Drops from constipation for children

Constipation in a child is a problem that almost all parents face. Consider effective drugs for its elimination, their classification, the mechanism of action.

Disorders of the bowels in children are very common, which is why parents should control the baby's chair, that is, how often he walks "big". From a year and a half of age and older, bowel movements should be 1-2 times a day. If there is a tendency to constipation, the intervals between defecations increase, and the emptying itself causes difficulties and painful sensations.

There are a number of factors that signal a violation of bowel function:

• Children under three years of age go to the toilet less than once a week.
• Children older than three years have fewer than three defecations a week.
• There are pains in the abdomen, the baby becomes restless and often cries.
• Exercise occurs with straining and painful sensations.
• The chair has a pathological character: it is separated by small and dry fragments, is formed into a very dense mass in the form of a cylinder.
• Emptying is not complete.

If all these manifestations are of a systematic nature, then this is an occasion to turn to the pediatrician. Constipation appears due to the slow passage of stool mass through the intestine. There are many reasons for this condition and it can occur at any age. The doctor conducts diagnostics of the patient's condition, appoints a series of tests (blood, coprogram, urine, feces for helminths) and gives direction to the necessary specialists (surgeon, endocrinologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist).

Drops from constipation for children are used most often, since they are prescribed from birth. To date, the pharmaceutical market has many medicines that can be used for problems with defecation. So, for children under three years of age, laxatives are prescribed on the basis of lactulose, various antispasmodics and prokinetics. With propensity for constipation, cholagogue preparations are shown on a plant basis, various lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

[1], [2]

Indications for use

Drops from constipation for children have certain indications for use. As a rule, the medicine is prescribed in such cases:

• To soften the stool (after surgery in the area of the anus and colon).
• With constipation for the regulation of physiological emptying of the intestine and large intestine.

Treatment is aimed at achieving a regular and natural stool. Emptying the intestines of the baby should be without tension, and stools of normal consistency and density. Therapy is individual for each patient. The doctor assesses the condition of the child and appoints a number of drugs.

There are many laxatives with different mechanisms of action, consider their classification:

1. Medications that irritate the receptors of the mucous membrane of the large intestine. Accelerate the movement of the contents of the intestine, causing complete emptying after 1-2 hours after ingestion. This category includes lactulose, which is the active substance of the drug Dufalac. Irritant effect is castor oil, buckthorn bark, rhubarb root and many other herbal remedies.
2. Drops with osmotic properties. They hold water in the lumen of the intestine, which increases its volume and softens the contents. Suitable for the treatment of chronic constipation. This group includes preparations with diphenols, anthraquinones, lactulose,
3. Fillers and laxatives, swelling and increasing the fluid content in the intestine. Cause rapid peristalsis and emptying. They include sea kale, agar-agar, methylcellulose, bran. Such drugs are very limited in pediatrics and are not used to treat children under three years old.
4. Laxatives, softening the stool and promoting their slipping. Depending on the active ingredient, they can act in thin (vegetable and vaseline oils), thick (Guttalax, Bisacodyl) or in the whole intestine (saline laxatives, castor oil).

For children up to a year or older, use laxatives in drops or syrup. When choosing drugs, you must pay attention to the fact that they do not have unpleasant taste or smell, do not cause painful sensations and nausea. All doctors agree that such medications can not be taken for a long period of time, as they can disrupt the water-salt balance. If you can not do without their use, then the drugs must be changed at least once a month to avoid addiction.

Pharmacodynamics

The mechanism of action of the drug depends on its composition. Pharmacodynamics allows you to learn about what happens with drops of constipation for children after their use. Consider these processes using the example of popular laxatives:

• Guttalax

Refers to triarylmethane derivatives and acts in the large intestine. Its effectiveness is based on stimulating the receptors of the colon mucosa and enhancing its peristalsis. The sodium molecule of picosulphate separates the sulfate radical due to sulfate-producing bacteria living in the large intestine. The substance is transformed into free diphenol. This leads to an improvement in peristalsis and laxative action, which develops within 6-12 hours.

• Portalac

Laxative-based laxative. The active component is cleaved in the large intestine by low-molecular organic acids under the action of the intestinal microflora. Acids reduce the pH of the contents of the intestine and trigger peristalsis. This leads to an increase in the volume of the large intestine and softening of the stool masses. The drug reduces the formation of nitrogen-containing toxic substances in the proximal part of the colon and their absorption into the systemic circulation. The therapeutic effect occurs 24-48 hours after oral administration.

Pharmacokinetics

After ingestion, drops to improve defecation on the basis of lactulose are practically not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption at 3% of the dose.

The pharmacokinetics of Guttalax with the active substance sodium picosulphate indicates its entry into the large intestine. Absorption is insignificant, therefore enterohepatic circulation is excluded. The active component is cleaved in the large intestine, forming an active metabolite of bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) -pyridyl-2-methane. The laxative effect depends on the release rate of the active metabolite and takes 6-12 hours.

Names of drops from constipation for children

To date, the pharmaceutical market has many drugs that are used to normalize intestinal peristalsis in patients of any age. Consider the popular names of drops from constipation for children and get acquainted with their instructions.

1. Guttalax

A drug from the pharmacological group of laxatives that cause chemical irritation of the intestinal mucosa. Refers to triarylmethane derivatives, therefore it works in the large intestine. The laxative effect develops 6-12 hours after application.

Active components are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and do not undergo hepatic intestinal circulation. Getting into the large intestine, it transforms into an active form - free diphenol. Produced in the form of drops in special bottles of 15 and 30 ml. 1 ml of the preparation contains 4,4- (2-picolylidene) -diphenol sulfate and 7.5 mg of sodium picosulphate.

• Indications for use: constipation caused by a decrease in the motor activity of the colon, eating disorders, overweight. Cleaning of the intestine before surgery, radiographic or instrumental research. Relief of defecation in patients with hemorrhoids, anal fissures and in the postoperative period.
• Contraindications: for children under 4 years, in the first trimester of pregnancy, as well as with intolerance of the components of the medication. It is not used for intestinal obstruction, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, strangulated hernia, cystitis, acute inflammatory lesions of the abdominal cavity, abdominal pain of uncertain origin.
• The drug is taken orally, preferably at bedtime, so that the defecation occurred in the morning (the effect occurs after 6-10 hours). For children from 4 to 12 years, 5-10 drops dissolved in a small amount of water. For patients of adult age, 10 drops or more. With persistent constipation, the dosage can be increased to 15 drops. The adjustment of the dose depends on the results of the treatment.
• Prolonged use of medication or non-compliance with medical recommendations may provoke adverse reactions. Symptoms of overdose appear in the form of intestinal colic, clinically significant loss of electrolytes and potassium, diarrhea. There may be general weakness, loss of appetite, convulsions. For treatment, symptomatic therapy is performed.

2. Regulax

Laxative drug used in diseases of the digestive tract. Its mechanism of action is based on chemical irritation of the intestinal mucosa. It has two forms of release: tablets and drops. The active components of the agent are included in the group of anthranoins.

The active substance is reynanthron, it is a metabolite of plant sennosides of Senna. Stimulates intestine motility and propulsive contractions.

• The drug is prescribed to accelerate the movement of the contents of the intestine, reduce the resorptive processes with the liquid. It helps in the treatment of chronic and short-term constipation. Regulax stimulates chlorine secretion, increasing the release of electrolytes and water into the intestinal lumen. Its action develops 8 hours after the first dose.
• Dosage and duration of therapy are selected for each patient individually. Drops are used for children over 12 years old. Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to active components, Crohn's disease, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, spastic constipation, pregnancy, nausea and vomiting, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
• The main side effects: severe diarrhea, myocardial disorders, abdominal pains of a spastic nature, skin allergic reactions, a change in the color of urine, hematuria, generalized exanthema, myasthenia gravis. In case of an overdose, the above-described signs for treatment that use symptomatic therapy appear.

3. Slabilen

Synthetic drug with a laxative effect in the form of drops.

Strengthens the peristalsis of the intestine, slows the absorption of water in the gut, preventing solidification of stool. This leads to normal emptying, prevents spasms and tenesmus.

• The medicine helps with impaired and difficult bowel movements. Used for the timely emptying of the large intestine in inactive patients. Suitable for bowel cleansing with diagnostic and instrumental procedures, with obstetric and gynecological practice.
• Drops are taken orally, adding to food or drink. For children from 4 to 10 years, appoint 5-8 drops once, if necessary, increasing the dosage to 15 drops. Patients older than 10 years of 10-20 drops.
• Drops are contraindicated for pain in the abdomen of unknown etiology, intestinal obstruction, inflammation in the abdominal cavity. Do not prescribe for treatment of patients under 4 years of age and with intolerance of active components. If these recommendations are not followed, side effects occur. Most often, patients face discomfort in the abdomen, violations of water-electrolyte balance, general weakness and dizziness.
• Prolonged use can provoke the formation of calculi in the kidneys, hyperkalemia, necrosis of the intestinal mucosa, dehydration. For treatment, spasmolytics are used and correction of the water-electrolyte balance is carried out.

4. Pikolax

Drops to fix problems with stool. They include sodium picosulfate, which after metabolism in the large intestine is transformed into diphenol. The active substance affects the receptors of the intestinal mucosa, enhancing peristalsis and fecal matter.

Drops are intended for oral administration, are not absorbed into the systemic circulation, the therapeutic effect occurs after 6-12 hours.

• Indications for use: treatment and prevention of constipation, elimination of problems with defecation in children older than 4 years and adults. It is prescribed by the oncologist, who take opioid analgesics. The medication is taken in the evening, adding to food or diluting with water. For children from 4 to 10 years - 7-13 drops 1 time per day, for children from 10 years and adults - 13-27 drops per day. The duration of therapy is individual for each patient, but, as a rule, does not exceed three days.
• Contraindicated use when intolerance of the components of the drug and with intolerance to fructose. Do not appoint for children under 4 years, during pregnancy and lactation, with obstructive ileus, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain of unexplained etiology. With special care are used to treat patients with hypokalemia, hypermagnesemia and for elderly patients.
• As a rule, the drug is well tolerated. In isolated cases, there are side effects that manifest themselves as disorders of the digestive tract (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, colic, flatulence), CNS (headaches, sleep disturbance, seizures, fatigue) and allergic reactions (pruritus, urticaria, rash ).
• In case of an overdose, there is a development of diarrhea, a decrease in the level of potassium in the blood and a violation of the water-electrolyte balance, spastic pain in the abdomen. It is also possible ischemia of the mucous membrane of the large intestine and impaired renal function. There is no specific antidote, therefore, gastric lavage, reception of enterosorbents and symptomatic therapy are indicated.

5. Portalac

Stimulates peristalsis of the intestine, has a pronounced hyperosmotic and laxative effect.

The active substance is lactulose, inhibits the pathogenic flora and creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of lacto- and bifidobacteria in the intestine. The drug affects the endothelial mucosa and musculature of the large intestine, normalizes the physiological rhythm of digestion.

• Laxative is prescribed for children from the first days of life. Drops help with constipation of various genesis, for softening of fecal masses, with dysbacteriosis with difficulty in bowel movement, enteritis, hyperammonemia, hepatic encephalopathy, precoma and in the syndrome of putrefactive dyspepsia.
• The daily dose of the medicine is taken once in the morning, washed down with water or mixed with food. For children under the age of 5 ml per day, from 1-6 years to 5-10 ml, from 7-14 years to 15 ml and for patients over 14 years to 14-75 ml per day. The therapeutic effect occurs two days after the start of treatment, after which the dosage is reduced and the drug is taken as a supporting agent. If the desired effect does not occur within 2-3 days, the dosage is increased. Duration of treatment with severe constipation 1-4 months.
• Portalac is forbidden with intolerance of its components, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis or suspicion of its presence, with galactosemia, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, rectal bleeding.
• Side effects can occur in the first days of taking the remedy. Most often, patients face meteorism, spasms and pains in the abdomen, diarrhea. These reactions are reversible, in order to eliminate them, it is necessary to reduce the dosage. In case of an overdose, there is diarrhea, a disturbance of the water-electrolyte balance. The doctor adjusts the dosage, if the patient's condition does not improve, then the drug is canceled.

Drops from constipation for newborns

Since the first days of life, the digestive system of the child is not fully formed, so frequent dyspeptic disorders occur. The impossibility of complete defecation causes discomfort and pain in the digestive tract, the child becomes capricious, cries.

Drops from constipation for newborns is a simple and effective method of eliminating problems with bowel movement and normalization of its functioning.

1. Normolact

Osmotic laxative with lactulose. Used to treat constipation, intestinal dysbiosis, intoxication, liver failure and encephalopathy.

Helps with the syndrome of putrefactive dyspepsia in infants, pain syndrome after removal of hemorrhoids and for softening of stool.

• The drug is contraindicated for individual intolerance of its components, intestinal obstruction, galactosemia. It is used with caution for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus, gastrocardial syndrome, during pregnancy and lactation.
• The method of application is individual for each patient. Children are prescribed oral use at a higher dose, which is gradually reduced 2-3 days after the desired result is achieved. For newborns appoint 2.5-5 ml per day, for children from 1-7 years to 5-10 ml, from 7-14 to 15 ml, from 14 years and older to 15-45 ml. The entire daily dose should be taken in the morning during breakfast, mixed with a drink or a meal.
• The use of high doses causes pain in the abdomen and diarrhea. Side effects are manifested in the form of such symptoms: flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, headaches and dizziness, weakness, disturbance of water-electrolyte metabolism, arrhythmia, myalgia. As a treatment, it is recommended to reduce the dosage or discontinue therapy.

2. Dufalac

Hypoammonemic laxative with active substance - lactulose.

Stimulates peristalsis of the intestine, removes ammonium ions, improves the absorption of calcium salts and phosphates. Has a low absorption, in unchanged form reaches the large intestine, is split by intestinal flora.

• Indications for use: constipation, regulation of physiological emptying, softening of the stool, hepatic encephalopathy in patients of adult age. Contraindicated to use in intestinal obstruction, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, galactosemia, galactose intolerance or fructose, hypersensitivity to active substances.
• For children under the age of 5 ml per day, from 1-6 years to 5-10 ml, from 7-14 years to 15 ml, for adolescents and adults 15-45 ml per day. The duration of therapy is individual for each patient and is selected by the doctor. In case of an overdose, there are pains in the abdomen and diarrhea. To eliminate them, you must stop taking the medicine and seek medical help.
• Side effects can occur during the first days of treatment. Usually, this is flatulence, which takes place on its own in a few days. Possible disturbance of water-electrolyte balance, pain in the living, nausea and vomiting.

3. Prelax

Effective agent, the pharmacological action of which is based on suppression of opportunistic microflora, lowering the pH of the contents of the large intestine.

Prelax stimulates peristalsis, increases the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, improves the quality and speed of movement of stool. It does not irritate the intestinal mucosa, does not cause addiction and withdrawal syndrome.

• Indications for use: constipation of varying complexity, postoperative period, hepatic encephalopathy, cleansing the body before diagnostic or surgical procedures. Can be used for prophylactic purposes in the development of dysbacteriosis.
• The way of application and dosage is individual for each patient. As a rule, newborns are prescribed 2-4 appointments per day. The medicine is allowed during pregnancy and lactation. It is forbidden for lactose intolerance and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Side effects are manifested in the form of flatulence, abdominal pain. There may be fits of vomiting and nausea that go away on their own for several days.

Use drops from constipation for newborns can only be with the appropriate medical appointment. Self-use of drugs is dangerous for the health of the baby, as it can provoke a number of side-effects that will only aggravate the work of the digestive tract and intestines.

The use of drops from constipation for children

To achieve the desired therapeutic effect, the dosage and method of using drops from constipation for children are selected by a doctor. The drug is taken orally, that is, washed down with a small amount of liquid, added to tea or juice, mixed with food. Most laxatives are recommended in the morning, that is, during or before breakfast. Adopted before bedtime drops, ensure the emptying of the intestines in the morning.

Dosage is calculated from the weight of the child. For newborns appoint 3-5 drops, for children from one year and older, 5-15 drops. Some medicines require the use of higher dosages during the first days of treatment with their further decrease. The duration of therapy depends on the effectiveness of the drug and medical prescriptions.

Contraindications for use

When choosing any medications for children, it is necessary to take into account their features and contraindications to use. Different groups of laxatives have a number of limitations due to possible side effects.

Drops from constipation are not taken in the presence of such diseases:

• Obstruction obstruction
• Various allergic reactions (rash, shock, asphyxia, Stevens-Jones syndrome)
• Enterocolitis
• Dysfunction of the small intestine
• Oncological lesions of the digestive tract
• Hepatitis and cirrhosis
• Intestinal obstruction
• Lipid pneumonia
• Severe itching in the anus

Preparations are not prescribed for children with inflammation of the intestine, cracks in the anorectal area, rectal bleeding and hypersensitivity to active components.

[3], [4], [5], [6]

Side effects

Some drugs that soften fecal masses, improve intestinal motility and provide better slip of the contents of the colon, can cause adverse symptoms. Side effects are manifested by many organs and systems, most often in children there are such reactions:

• Attacks of nausea and vomiting
• Spasms and pains in the abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration of the body (change in water-electrolyte balance)
• Skin Allergic Reactions
• Headaches and dizziness
• Fainting condition

Typically, to eliminate these side effects, a specific antidote is not used. Patients are symptomatic and supportive therapy and compulsory recourse to medical care.

Overdose

The use of elevated doses of laxative or exceeding the recommended course of treatment causes symptoms of an overdose. Most often, patients develop such reactions:

• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Violations of the water-electrolyte balance
• Cramps and pains in the abdomen
• Hypokalemia
• Reduction of blood pressure
• Ischemia of smooth musculature of large intestine
• Urolithiasis disease

To treat overdose, it is recommended to induce vomiting and rinse the stomach. To correct the balance of electrolytes and replenish fluid in the body, take antispasmodics.

Interactions with other drugs

Very often, several medications are used to treat a particular pathological condition. Drops from constipation for children and their interaction with other drugs are controlled by the attending physician. Consider the possible reactions in the example of Guttalax:

• High doses of laxative in combination with GCS or diuretics increase the risk of hypokalemia (electrolyte disturbances).

• Disorders of electrolyte balance lead to an increase in sensitivity to cardiac glycosides.

• Antibiotic drugs depress the laxative effect.

In any case, the use of several drugs simultaneously for the treatment of patients of child age is possible only with the appropriate medical clearance to prevent adverse reactions.

Storage conditions

To preserve the pharmacological properties of the drug of any form of release, it is necessary to observe the storage conditions. It is recommended to keep drops from constipation in the original packaging, out of reach of children, protected from moisture and sunlight.

Recommended storage temperature is from 10 ° C to 25 ° C. If these instructions are not observed, the medicine loses its physicochemical and therapeutic properties (sediment and turbidity, unpleasant odor, discoloration) and is banned for treatment of both children and adults.

Shelf life

Drops from constipation for children have a certain shelf life, during which they can be used. Typically, the laxative is allowed for 36 months from the date of manufacture, provided that the drug is not opened. If the individual bottle with droplets was opened, then it is allowed for 28 days, provided that the storage conditions are observed.