Name
CONFETTO FALQUI CM 5 mg coated tablets
Bisacodyl


What it is and what it is used for
CONFETTO FALQUI CM contains bisacodyl. It belongs to a group of medicines called contact laxatives.
CONFETTO FALQUI CM works by stimulating intestinal movements, accelerating the passage of intestinal contents.
CONFETTO FALQUI CM is used in adults, children and adolescents aged between 2 and 18 years for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation.

Contact your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not take/give your child CONFETTO FALQUI CM
- If you and/or your child are allergic to bisacodyl or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
- if you and/or your child suffer from an arrest in the progression of intestinal contents due to a blockage of the intestinal muscles (paralytic ileus);
- if you and/or your child suffer from acute abdominal conditions, such as inflammation of the appendix, a part of the intestine (appendicitis), and severe tummy pain associated with nausea and vomiting which may be signs of serious illness;
- if you and/or your child suffer from obstruction or narrowing of the intestine (intestinal stenosis);
- if you and/or your child suffer from acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines;
- if you and/or your child suffer from rectal bleeding of unknown origin;
- if you and/or your child suffer from severe loss of water from the body (state of dehydration);
- if your child is under 2 years old;
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, see section “Pregnancy and breast-feeding”.


Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking/giving your child CONFETTO FALQUI CM
Cases of dizziness and/or fainting (syncope) have been reported after taking CONFETTO FALQUI CM. The data relating to these cases suggest that the events, rather than a phenomenon related to the intake of CONFETTO FALQUI CM, could be interpreted as a manifestation of "fainting (syncope) from defecation" (attributable to the effort of the act of defecation), or as a reflex response to abdominal pain related to constipation itself.
As with all laxatives, do not take/give your child CONFETTO FALQUI CM daily or for prolonged periods without first having your doctor evaluate the cause of the constipation. Treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires the intervention of a doctor for diagnosis, prescription of drugs and monitoring during therapy.
In particular, consult your doctor:
- when 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 or when the use of a laxative fails to produce effects;
- if he is elderly or in poor health;
- if you/your child suffer from diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease (cardiopathy).
- if you and/or your child have shown intolerance to sugars (See the paragraph “CONFETTO FALQUI CM contains sucrose and sorbitol”);

Laxative abuse
Laxative abuse (frequent or prolonged use or excessive doses) can cause persistent diarrhea resulting in loss of fluids (dehydration) or decreased potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia).
In more serious cases, the decrease in potassium can cause heart or muscle problems, especially if you are undergoing concomitant treatment with certain heart drugs (cardiac glycosides), with drugs that increase urine production (diuretics) or with those used to treat inflammation (corticosteroids).
Symptoms of intestinal fluid loss (dehydration) may include thirst and reduced urine output (oliguria).
Fluid loss (dehydration) can be dangerous if you/your child suffer from reduced kidney function (renal insufficiency) or if you are elderly; therefore, stop treatment with CONFETTO FALQUI CM and consult your doctor.
Blood in the stool (hematochezia) may also occur, but is usually mild and goes away on its own.
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), as well as chronic constipation and loss of normal intestinal functions (intestinal atony).
Stimulant laxatives including CONFETTO FALQUI CM do not contribute to weight loss.

Children
This medicine should not be taken by children under 2 years of age (See the section “Do not take CONFETTO FALQUI CM”).
In children aged between 2 and 10 years, CONFETTO FALQUI CM can only be taken after consulting your doctor.


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects are listed by frequency:
common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea
uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
• dizziness (vertigo)
• blood in the stool (hematochezia), vomiting, abdominal discomfort, anorectal discomfort
rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
• anaphylactic reactions, swelling of the skin and mucous membranes of the face, lips and throat (angioedema), hypersensitivity
• loss of fluids (dehydration)
• fainting (syncope)
• inflammation of the intestine (colitis, including ischemic colitis).

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.