LAX-A-DAY is a brand name for Polyethylene Glycol 3350, supplied as a powder for solution. The medicine, its uses, side effects and dosage are the same regardless of brand.
Used for: AND CLINICAL USE ..............................................................................3 CONTRAINDICATIONS ...................................................................................................3 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS…
Verbatim from this product's HC label. Tap a section to expand.
Recommended Dose and Dosage Adjustment ADULTS:
The usual dose is 17 grams (about 1 heaping tablespoon or one single-dose sachet) of LAX-A- DAY® powder per day (or as directed by physician) to be stirred in a cup (250 ml) of water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea until completely dissolved.
This product should be used for one week or less or as directed by a physician. Treatment for two to four days (48 to 96 hours) may be required to produce a bowel movement. Each bottle of LAX-A-DAY® is supplied with a dosing cap marked to contain 17 grams of laxative powder when filled to the indicated line.
LAX-A-DAY® is also available in single-dose sachets of 17 grams each. Two to 4 days (48 to 96 hours) may be required to produce a bowel movement.
Special Patient Populations:
Treatment of Pregnant or Nursing Women LAX-A-DAY® should only be administered to a pregnant or nursing woman on the advice of a physician. (See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS). Elderly Patients No dose adjustment is recommended for elderly patients solely on the basis of their age (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS).
Pediatrics LAX-A-DAY® is not indicated for use in children under 18 years of age unless recommended by a physician (See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS). OVERDOSAGE There have been no reports of accidental overdosage. In the event of overdosage, diarrhea would be the expected major event.
If an overdose of drug occurred without concomitant ingestion of fluid, dehydration due to diarrhea may result. In the event of overdose, medication should be terminated and free water administered.
Page 7 of 11 ACTION AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Mechanism of Action Pharmacology:
Polyethylene Glycol 3350 is an osmotic agent which causes water to be retained with the stool. Essentially, complete recovery of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 was shown in normal subjects without constipation. Attempts at recovery of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 in constipated patients resulted in incomplete and highly variable recovery.
An in vitro study showed indirectly that Polyethylene Glycol 3350 was not fermented into hydrogen or methane by the colonic microflora in human feces Polyethylene Glycol 3350 appears to have no effect on the active absorption or secretion of glucose or electrolytes.
General Patients with symptoms suggestive of bowel obstruction, appendicitis or inflamed bowels (fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or distention) should consult a doctor to rule out these conditions before initiating LAX-A-DAY® therapy.
Overuse or extended use of any laxative may cause dependence for bowel function. Do not take any type of laxative for more than one (1) week, unless recommended by a physician. A laxative should not be taken within two (2) hours of another medicine because the desired effect of the other medicine may be reduced.
Patients presenting with complaints of constipation should have a thorough medical history and physical examination to detect associated metabolic, endocrine and neurogenic conditions, and medications. A diagnostic evaluation should include a structural examination of the colon.
Patients should be educated about good defecatory and eating habits (such as high fiber diets) and lifestyle changes (adequate dietary fiber and fluid intake, regular exercise) which may produce more regular bowel habits. LAX-A-DAY® should be administered after being dissolved in approximately 250 ml of water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea.
LAX-A-DAY® may result in a potential interactive effect when used with starch-based food thickeners. The PEG ingredient counteracts the thickening effect of starch, effectively liquefying preparations that need to remain thick for people with swallowing problems.
This warning applies to all polyethylene glycol (PEG) containing-products.
Special Populations Pregnant Women:
Animal reproductive studies have not been performed with Polyethylene Glycol 3350. It is also not known whether Polyethylene Glycol 3350 can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, or can affect reproductive capacity.
Not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and follow your prescriber or pharmacist.
Other brands of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 in Canada.
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There is no evidence of tachyphylaxis.
Special Populations and Conditions Pediatrics:
The safety and efficacy of LAX-A-DAY® for use in children under 18 years of age have not been established. LAX-A-DAY® is not indicated for use in children under 18 years of age.
Geriatrics:
There is no evidence for special considerations when LAX-A-DAY® is administered to elderly patients. In geriatric nursing home patients a higher incidence of diarrhea occurred at the recommended 17 gram dose. Page 8 of 11 STORAGE AND STABILITY Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C).
SPECIAL HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS None. DOSAGE FORMS, COMPOSITION AND PACKAGING LAX-A-DAY® is available in powdered form, for oral administration after complete dissolution in water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea. LAX-A-DAY® is available in the following formats: bottles (119 g – 7 doses, 238 g – 14 doses, 510 g – 30 doses and 1020 g – 60 doses) and single-dose sachets of 17 g (available in packs of 10 and 100 sachets).
The dosing cap provided with each bottle is marked with a measuring line and should be used to measure a single daily dose of LAX-A-DAY® (17 grams, or about 1 heaping tablespoon). 0 percent of the nominal value) Structural formula: Physical Form: A white powder for reconstitution Solubility: Below 55°C it is a free flowing white powder freely soluble in water.
CLINICAL TRIALS In two separate studies (1,3), 151 and 23 patients with less than 3 bowel movements per week were randomized to Polyethylene Glycol 3350, 17 grams, or placebo for 14 days. An increase in bowel movement frequency was observed for both treatment groups during the first week of treatment.
Polyethylene Glycol 3350 was statistically superior to placebo during the first and second week of treatment. No clinically significant changes in blood chemistry, CBC, or urinalysis were observed. PEG laxative is safe and effective in the short term for the treatment of constipation.
Page 10 of 11 In a second study (2), 50 patients with 3 bowel movements or less per week and/or less than 300 grams of stool per week were randomized to 2 dose levels of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 or placebo for 10 days each. Success was defined by an increase in both bowel movement frequency and daily stool weight.
For both parameters, superiority of the 17gram dose of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 over placebo was demonstrated. There were no significant differences in laboratory changes or adverse experiences recorded between groups. PEG laxative is safe and effective in the short term treatment of constipation for ambulatory outpatients and is safe for long-term care patients.
In a fourth study (5), 304 patients with 3 bowel movements or less per week were randomized to 17 grams of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 or placebo for 6 months. 001). Similar efficacy was seen in a subgroup of 75 elderly subjects. 001). There were no significant differences in laboratory findings of adverse events, except for the gastrointestinal category where diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea were the […]
The use of LAX-A- DAY® should be avoided in women who are pregnant unless clearly needed and directed by a physician.
Nursing Women:
It is unknown if LAX-A-DAY® is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, precaution should be exercised. The use of LAX-A-DAY® should be avoided in nursing women unless clearly needed and directed by a physician.
Pediatrics (<18 years of age):
Safety and effectiveness of LAX-A-DAY® in pediatric patients has not been established.
Page 5 of 11 Geriatrics (> 65 years of age):
There is no evidence for special considerations when LAX-A- DAY® is administered to elderly patients. If diarrhea occurs, LAX-A-DAY® should be discontinued. Monitoring and Laboratory Tests No clinically significant effects (1,2,3,5,6) on laboratory tests have been demonstrated.
In one study (1), CBC, blood chemistry, and urinalysis were performed after the 14-day treatment period. Laboratory data were compared by repeated measures of analysis of variance. 05 was considered statistically significant. No statistically or clinically significant differences between placebo and laxative groups were detected for laboratory measurements.
In another study (2), CBC, blood chemistry, and urinalysis were performed before and after each10-day treatment period. No clinically significant changes in laboratory measurements were seen. ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse Drug Reaction Overview Occasionally, LAX-A-DAY® may cause nausea, abdominal bloating, cramping, diarrhea and/or gas.
High doses may produce diarrhea and excessive stool frequency, particularly in elderly nursing home patients. On rare occasions, hives and skin rashes have been reported which are suggestive of an allergic reaction. Patients taking other medications containing polyethylene glycol have occasionally developed urticaria suggestive of an allergic reaction.
DRUG INTERACTIONS No specific drug interactions have been demonstrated. A laxative should not be taken within two (2) hours of taking another medicine because the desired effect of the other medicine may be reduced. Page 6 of 11 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended Dose and Dosage Adjustment ADULTS: The usual dose is 17 grams (about 1 heaping tablespoon or one single-dose sachet) of LAX-A- DAY® powder per day (or as directed by physician) to be stirred in a cup (250 ml) of water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea until completely dissolved.
This product should be used for one week or less or as directed by a physician. Treatment for two to four days (48 to 96 hours) may be required to produce a bowel movement. Each bottle of LAX-A-DAY® is supplied with a dosing cap marked to contain 17 grams of laxative powder when filled to the indicated line.
LAX-A-DAY® is also available in single-dose sachets of 17 grams each. Two to 4 days (48 to 96 hours) may be required to produce a bowel movement.
Special Patient Populations:
Treatment of Pregnant or Nursing Women LAX-A-DAY® should only be administered to a pregnant or nursing woman on the advice of a physician. (See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS). Elderly Patients No dose adjustment is recommended for elderly patients solely on the basis of their age (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS).
Pediatrics LAX-A-DAY® is not indicated for use in children under 18 years of age unless recommended by a physician (See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS). OVERDOSAGE There have been no reports of accidental overdosage. In the event of overdosage, diarrhea would be the expected major event.
If an overdose of drug occurred without concomitant ingestion of fluid, dehydration due to diarrhea may result. In the event of overdose, medication should be terminated and free water administered.
Page 7 of 11 ACTION AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Mechanism of Action Pharmacology:
Polyethylene Glycol 3350 is an osmotic agent which causes water to be retained with the stool. Essentially, complete recovery of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 was shown in normal subjects without constipation. Attempts at recovery of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 in constipated patients resulted in incomplete and highly variable recovery.
An in vitro study showed indirectly that Polyethylene Glycol 3350 was not fermented into hydrogen or […]