Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S

About

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S is a stool softening laxative used to relieve constipation and to empty the stomach before colonoscopy. 

Constipation occurs when the muscle action (motility) of the large intestine becomes slow due to sudden dietary changes, lack of fiber diet, low fluid intake, or certain medicines. Constipation is more common in the elderly as they lose the bowel muscle tone with age. It may or may not be characterized by headache, and bloating. 

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S contains “Sodium Picosulfate” as the active substance which belongs to the class of medicines called Stimulant Laxatives. It works by increasing bowel movements along with softening the stool. 

Indications

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S is intended to be used for: 

• Constipation 
• Emptying the bowel before colonoscopy 
• Childbirth or radiological investigations

How Does Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S Work

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S contains sodium Picosulfate as an active agent that acts as a contact laxative to the fecal content. It inhibits the reabsorption of electrolytes and water from the walls of the colon whiles increasing their secretion into the lumen of the intestine. Sulfatase is a colonic bacterial enzyme that causes the hydrolysis of sodium picosulfate that produces an active metabolite, Bis(p-hydroxyphenyl) pyridyl 2 methane (BPHM). This metabole directly acts on the colonic mucus and stimulates the peristaltic movement of the colon. 

How To Use Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S is taken orally (by mouth) usually at bedtime or after meals. Intake of water is recommended, and the treatment should not exceed more than 5 days.  

Dosage

The active agent, “Sodium Pricosulfate” is available as: 

• 5mg tablet 
• 7.5 mg drops 
• 5mg/5ml syrup

Adult Dose

1-2 tablets daily after a meal and at bedtime. 

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily when using a laxative 

Pediatric Dose

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S is not intended to be given to children under 12 years of age. 

Pregnancy And Lactation

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S should not be used in pregnancy especially during the first trimester due to the risk of associated side effects such as diarrhea. However, if the therapy outweighs the risk of potential adverse effects, the treatment can be considered. 

It is not known if the active component releases in the breastmilk. The potential risk of side effects in the infant should be considered before treatment in the nursing mother. 

Contraindications

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S should not be used in:

• Hypertension 
• Obstruction of the intestine or ileum
• Acute appendicitis
• Acute Inflammatory bowel disease 
• Severe dehydration or diarrhea
• Children under 10 years of age 
• Fructose intolerance
• The first trimester of pregnancy

Precautions

• Do not exceed the treatment duration for more than a week unless your doctor recommends it. 
• Prolong usage of Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S leads to diarrhea, and hypokalemia occurs due to loss of electrolytes. 
• Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S should not be given to children under 12 years of age unless the doctor recommends it. 
• Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy. So, it should not be used if you are pregnant or trying to become. 

Interactions With Other Medications

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S may interact with the following medications: 

• Prednisolone
• Diuretics (e.g., Furosemide, Bendrofluazide)
• Amoxicillin
• Doxycycline

Adverse Effects

Common Adverse Effects 

• Diarrhea 
• Abdominal discomfort
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Abdominal pain
• Borborygmus (gurgling sound due to the movement of gas and fluid in the intestine)

Potential Adverse Effects 

• Skin rash (a symptom of drug rejection)
• Swelling of the lips and eyes
• Hypovolemia (loss of extracellular fluid and decrease in blood volume)

How To Cope with Some of The Adverse Effects

• Diarrhea- Take enough fluid and avoid caffeinated drinks. Oral rehydration salt restores the electrolytes in your body. Low fiber food in semi-solid form brings the bowel movement back to normal. 
• Abdominal pain- Taking a warm bath and heated wheat bag pressing helps relieve pain. Increase your fluid intake along with taking plenty of water. Reduce the consumption of caffeinated drinks as well as alcohol. 
• Skin Rash - Symptoms of an allergy include coughing, wheezing, runny nose, sneezing, redness of the skin, swollen eyes, rash, blisters, and throat swelling. Take an antiallergic over-the-counter medication to suppress the symptoms. However, you should take professional advice if the symptoms persist. 
• Nausea - Eat light and less spicy food and avoid food with high sugar content in it. Take frequent meals rather than taking a heavy meal at a time. Activity after eating should be avoided such as driving and playing. If there is vomit, take drink plenty of water in short intervals. 
• Bloating- There should be small and frequent consumption of meals with slow eating. Don’t take chilled drinks, increase physical activity, walk, and don’t lie down right after eating. These practices help reduce bloating and flatulence. 

Key Facts About Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S

• Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S is a stimulant laxative that softens the stool and eases constipation. 
• The best time to take Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S is before going to bed. Better to take it after meals and the treatment duration should not exceed more than 5 days.
• Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S is not intended to be administered to children below 12 years of age. However, other dosage forms of the same active ingredient, “sodium Picosulfate” are available for use in children (e.g., sulfolax drops).

FAQs

1. DO LIFESTYLE CHANGES HELP TREAT CONSTIPATION?

Taking enough fluid, a balanced diet, exercise, and not holding the need to go to the toilet. and eating fiber-rich foods helps relieve constipation. Lifestyle changes limit the need of taking curative medication for constipation. 

2. CAN A PREGNANT OR NURSING MOTHER TAKE Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S?

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, it can only be administered in pregnancy if the therapeutic effects outweigh the associated risk. It is not known if the active component releases in the breastmilk. The potential risk of side effects in the infant should be considered before treatment in the nursing mother. 

3. WHAT ARE THE STORAGE CONDITIONS OF Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S?

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat. 

4. CAN I DRIVE A BIKE AFTER USING Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S?

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S doesn’t usually cause dizziness so you can drive and lift weights. But if side effects like headache, nausea, and stomach pain appear, stop driving the vehicle for a while until you get stable. 

5. WHAT IF I MISS THE DOSE?

Take the dose as soon as you remember. It is the time the second dose is near, skip the previous one and take the second dose. Multiple administrations at a time can lead to diarrhea and electrolyte imbalances. 

6. CAN I STOP USING Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S ABRUPTLY?

Skilax 5mg Tablet 10 'S doesn’t show withdrawal symptoms. However, the treatment should not continue for more than 5 days to avoid adverse effects.