VERECOLENE CM*20FC TAB 5MG

VERECOLENE C.M. 5 mg film-coated tablets
Bisacodyl

What it is and what it is used for
VERECOLENE C.M. contains bisacodyl as its active ingredient, which belongs to a class of medicines called contact laxatives, used to facilitate the elimination of faeces. The laxative effect is achieved thanks to bisacodyl's ability to soften faeces and stimulate bowel movements.

VERECOLENE C.M. is indicated for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation.

Consult your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days of treatment.

What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not take VERECOLENE C.M. if:
• you are allergic to bisacodyl or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• you suffer from an arrest of the passage of intestinal contents (paralytic ileus), or an obstruction or narrowing (stenosis) of the intestine;
• you have abdominal pain of unknown cause (including appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel diseases, and severe abdominal pain), associated with nausea and vomiting;
• you have rectal pain and/or bleeding of unknown cause;
• you are severely dehydrated, manifested by a dry and sticky mouth, thirst, scarcity of urine, absence or scarcity of tears, and dry skin;
• you have an intestinal disorder due to inflammation of the stomach and intestine (gastroenteritis);
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless specifically advised otherwise by your doctor.

Do not use VERECOLENE C.M. in children under 6 years of age.

Warnings and precautions
Do not use VERECOLENE C.M. for more than 7 days; use for longer periods requires a doctor's prescription.

Frequent or prolonged use or excessive doses can cause persistent diarrhoea, resulting in loss of water (dehydration), mineral salts, especially potassium (hypokalaemia), and other essential nutrients.
Water loss is manifested by thirst and scarcity of urine (oliguria). Potassium loss can cause undesirable, even serious, effects, such as heart and muscle dysfunctions, especially when treated concomitantly with certain heart medicines (cardiac glycosides), medicines that increase diuresis (diuretics), or those containing cortisone (corticosteroids).

Pay particular attention to laxative abuse, as especially contact laxatives (stimulant laxatives) can cause dependence (and, therefore, a possible need to progressively increase the dosage), chronic constipation, and loss of normal intestinal functions (intestinal atony).
Consult your doctor before using VERECOLENE C.M. if:
• you are elderly or not in good health;
• you suffer from kidney problems (renal insufficiency);
• you have heart problems;
• you have diabetes;
• you suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension);
• 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 if the use of the laxative has no effect;
• in children aged between 6 and 12 years.

STOP treatment with VERECOLENE C.M. and contact your doctor if you notice:
• abdominal pain and diarrhoea with blood, a possible sign of a severe intestinal pathology (colonic mucosal ischaemia);
• blood from the rectum, even mixed with faeces (hematochezia);
• dry and sticky mouth, thirst, scarcity of urine, absence or scarcity of tears, and dry skin (signs of severe dehydration), especially if you have kidney problems or are elderly.

Consult your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days of treatment.

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

If you experience any of the following, stop taking VERECOLENE C.M. immediately and contact your doctor:
• allergic reactions, even severe, such as: itching, sudden appearance of skin lesions, for example, patchy or widespread discolouration (rash), swelling (angioedema) of the face, eyes, lips, throat with difficulty breathing, with a possible sharp drop in blood pressure (anaphylactic reactions);
• abdominal pain and diarrhoea with blood, a possible sign of a severe intestinal pathology (colonic mucosal ischaemia);
• blood from the rectum, even mixed with faeces (hematochezia);
• dehydration, manifested by a dry and sticky mouth, thirst, scarcity of urine, absence or scarcity of tears, and dry skin.

Other side effects
Consult your doctor if you notice:

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• abdominal pain or cramps;
• nausea and diarrhoea.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
• vomiting;
• problems in the abdomen or rectum;
• dizziness.

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
• fainting (syncope);
• inflammation of the colon (colitis).

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. 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.