Indications: constipation, bowel evacuation before radiological procedures, endoscopy and surgery. Tablets act within 10-12 hours while suppositories within 1 hour. Contra-indications: Nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms of appendicitis; acute surgical abdominal conditions; fecal impaction; intestinal obstruction; undiagnosed abdominal pain; ulcerative lesions of colon; ulcerative hemorrhoids.

Side effect: Excessive bowel activity (griping, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting); perianal irritation; bloating; flatulence; abdominal cramping; proctitis and inflammation.

Dizziness, fainting. Palpitations.

Dose: by mouth for constipation, 5-10 mg after meals usually at night; avoid taking with milk and antacids, child 4-10 years (on medical advice only) 5 mg at night, over 10 years, adult dose. Rectally, 10 mg in the morning. Child under 10 years, 5 mg suppository inserted, over 10 years, adult dose 20-60 minutes before evacuation is required.

Before radiological procedures and surgery, by mouth, 10-20 mg at bedtime before examination and by rectum in suppository 10 mg the following morning,.child 4-10 years by mouth, 5mg the night before procedure and by rectum in suppositories, 5 mg the following morning, over 10 years, adult dose.