Tips for taking macrogol (movicol)

Your child may have been prescribed macrogol for their constipation. Macrogol laxatives may be sold under a few different brand names such as Movicol, CosmoCol or Laxido.

How do I give my child macrogol?

Sachets are packed in pairs. Tear down the perforation, and pour 1 sachet into a cup. Pour in 63ml of water and stir until the solution is clear.

Get jug of water and sachets ready.

Rip sachets apart down perforation.

Pour the macrogol powder into a cup.

Measure out 63ml of water.

Pour 63ml of water into the cup.

Stir until the solution dissolves.

Once the solution is clear, it is now ready to drink.

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

For more information about how to take macrogol laxatives, please visit the ERIC website or the Medicine for Children website.

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

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.