SODIUM PHOSPHATE POLY*120ML 16+6%

SODIO FOSFATO Polifarma Benessere 16% 6% rectal solution
Monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate / Bibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate

What it is and what it is used for
Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere contains the active ingredients monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate and bibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate, which belong to a group of medicines called laxatives.
They work by stimulating bowel movements, accelerating the passage of intestinal contents.
Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere is used in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over for:
- the treatment of constipation;
- emptying the bowel before and after an operation or in preparation for an intestinal examination.

Consult your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after a short period of treatment.

What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not use Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere

- if you are allergic to monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate, bibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
- if you have severe stomach pain, or any pain of unknown cause,
- if you have nausea or vomiting,
- if you suffer from obstruction or narrowing of the intestine or anus (intestinal stenosis, anorectal stenosis),
- if you suffer from difficult intestinal transit (sub-occlusion),
- if you suffer from a stoppage of the passage of intestinal contents (paralytic ileus), if it is due to a real obstruction (mechanical ileus)
- if you suffer from intestinal inflammation or other conditions that may increase the absorption of the medicine;
- if you have a perforation of the anal wall
- if you have a widespread dilation of the colon, congenital or acquired (megacolon)
- if you suffer from a congenital colon disease that manifests itself with severe difficulty in defecation (Hirschsprung's disease) if you lose blood from the rectum and do not know the cause,
- if you have hemorrhoids and they are bleeding,
- if you are severely dehydrated if you suffer from heart problems,
- if you suffer from severe kidney disease (renal insufficiency),
- if you have high levels of phosphate in your blood.
Do not give Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere to children under 12 years of age.

Do not use Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere together with other medicines containing sodium phosphate (oral solutions or tablets) see section "Other medicines and Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere"

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere.
Like all laxatives, do not use Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere daily or for prolonged periods without your doctor first assessing the cause of the constipation. The treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires the intervention of a doctor for diagnosis, prescription of medicines and monitoring during therapy.

Consult your doctor before using this medicine:
– when the need for a laxative arises from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that has lasted for more than two weeks or when the use of the laxative fails to produce effects,
– if you are elderly or in poor health, or if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, fluid in the abdomen (ascites), rectal ulcers.

Since forced administration of an enema can cause injuries, stop administration if you encounter resistance.

Please note that:
- prolonged use of a laxative for the treatment of constipation is not recommended.
- to treat constipation, medicines should only be an aid to hygienic-dietary treatment (e.g., increased vegetable fiber and fluids in the diet, regular physical activity..)
- you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water, or other liquids during treatment with laxatives to promote the softening of stools
- it is advisable to correct your eating habits by supplementing your diet with more fiber and water, during episodes of constipation

If you abuse laxatives (frequent or prolonged use or with excessive doses) you may experience:
- persistent diarrhea with consequent loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutrients.
- in more severe cases, dehydration or a decrease in blood potassium may occur, which can lead to heart or nerve and muscle dysfunction, especially if you are simultaneously taking heart medications (digitalis), medications to increase urine production (diuretics) or corticosteroids (anti-inflammatories).
Take fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if you are prone to this condition or if you are using medicines such as diuretics, or if you are on therapy for the treatment of high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors), heart failure or using anti-inflammatories, analgesics and antipyretics (NSAIDs).
• Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere contains sodium phosphates with the possibility of increased sodium and phosphate levels and concomitant decrease in calcium and potassium that can cause muscle cramps (tetany) and kidney failure.
- dependence (and, therefore, the need to increase the dose), chronic constipation and loss of normal bowel function (intestinal atony).
- it can lead to habituation or damage of various kinds

Children
Do not use Sodio Fosfato Polifarma Benessere in children under 12 years of age.

Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects may occur:

Effects involving the stomach and intestines and are more frequent in cases of severe constipation and rectal irritation.
• Pains and cramps
• abdominal cramps, diarrhea with loss of salts and water
• irritation of the end of the intestine (rectal irritation) nausea
• vomiting

Effects involving metabolism and nutrition
• High phosphate levels in the blood (hyperphosphatemia)
• low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia)
• tissue calcification
• low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia)
• high sodium levels in the blood (hypernatremia)

Effects involving the immune system
• Allergic reactions, for example urticaria

Effects involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue
• Blisters
• itching
• burning

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.