Pico-Salax Special Precautions

Because a clinically relevant benefit of bowel cleansing prior to elective, open colorectal surgery could not be proven, bowel cleansers should only be administered before bowel surgery if clearly needed. The risks of the treatment should be carefully weighed against possible benefits and needs depending on surgical procedures performed.
An insufficient or excessive oral intake of water and electrolytes could create clinically significant, deficiencies, particularly in less fit patients. In this regard, patients with low body weight, children, the elderly, debilitated individuals and patients at risk of hypokalaemia or hyponatremia may need particular attention. Prompt corrective action should be taken to restore fluid/electrolyte balance in patients with signs or symptoms of hypokalaemia or hyponatremia.
Drinking only water to replace the fluid losses may lead to electrolyte imbalance which may in severe cases lead to complications such as seizures and coma. In rare cases, PICO-SALAX can cause severe or life-threatening electrolyte problems or impaired renal function in fragile or debilitated patients.
Care should also be taken in patients with recent gastrointestinal surgery as well as renal impairment, heart disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
Use with caution in patients on drugs that might affect water and/or electrolyte balance e.g. diuretics, corticosteroids, lithium (see Interactions).
PICO-SALAX may modify the absorption of oral medication and should be used with caution e.g. there have been isolated reports of seizures in patients on antiepileptics, with previously controlled epilepsy (see Interactions and Adverse Reactions).
The period of bowel cleansing should not exceed 24 hours because longer preparation may increase the risk of water and electrolyte imbalance.
This medicine contains 5 mmol (or 195 mg) potassium per sachet. This should be taken into consideration by patients with reduced kidney function or patients on a controlled potassium diet.
This medicine contains lactose as a component of the flavour. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
PICO-SALAX should not be used as a routine laxative.
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: Not relevant.