What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Lax-Tab.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What Lax-Tab is used for
This medicine is used to treat constipation.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called laxatives.
It works by stimulating the bowel to contract, causing a bowel motion to pass.
Before you take Lax-Tab
When you must not take it
Do not take Lax-Tab if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing bisacodyl
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- any other similar medicines such as Picolax and PicoPrep.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take this medicine if you have:
- intestinal obstruction.
- acute abdominal conditions such as appendicitis or undiagnosed abdominal pain
- inflammatory bowel disease.
- severe dehydration
- a condition of the intestine called ileus.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Lax-Tab.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How to take Lax-Tab
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box or bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Adults and Children over 10 years:
Take one or two tablets at night if needed.
Children aged 6 to 10 years:
Take one tablet at night if needed.
Lax-Tab tablets are not recommended for use in children under the age of 6 years.
How to take it
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.
When to take it
Take this medicine at night.
If you need to take an antacid, take it at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after your dose of Lax-Tab.
How long to take it
This medicine is not for prolonged use. Prolonged use can result in diarrhoea with excessive loss of water and electrolytes, and may result in your constipation getting worse.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone: Australia 13 11 26, New Zealand 0800 764 766) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Lax-Tab. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking Lax-Tab
Things you must do
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Things you must not do
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Lax-Tab. This medicine helps most people with constipation, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- stomach cramps
- diarrhoea
These are the more common side effects of your medicine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After taking Lax-Tab
Storage
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 °C.
Do not store Lax-Tab or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Lax-Tab tablets are round, light-yellow tablets.
Ingredients
One Lax-Tab tablet contains 5 mg of bisacodyl as the active ingredient. It also contains:
- Lactose
- Starch - maize
- Povidone
- Cellulose- microcrystalline
- Sodium starch glycollate- type A
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Magnesium stearate
- Talc - purified
- Methacrylic acid copolymer
- Macrogol 6000
- Silicon antifoam
- Gelatin
- Sucrose
- Calcium carbonate
- Quinoline yellow
This medicine does not contain gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Distributor
Lax-Tab is distributed by:
Australia:
AFT Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd., 9 Water St., Caringbah, NSW 2229
New Zealand:
AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Auckland
This leaflet was prepared in April 2005.
AUST R 119125
Published by MIMS October 2005