Gastroffin Oral Suspension

Gastroffin Oral Suspension is a combination medicine used in the treatment of constipation. This medicine makes the stool soft by retaining water and fat. It also helps in easy passage of gas and stool to reduce stomach discomfort.

Gastroffin Oral Suspension is taken with or without food in a dose and duration as advised by the doctor. The dose you are given will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. You should keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. If you stop treatment too early your symptoms may come back and your condition may worsen. Let your healthcare team know about all other medications you are taking as some may affect, or be affected by this medicine.

The most common side effects are diarrhea, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Most of these are temporary and usually resolve with time. Contact your doctor straight away if you are at all concerned about any of these side effects. Lifestyle modifications like having fiber-rich diet, increase fluid intake and regular exercise can help you to get better results.

Before taking this medicine, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. You must stop this medication and consult your doctor in case you encounter any allergic reactions symptoms include skin rash, swelling, and itching, etc.

• Constipation

Constipation
Constipation refers to irregular passing of stools, or hard and dry stools that makes it difficult to pass stools. Gastroffin Oral Suspension helps to stimulate bowel movements. It increases the movement of the intestines, this helps empty your bowels and relieve constipation. This medicine usually starts working within a few hours but it may take 1-2 days to show significant improvement in your condition. It relieves the pain and discomfort caused due to constipation and improves your quality of life. Eat more high-fiber foods including fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water to prevent constipation from happening.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Cretoffin

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramp
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Gastroffin Oral Suspension may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Gastroffin Oral Suspension is a combination of three laxatives: Liquid Paraffin, Milk of Magnesia and Sodium Picosulfate that relieves constipation. Sodium Picosulfate is a stimulant laxative which increases peristalsis (the wave-like movement of the intestines) to push the stools forward. Liquid Paraffin is a lubricant laxative which helps retain water and fat in the stools, while Milk of Magnesia is an osmotic laxative which works by drawing water into the intestine through osmosis, making the stools soft. Together, they make stools easier to pass.

• Gastroffin Oral Suspension is prescribed for short-term relief from constipation.

• Take it at least 2 hours after taking other medicines, as it may interfere with the absorption of other medicines.

• Sometimes certain medicines like iron tablets, antibiotics might cause constipation. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of them.

• Inform your doctor if you have a history of stomach disorders such as appendicitis or a blockage in your bowel.

• Do not take any other laxative along with Gastroffin Oral Suspension without consulting your doctor.

• Some healthy tips to prevent constipation from happening:

  1. Eat more fiber in your diet. Recommended daily intake is 20-35g.
  2. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.
  3. Exercise regularly at least 3 times per week.
  4. Do not hold in stool as that can worsen bowel issues.

Pasricha PJ. Treatment of Disorders of Bowel Motility and Water Flux; Antiemetics; Agents Used in Biliary and Pancreatic Disease. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC (Editors). Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 983-1008.

McQuaid KR. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ (Editors). Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 1067-1101.

Wolfe MM, Lowe RC (Editors). Pocket Guide to Gastrointestinal Drugs. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell; 2014.