolithiasis
- premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
- syncope
- vomiting
- weakness
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- abdominal pain
- acute abdomen
- appendicitis
- breast-feeding
- children
- dysphagia
- esophageal stricture
- geriatric
- GI bleeding
- GI obstruction
- hypercalcemia
- hypercalciuria
- ileus
- infants
- neonates
- nephrolithiasis
- pregnancy
- vomiting
Interactions
- Alendronate
- Alendronate; Cholecalciferol
- Aliskiren; Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Aliskiren; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Amiloride; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
- Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
- Atenolol; Chlorthalidone
- Azilsartan; Chlorthalidone
- Benazepril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Bendroflumethiazide; Nadolol
- Betamethasone; Calcipotriene
- Bismuth Subcitrate Potassium; Metronidazole; Tetracycline
- Bismuth Subsalicylate; Metronidazole; Tetracycline
- Bisoprolol; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Bumetanide
- Calcifediol
- Calcipotriene
- Calcitriol
- Calcium Carbonate; Risedronate
- Calcium Phosphate, Supersaturated
- Candesartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Captopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Cardiac glycosides
- Chlorothiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Chlorthalidone; Clonidine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Delafloxacin
- Demeclocycline
- Digitoxin
- Digoxin
- Doxercalciferol
- Doxycycline
- Droperidol
- Enalapril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Eprosartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Estramustine
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etidronate
- Fosinopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Furosemide
- Hetastarch; Dextrose; Electrolytes
- Hydralazine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Irbesartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Lisinopril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Losartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Methyldopa
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Metoprolol
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Moexipril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Propranolol
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Quinapril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Spironolactone
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Telmisartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Triamterene
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
- Ibandronate
- Lactulose
- Levofloxacin
- Levothyroxine
- Levothyroxine; Liothyronine (Porcine)
- Levothyroxine; Liothyronine (Synthetic)
- Liothyronine
- Loop diuretics
- Magnesium
- Magnesium Salts
- Methyclothiazide
- Metolazone
- Minocycline
- Moxifloxacin
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Omadacycline
- Paricalcitol
- Phenytoin
- Risedronate
- Sarecycline
- Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Monohydrate; Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Anhydrous
- Tetracycline
- Tetracyclines
- Thiazide diuretics
- Thyroid hormones
- Tiludronate
- Torsemide
