AICARDI LAXATIVE DROPS*FL15ML

Gocce Lassative Aicardi 7.5 mg/ml oral drops, solution
sodium picosulfate

What it is and what it is used for
Gocce Lassative Aicardi is an oral solution containing the active ingredient sodium picosulfate.
This active ingredient belongs to the class of contact laxatives (stimulant laxatives).
Gocce Lassative Aicardi is used for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation. Consult your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after a few days.

Health education notes:
Many people think they suffer from constipation if they do not have a bowel movement every day.
This is a misconception, as this situation is completely normal for a large number of individuals.
Constipation, on the other hand, means a situation in which bowel movements are reduced compared to one's personal habits and are associated with the passing of hard stools.
In most cases, a balanced diet rich in water and fiber (bran, vegetables, and fruit) can permanently solve the problem of constipation.
If episodes of constipation occur repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted.

What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not use Gocce Lassative Aicardi
- if you are allergic to the active ingredient or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in paragraph 6);
- if you have problems with the last part of the intestine called the "rectum" (rectal bleeding of unknown origin);
- if you have abdominal pain or abdominal cramps (colic), nausea, and vomiting;
- if you suffer from a blockage of the intestinal muscles (paralytic ileus);
- if you have intestinal problems (intestinal obstruction or stenosis) or obstruction or narrowing of the bile ducts (where bile flows, a substance involved in some digestive processes);
- if you are dehydrated (you have lost too much water);
- if you suffer from acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines (e.g., appendicitis);
- if you have diarrhea or are severely emaciated (have cachexia), because the laxative effect could be excessive;
- if you suffer from gallstones (presence of small stones that obstruct the flow of bile);
- if you suffer from reduced liver function (hepatic insufficiency);
- in children under 3 years of age;
- in children over 3 years of age without prior consultation with a doctor (see also paragraph "Children");
Gocce Lassative Aicardi is generally contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding (see paragraph "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").

Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before using Gocce Lassative Aicardi:
• if constipation is persistent. The treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires medical intervention for diagnosis, prescription of medicines, and monitoring during therapy;
• if you have noticed a sudden change in your bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) lasting more than two weeks;
• if you are elderly;
• if your health condition is not good.
Consult your doctor if, after a short period of treatment with this medicine, you do not achieve noticeable results.

The use of laxatives can sometimes cause symptoms such as dizziness and/or loss of consciousness up to fainting due to a nervous response mechanism of the body to abdominal pain or evacuatory effort, related to the condition of constipation (especially in cases of severe constipation) that the drug is going to resolve.

Do not use this medicine for prolonged treatments.
The abuse of laxatives (frequent or prolonged use or with excessive doses) can cause:
• dependence and therefore possible need to progressively increase the dose;
• chronic constipation;
• loss of normal bowel function (intestinal atony);
• persistent diarrhea which can lead to loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutrients. In more severe cases, dehydration or a decrease in potassium in the blood (hypokalemia) may occur, which can lead to dysfunction of the heart or nerves that control the muscles. The risk is increased if you are simultaneously treated with heart medications (cardiac glycosides), medications used for high blood pressure (diuretics), or medications used for allergies and inflammation (corticosteroids).

Children
This medicine should not be used in children under 3 years of age.
In children aged between 3 and 12 years, the medicine can only be used after consulting a doctor.

Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- allergic immune system responses (hypersensitivity), such as excessive swelling of the mucous membranes (angioedema) or skin reactions such as rashes or itching;
- dizziness;
- fainting;
- diarrhea;
- cramps, pain, or discomfort in the abdomen;
- nausea, vomiting;
- isolated abdominal pain or abdominal colic (especially in cases of severe constipation).

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.