Patient info Search Menu

Danlax Suspension – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

Updated:
Contains active substance:

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Danlax suspension

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Danlax Suspension

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Dantron BP 25.0mg

Poloxamer 188 USNF 200.0mg

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Oral Suspension

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Constipation in terminally ill patients of all ages.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Dose:

Adults: 5 to 10 ml at night

Children: 2.5 to 5 ml at night Elderly: 2.5 to 5 ml at night

Method of Administration:

To be taken by mouth.

4.3 Contraindications

In common with other gastrointestinal evacuants co-danthramer suspension should not be given when acute or painful conditions of the abdomen are present, or the cause of the constipation is suspected to be intestinal inflammation or obstruction.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Oral administration of Dantron has been reported to cause intestinal tumours in rats and mice. It has also been reported to be hepatocarcinogenic in rats as well as in mice. There is no sound evidence to conclude a no effect dose and therefore there may be a risk of such effects in humans. Co-danthramer suspension may cause staining of the buttocks in incontinent and/or bedridden patients. This may lead to superficial sloughing of the skin. Therefore co-danthramer preparations should not be given to infants in nappies and be used with caution in all incontinent patients.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

There is inadequate evidence of the safety of co-danthramer preparations in pregnancy and lactation and therefore its use is not recommended.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Pink colouration of urine and staining of anal skin.

4.9 Overdose

Patients should be given plenty of fluids. An anticholinergic preparation such as atropine methonitrate may be given to offset the excessive intestinal motility.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Dantron is an anthraquinone stimulant laxative with activity similar to senna.

Poloxamer 118 is a wetting agent increasing the water content of the faeces and improving gut lubrication.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Dantron:

The activity of Dantron is largely a localised effect on the gut wall which occurs within 6-12 hours of administration. Treatment often results in the production of pink coloured urine indicative of some absorption. Excretion of Dantron occurs in the faeces and its presence in breast milk has been demonstrated. Pharmacokinetic data is not available.

Poloxamer 188

This active ingredient is not absorbed.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

There is no pre-clinical data of relevance to a prescriber which is additional to that already included in other sections of the SmPC.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Sucrose, Colloidal anhydrous silica, Xanthan gum, Lemon spirit, Citric acid monohydrate, Benzoic acid, Vanillin, Purified water.

6.2 Incompatibilities

None Known.

6.3 Shelf life

24 Months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. Protect from light.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

  1. 1. Amber glass bottle.
  2. 2. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle.

Closure: Polypropylene cap (with option for use of EPE faced sarenex liner).

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Keep bottle tightly closed.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Crescent Pharma Limited

Key House, Sarum Hill,

Basingstoke, RG21 8SR, UK.

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 20416/0686

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

11/08/1999

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

13/11/2024

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 20416/0686

Last revision stated in the text: 13 November 2024 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

What the sections and the side effect frequencies mean: How to read a patient leaflet

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Danlax suspension

What these facts mean

Active substance? Poloxamer 188
Excipients? Sucrose, Colloidal anhydrous silica, Xanthan gum, Lemon spirit, Citric acid monohydrate, Benzoic acid, Vanillin, Purified water.
Shelf life? 24 Months.
Storage Store at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. Protect from light.
Marketing authorisation? PL 20416/0686 (first authorised 11 August 1999)
Marketing authorisation holder? Crescent Pharma Limited

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.