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Sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium bicarbonate suppositories

Updated 2 Feb 2023 | Stimulant laxatives

Presentation

Suppositories containing sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium bicarbonate

Drugs List

  • LECICARBON A suppository
  • LECICARBON C suppository
  • sodium dihydrogen phosphate 340mg and sodium bicarbonate 250mg suppository
  • sodium dihydrogen phosphate 680mg and sodium bicarbonate 500mg suppository
  • Therapeutic Indications

    Uses

    Bowel evacuation - prior to investigative procedure
    Bowel evacuation - prior to surgical procedure
    Bowel evacuation before childbirth
    Constipation

    Dosage

    Adults

    Insert 1 suppository into the rectum as required.

    Can be repeated if required after 30 to 60 minutes.

    Elderly

    Insert 1 suppository into the rectum as required.

    Can be repeated if required after 30 to 60 minutes.

    Children

    Insert 1 suppository into the rectum as required.

    Can be repeated if required after 30 to 60 minutes.

    It may be necessary in children to press the two halves of the child's bottom together to avoid immediate expulsion of the suppository.

    Contraindications

    Gastrointestinal obstruction

    Precautions and Warnings

    Anal fissure
    Toxic megacolon

    Contains soya or soya derivative

    Pregnancy and Lactation

    Pregnancy

    The manufacturer advise that may be used in pregnancy after careful evaluation. And states the effect of the expanding volume of the carbon dioxide is negligible.

    The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

    Lactation

    The manufacturer advises that may be used during breastfeeding. The developed carbon dioxide will not be excreted into the breast milk.

    Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
    Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

    Side Effects

    Allergic reaction
    Rectal discomfort

    Overdosage

    It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

    The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

    Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

    Reference Sources

    Summary of Product Characteristics: Lecicarbon A Suppository. Aspire Pharma Ltd. Revised April 2014.
    Summary of Product Characteristics: Lecicarbon C Suppository. Aspire Pharma Ltd. Revised May 2014.

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