Name
Aicardi Laxative Drops 7.5 mg/ml oral drops, solution
Sodium picosulfate


What it is and what it is used for
Aicardi Laxative Drops is a solution for oral use containing the active ingredient sodium picosulfate.
This active ingredient belongs to the class of contact laxatives (stimulant laxatives).
Aicardi Laxative Drops are used 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 few days.

Health Education Notes:
Many people think they are constipated if they are unable to have a bowel movement every day.
This is a misconception as this situation is completely normal for a large number of individuals.
Constipation, on the other hand, refers to the situation in which evacuations are reduced compared to one's personal habits and are associated with the emission of hard stools.
In most cases, a balanced diet rich in water and fiber (bran, vegetables and fruit) can permanently solve the problem of constipation.
If episodes of constipation occur repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not use Aicardi Laxative Drops
- if you are allergic to the active substance or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
- if you have problems with the last part of the intestine called the "rectum" (rectal bleeding of unknown origin);
- if you have abdominal pain or abdominal cramps (colic), nausea and vomiting;
- if you suffer from a blockage of the intestinal muscles (paralytic ileus);
- if you have problems with your intestines (intestinal obstruction or stenosis) or obstruction or narrowing of the bile ducts (where bile, a substance involved in some digestive processes, flows);
- if he is dehydrated (has lost too much water);
- if you suffer from acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines (e.g. appendicitis);
- if you have diarrhoea or are severely wasted (have cachexia), because the laxative effect may be excessive;
- if you suffer from gallstones (presence of small stones that obstruct the flow of bile);
- if you suffer from reduced liver function (liver failure);
- in children under 3 years of age;
- in children over 3 years of age without first consulting your doctor (see also section "Children");

Aicardi Laxative Drops are generally contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding (see paragraph "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").


Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before using Aicardi Laxative Drops:
• if the constipation is persistent. The treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires the intervention of a doctor for diagnosis, prescription of drugs and monitoring during therapy;
• if you have noticed a sudden change in your bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that lasts for more than two weeks;
• if he is elderly;
• if his health conditions are not good.
Consult your doctor if, after a short period of treatment with this medicine, you do not obtain appreciable results.

The use of laxatives can sometimes cause symptoms such as dizziness and/or loss of consciousness up to fainting due to a nervous mechanism of the body's response to abdominal pain or the effort of evacuation, related to the condition of constipation (especially in cases of severe constipation) that the drug is going to resolve.

Do not use this medicine for long-term treatments .
Laxative abuse (frequent or prolonged use or excessive doses) can cause:
• dependence and therefore possible need to gradually increase the dose;
• chronic constipation;
• loss of normal bowel capacity (intestinal atony);
• persistent diarrhoea which may lead to loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutrients. In more serious cases, dehydration or a decrease in potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia) may occur which may cause dysfunction of the heart or nerves that control the muscles. The risk is increased if you are being treated at the same time with heart medicines (cardiac glycosides), medicines used against high blood pressure (diuretics) or medicines used against allergies and inflammation (corticosteroids).

Children
This medicine should not be used in children under 3 years of age.
In children aged between 3 and 12 years the medicine can be used only after consulting a doctor.


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- allergic (hypersensitivity) immune system responses, such as excessive swelling of the mucous membranes (angioedema) or skin reactions such as rashes or itching;
- dizziness;
- fainting;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal cramps, pain or discomfort;
- nausea, vomiting;
- isolated abdominal pain or abdominal colic (especially in cases of severe constipation).

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.