ALAXA "5 MG GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS" 20 TABLETS"

Name
ALAXA 5 mg gastro-resistant tablets
Bisacodyl


What it is and what it is used for
Alaxa is a laxative, whose active ingredient is bisacodyl, which serves to facilitate the evacuation of feces. The laxative effect is obtained thanks to the ability of bisacodyl to soften the feces and increase the speed of intestinal transit.
This medicine is indicated for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation.
Talk to your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after a short time of treatment.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not take ALAXA if:
• are allergic to the active substance or to similar substances (for example, sodium picosulfate) or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• have sudden pain in your stomach or any situation of stomach pain for which you do not know the cause (for example, you have appendicitis);
• has nausea or vomiting;
• has inflammation of the stomach or intestine (gastroenteritis);
• has a blockage or narrowing (stenosis) of the intestine;
• has rectal bleeding for which the cause is unknown;
• is in a severe state of dehydration, which manifests itself with a dry and sticky mouth, thirst, little urine, no or little tears and dry skin;
• are pregnant or breast-feeding (see “Pregnancy and breast-feeding” ).

Do not use ALAXA in children under 3 years of age.


Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before using ALAXA:
• for use of the medicine in children aged between 3 and 12 years;
• if your constipation is chronic or if you have repeated episodes of constipation;
• if the need for a laxative arises from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that lasts for more than two weeks;
• if you have bleeding from the rectum;
• if you have heart disease or suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension);
• if you have diabetes;
• if he is elderly or not in good health.

If the use of the laxative fails to produce effects after a short period of treatment, consult your doctor.

You should know that laxative abuse (i.e. frequent or prolonged use or excessive doses) can cause persistent diarrhea with consequent loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other important nutritional factors. In more serious cases, the decrease in potassium can cause heart or muscle problems, especially if you are undergoing simultaneous treatment with certain heart medications (cardiac glycosides), with medications that increase urine production (diuretics) or with those used to treat inflammation (corticosteroids).
Avoid frequent or prolonged use of the medicine as it can cause habituation and dependence (i.e. the need to gradually increase the dosage and not be able to do without the medicine) and inflammation of the intestine (atonic colitis), as well as chronic constipation and loss of normal intestinal functions (intestinal atony).


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Side effects due to ALAXA usually involve the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal). In particular, the medicine can cause abdominal pain (like cramps, isolated or spread throughout the belly).

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse .
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.