Tablet
Laxjoy 10 Tablet 10 mg Tablet
Generic: Sodium Picosulfate
Manufacturer: Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Therapeutic class: Stimulant Laxative
What is Laxjoy 10 Tablet?
Laxjoy 10 Tablet 10 mg tablet from Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. contains Sodium Picosulfate, a stimulant laxative used for the short-term relief of constipation. It is usually taken at bedtime so that it produces a bowel movement the next morning, typically within 6-12 hours. Higher doses are also used under medical supervision to clear the bowel before colonoscopy or surgery.
Sodium Picosulfate is a prodrug: bacteria in the colon convert it into its active form, which directly stimulates the nerves in the wall of the large intestine. This increases the natural squeezing movements (peristalsis) that push stool along, and also encourages water and salts to stay in the bowel, making the stool softer and easier to pass.
Indications
Sodium Picosulfate is indicated for:
- Short-term constipation — when lifestyle measures and gentler laxatives have not worked, or quick overnight relief is needed
- Constipation with painful anal conditions — to avoid straining with fissures or piles, per doctor's advice
- Bowel preparation — in combination products, to empty the colon before colonoscopy, imaging or surgery under medical supervision
It is a rescue option, not a daily habit. If constipation keeps returning, a registered doctor should look for the underlying cause instead of repeated stimulant laxative use.
Dosage & Administration
Usual dosing of Laxjoy 10 Tablet for constipation:
- Adults and children over 10 years: 5-10 mg (commonly 5-10 drops or one tablet, per product strength) once daily at bedtime
- Children: only on a doctor's prescription, dosed by age and weight
- Effect appears in about 6-12 hours — bedtime dosing gives a morning bowel movement
Start with the lowest dose and use it for the shortest possible time, generally not more than 5-7 consecutive days without medical advice. Drink plenty of fluids during use. Bowel-preparation regimens before colonoscopy follow a separate schedule set by the hospital or doctor. The dose for any individual patient should be confirmed by a registered doctor.
Side Effects
Possible side effects of Sodium Picosulfate:
- Common: abdominal cramps, gurgling, diarrhoea, nausea
- Less common: dizziness or faintness around bowel movements, vomiting
- With overuse or prolonged use: fluid loss and dehydration, low potassium and other electrolyte disturbances, dependence on laxatives with worsening bowel sluggishness
Stop the medicine and see a doctor if you get severe abdominal pain, persistent diarrhoea, blood in the stool, muscle weakness or palpitations — the latter two can signal potassium loss, which matters especially for heart patients.
Precautions & Warnings
Precautions with Sodium Picosulfate:
- Short-term only: regular use trains the bowel to depend on stimulation; limit to days, not weeks
- Rule out serious causes first if constipation is new, severe, or alternates with diarrhoea
- Maintain fluid intake; elderly patients are more prone to dehydration and electrolyte upset
- Caution in patients on diuretics, corticosteroids or digoxin, where potassium shifts are riskier
- If there is no bowel movement after 2-3 nights of use, do not keep increasing the dose — consult a doctor
- Address fibre, fluids and activity so the laxative can be stopped
Drug Interactions
Interactions of Sodium Picosulfate to keep in mind:
- Diuretics and corticosteroids: combined potassium loss increases the risk of electrolyte imbalance
- Digoxin: low potassium from laxative overuse heightens digoxin toxicity risk
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics: may kill the colonic bacteria that activate sodium picosulfate, reducing its effect
- Other laxatives: stacking them multiplies cramps, diarrhoea and fluid loss
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all your medicines, especially heart medicines and recent antibiotic courses, before using Laxjoy 10 Tablet.
Contraindications
Sodium Picosulfate must not be used in:
- Known hypersensitivity to sodium picosulfate or any component of the tablet
- Intestinal obstruction or ileus
- Acute abdominal emergencies — appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel disease, severe undiagnosed abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting
- Severe dehydration or significant electrolyte disturbance
Stimulant laxatives in these situations can cause perforation or dangerous fluid shifts. Children should receive it only on a doctor's prescription. If you are unsure whether it is safe for you, ask a registered doctor first.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: Sodium picosulfate is poorly absorbed and has not been linked to birth defects, but stimulant laxatives are generally reserved for occasional use in pregnancy after fibre, fluids and gentler options such as lactulose have failed — and only on a doctor's advice. Avoid regular use, which can cause fluid and electrolyte loss.
Lactation: Neither sodium picosulfate nor its active metabolite appears in breast milk in meaningful amounts, so occasional doses are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Persistent constipation while nursing should still be discussed with a doctor rather than managed with repeated stimulant laxatives.
Storage Conditions
Store below 30°C in a dry place, protected from light. Keep oral drops tightly capped and use within the period stated on the label after opening; keep tablets in their original blister. Keep out of the reach and sight of children — accidental ingestion can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration in a child. Do not use after the expiry date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I take Laxjoy 10 Tablet for the best effect?
<p>Take Laxjoy 10 Tablet at bedtime. Sodium picosulfate needs about 6-12 hours to be activated by colon bacteria and stimulate a bowel movement, so a night-time dose works conveniently by morning. Take it with water and keep your fluid intake up during the day. Avoid taking it just before travelling or important engagements, since the urge can be strong once it acts.</p>
Why is Laxjoy 10 Tablet recommended only for short-term use?
<p>Laxjoy 10 Tablet is a stimulant laxative — it forces the bowel muscles to contract. Used daily for long periods, the bowel can become dependent on that stimulation and increasingly sluggish without it, while repeated watery stools drain fluids and potassium. That is why it is limited to short courses (generally up to about a week) unless a doctor specifically directs otherwise. For long-term constipation, doctors prefer fibre, osmotic laxatives like lactulose, and treating the underlying cause.</p>
What is the difference between Laxjoy 10 Tablet and lactulose for constipation?
<p>Laxjoy 10 Tablet (sodium picosulfate) is a stimulant laxative: it triggers bowel contractions and works within 6-12 hours, suiting short-term rescue use. Lactulose is an osmotic laxative: it draws water into the stool, takes 1-2 days, and is gentler — often preferred for chronic constipation, pregnancy and long-term use under medical guidance. Doctors sometimes use a stimulant briefly to clear the bowel, then maintain regularity with an osmotic agent and lifestyle changes.</p>
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