Precautions


1. It should not be taken regularly as it may cause deficiencyof Vitamins A, D and K . This may be very harmful,specially in pregnant women.

2. It should not be taken by very old and weak persons, andyoung children because of the danger of lipoid pneumonia.

3. It should not be taken during the day time because ofchances of its leakage through the rectum.
It delays healing, and is not recommended after anoperation on piles

5. It should not be taken along with dioctyls sodium sulfosuccinate, as the latter promotes its absorption from the intestines.
Mild Saline Purgatives

Magnesium Hydroxide

This is a mild laxative which can be used even by pregnant women and children. It absorbs water from the intestines to form the bulk and make the stools soft. Besides purgative action, it counteracts acidity in the stomach.

Dosage

Its usual dose is 2 to 4g its action starts after 2 to 6 hours.

Adverse Effects

It is a mild purgative and does not have any adverse effect except to produce flatulence in some people.
Precautions

1. Take plenty of fluids along with this purgative.

2. Patients with chronic kidney disease who may have difficultyin excreting magnesium should be wary of milk ofMagnesia.

Sodium Potassium Tartrate

It is the basic ingredient of commonly used ENO's fruit salt and Seidlitz powder. These also contain tartaric acid and sodium bicarbonate which interact to produce carbondioxide gas, forming an effervescent drink, which resembles gas containing soft drinks. The gas present in the solution distends the stomach and reflexly stimulates movements of the intestines. It also absorbs water from the intestines which assists in forming the bulk and softening the stools.

Dosage

The dose of sodium potassium tartrate for its purgative action is lOg. Its action starts after 3 to 6 hours

Adverse Effects

Sodium potassium tartrate is a safe purgative and does not cause any adverse effect.

Precautions

It should not be taken by those who are on a sodium restricted diet, e.g. patients of heart failure, hypertension etc, but children are free of all such problems.

Important Note:- The dose should be half of the prescribed dose and keep in touch with your paediatrician.