How to take Movicol for constipation

Your child may have been prescribed Movicol for their constipation.

How do I give my child Movicol?

Sachets are packed in pairs. Tear down the perforation, and pour 1 sachet into a cup.

Get sachets and water ready	Rip sachets apart down perforation	Pour the Movicol powder into a cup
Pour 63ml of water into cup	Stir until the solution dissolves	The solution is now ready to drink
Images from Norgine Pharmaceuticals

Add 63ml of water to the cup, and stir until the Movicol powder dissolves.

If your child needs 2 sachets, please use 125ml of water.

What if my child is struggling to drink it?

If you child is struggling to drink the solution, you can try some of the following:

• add the solution to another drinks they like such as squash, milk, milkshake or hot chocolate. Please avoid giving it to your child in a fizzy drink, but this is okay if it is a last resort.
• add the solution to a thick smoothie or yoghurt
• put it in the fridge to cool down will help with the taste. You can also add ice cubes as well.
• put it in a cup or bottle with a lid
• give it to your child with a straw as this can help avoid it touching their taste buds
• freeze it into an ice lolly. To do this, add the solution to a drink they like and freeze it using a mould then place in the freezer.
• add to purred food such as mashed potato

The Movicol must be diluted with 63ml of water before adding it to any of the above.

How often do I give Movicol to my child?

For children aged 2 to 4 years old, give your child Movicol:

• Day 1: 2 sachets
• Day 2: 4 sachets
• Day 3: 4 sachets
• Day 4: 6 sachets
• Day 5: 6 sachets
• Day 6: 8 sachets
• Day 7: 8 sachets

For children aged 5 to 11 years old, give your child Movicol:

• Day 1: 4 sachets
• Day 2: 6 sachets
• Day 3: 8 sachets
• Day 4: 10 sachets
• Day 5: 12 sachets
• Day 6: 12 sachets
• Day 7: 12 sachets

For children aged 12 to 18 years old, give your child Movicol:

• Day 1: 4 sachets
• Day 2: 6 sachets
• Day 3: 8 sachets
• Day 4: 8 sachets
• Day 5:
• Day 6:
• Day 7:

Then reduce to a maintenance dose of:

Bristol Stool chart

Please keep track of the stools your child is passing by familiarising yourself with the Bristol Stool chart.

Type 1 is hard lumps or nuts which is hard to pass.

Type 2 is sausage-shaped but still a bit hard and lump.

Type 3 is a sausage-shape but with cracks on the surface.

Type 4 is a sausage or snake that is smooth or soft. This is the most ideal poo type.

Type 5 is soft blobs with clear-cut edges.

Type 6 is fluffy, mushy pieces with ragged edges.

Type 7 is watery with no solids.