Patient leaflet - Isogel
1. What Isogel is and what it is used for
Isogel contains the active substance Ispaghula Husk. It is an easy and convenient way to increase the fibre in your diet helping your digestive system work more efficiently and gently relieving constipation the natural way. As it works naturally with your body, it takes care of constipation without undue straining, discomfort or unnatural urgency, helping to restore and maintain regularity.
Isogel can be used whenever increased fibre is needed in your diet to relieve constipation; including constipation during pregnancy. It can also be used to help maintain normal bowel function if you suffer from haemorrhoids (piles).
2. What you need to know before you take Isogel
Do not take Isogel if:
- you are allergic to Ispaghula husk or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- you have a sudden change in bowel habit that has persisted for more than two weeks
- you have rectal bleeding
- you have not had bowel movements following use of another laxative
- you are suffering from a blockage of the bowel (intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction)
- you have a weakness of the bowel wall (colonic atony)
- the speed in which material moves through your gut has always been slow (naturally occurring reduced gut motility)
- you have difficulty in swallowing or any throat problems
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Isogel if:
- Your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 days
- You have difficulty in swallowing or any throat problems
- You are elderly or are weak as you may require medical supervision
Take special care if you are a healthcare worker or care giver as allergic sensitisation may occur due to inhalation.
Make sure you take Isogel with enough liquid. Not enough liquid may cause chest pain, vomiting or difficulty swallowing.
Children
This product is not recommended for children under 6 years of age.
This product is not recommended for children under 12 years of age to treat constipation in irritable bowel syndrome.
Other medicines and Isogel
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
You must not take this medicine if you are taking other medicines which may cause constipation (e.g. codeine or morphine).
Isogel may delay absorption of other medicines and therefore should not be taken half an hour to one hour before or after taking other medicinal products.
Diabetic patients should only take this medicine under medical supervision because adjustment of antidiabetic medicines may be necessary.
Use of this medicine with thyroid hormones requires medical supervision as dosage of the thyroid hormone may require adjustment.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Isogel contains sodium metabisulfite, methyl hydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl hydroxybenzoate (E216)
Isogel contains sodium metabisulfite (E223) which may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.
Isogel contains methyl hydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl hydroxybenzoate (E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
3. How to take Isogel
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
For Oral use.
Fill a glass with approximately 240ml cold water. Pour in the required amount (see dosage below). Stir well and drink straight away, preferably after meals. Isogel should be taken during the day at least ½ to hour before or after any intake of other medicines and not immediately prior to bedtime.
The recommended dose is:
Adults and the elderly
Take two 5ml teaspoonful once or twice a day preferably at meal times.
Children over 12 years of age
Take one 5ml teaspoonful once or twice a day preferably at meal times. Fluid intake should be increased after taking Isogel.
Children under 12 years of age
Not recommended for children under 12 years of age
If you take more Isogel than you should
Do not take more than directed, if you accidentally take more than you should, drink plenty of water.
If you forget to take Isogel
If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you need further advice.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
This product can cause allergic reactions with symptoms including difficulty in breathing, wheezing or coughing, skin rash, itching and a sudden life-threatening allergic reaction.
This product contains allergens and it is possible to come into contact with them via skin, inhalation or when taking the product by mouth and may cause itchy eyes, runny or blocked nose and a skin rash. If symptoms appear, you should immediately contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Due to the increased fibre intake of your diet you may experience wind (flatulence) or bloating during the first few days of taking this product, which should lessen as you continue to take it.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Isogel
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25˚C.
Store in the original packaging to protect from moisture.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Isogel contains
The active substance is dried Ispaghula Husks 90% w/w
The other ingredients are:
Erythrosine solution (E127)
Sodium metabisulfite (E223)
Phosphoric acid
Gum mucilage: (Acacia tears, methyl hydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl hydroxybenzoate (E216), purified water)
What Isogel looks like and contents of the pack
This medicine comes in sachets of 150g, 165g, 200g or 300mg small reddish granules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Soho Flordis UK Limited
1 Botanic Court,
Martland Park,
Wigan,
WN5 0JZ,
UK
Trading as: Potter’s
For further information, call 01202 449752
If you would like a version of this leaflet in an alternative format, please call 01942 219960
PL 44893/0032