Bowlax
Bowlax Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
The husk and seed of Plantago ovata are commonly known as psyllium or Ispaghula. Psyllium is widely used as a fiber supplement for the treatment of constipation. Psyllium husk is obtained by milling the seed of P.ovata.Psyllium is classified as a mucilaginous fiber due to its powerful ability to form a gel in water. This ability comes from its role as the endosperm of the P. ovata seed, where it's functions to retain water in order to prevent the seed from drying out. Psyllium husk contains
High proportion of hemicelluloseArabinoseRhamnoseGalacturonic acid units (arabinoxylans)35% soluble and 65% insoluble polysaccharidesMost of the Ispaghula reach the caecum within four hours after ingestion in an intact and highly polymerized form. Ispaghula husk significantly increases the level of stool moisture, as well as wet and dry stool weight and shorten gastrointestinal transit time. Anaerobic fermentation of the soluble non-starch polysaccharides from Ispaghula seed results in the production of short chain fatty acids, acetate, propionate and butyrate in the intestine. Butyric acid is the preferred oxidative substrate for colonocytes and may be helpful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Ispaghula has hypocholesterolemic effects also. It is assumed that Ispaghula increases the activity of cholesterol alpha hydroxylase, HMG-CoA reductase and fractional turnover of both chenodeoxycholic and cholic acids. As a result it decreases cholesterol absorption and lowers LDL cholesterol.
HighproportionofhemicelluloseArabinoseRhamnoseGalacturonicacidunits(arabinoxylans)35%solubleand65%insolublepolysaccharidesMostoftheIspaghulareachthecaecumwithinfourhoursafteringestioninanintactandhighlypolymerizedform.Ispaghulahusksignificantlyincreasesthelevelofstoolmoisture,aswellaswetanddrystoolweightandshortengastrointestinaltransittime.Anaerobicfermentationofthesolublenon-starchpolysaccharidesfromIspaghulaseedresultsintheproductionofshortchainfattyacids,acetate,propionateandbutyrateintheintestine.Butyricacidisthepreferredoxidativesubstrateforcolonocytesandmaybehelpfulinthetreatmentofulcerativecolitis.Ispaghulahashypocholesterolemiceffectsalso.ItisassumedthatIspaghulaincreasestheactivityofcholesterolalphahydroxylase,HMG-CoAreductaseandfractionalturnoverofbothchenodeoxycholicandcholicacids.AsaresultitdecreasescholesterolabsorptionandlowersLDLcholesterol.
| Trade Name | Bowlax |
| Generic | Ispaghula Husk |
| Type | Powder |
| Therapeutic Class | Bulk-forming laxatives |
| Manufacturer | Biostrass Health Sciences |
| Available Country | India |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
This medicine contains ispaghula husk which is a bulking agent. This means that when it is taken with water it increases the size of the faeces (stools) and helps solid waste to pass through the body. Bowlax sachets are used to treat constipation and in conditions where it is better for the patient to have soft stools. They are also used for patients who require a high fibre diet
Dosage
Bowlax dosage
Constipation:
- Adult: 3.5 g 1-3 times daily. Mix with a full glass of liq.
- Child: ≤12 yr Each level 5-mL spoonful contains 1.75 g: Half to 1 level 5-mL spoonful bid (morning and evening) to be dissolved in water.
Mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia:
- Adult: As adjunct to lipid-lowering diet: 7.5-10 g daily. Mix with a full glass of liq.
Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take before meals with a full glass of water.
Side Effects
Abdominal distention, flatulence, GI impaction, GI obstruction, hypersensitivity reactions e.g. rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchospasm and anaphylaxia; cutaneous symptoms (e.g. exanthema and/or pruritus).
Precaution
Patient with swallowing difficulty. Children.
Interaction
Concurrent use of licorice, laxatives and antidiabetic agents may result in increased risk of hypokalemia and hypoglycemia. Carbamazepine bio-availability may be reduced during concomitant administration of psyllium seed.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use
No adverse effects of has been reported in pregnancy & lactation.
Contraindication
Pre-existing faecal impaction, intestinal obstruction, natural or drug-induced reduction of gut motility, colonic atony e.g. senile megacolon.
Acute Overdose
Symptoms: Abdominal discomfort and flatulence.
Management: Maintain adequate fluid intake.
Storage Condition
Store below 30° C.
Innovators Monograph
You find simplified version here Bowlax
FAQ
What is Bowlax used for?
Bowlax is mainly used as a dietary fiber to relieve symptoms of both constipation and mild diarrhea, and occasionally as a food thickener. Bowlax can be used for the treatment of habitual constipation (constipation not caused by a physical change to an organ) and in conditions where softening of the stools is desirable to reduce pain when they are passed, such as anal fissures, haemorrhoids.
How safe is Bowlax?
You can take Bowlax for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as your doctor has recommended.
How does Bowlax work?
Bowlax contains dietary fibre, which when mixed with water forms a gel-like mass that works as a mild laxative (medicine used to treat constipation). It moves down the digestive system and makes the stools softer by increasing their water content.
What are the common side effects of Bowlax?
The most common side effects, which happen in more than 1 in 100 people, are wind and bloating. This sometimes happens because of the sudden increase of fibre in your diet. It should get better after a few days.
Is Bowlax safe during pregnancy?
Bowlax is generally safe to take during pregnancy.
Is Bowlax safe during breastfeeding?
Bowlax is not known to be harmful while breastfeeding as it is not absorbed by the digestive system. This means that your baby will not feel the effects of the laxative.
Can I drink alcohol with Bowlax?
Tablespoons of Bowlax with water, after excessive consumption of alcohol, doesn't let the alcohol get absorbed into the blood.
How do I take Bowlax?
Take Bowlax exactly as your doctor tells you to, or as directed on the pack. The usual dose for an adult is one sachet taken twice a day. Pour the granules from the sachet into a glass of water (about 150 ml), stir well, and then drink the liquid as soon as possible.
How often can I take Bowlax?
The usual dose for an adult is one sachet taken twice a day.
How does Bowlax take to work?
It takes 2 to 3 days for Bowlax to work. Talk to your doctor if you're still constipated after 3 days.
What is the best time to take Bowlax?
It is best if you take your doses just after a meal.
Can I take Bowlax for a long time?
You can take Bowlax for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as your doctor has recommended. This will usually be for up to a week. For more serious constipation, and if you're taking Bowlax to increase the fibre in your diet, your doctor may recommend that you take it for many months.
Who should not take Bowlax?
You should not take Bowlax if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if psyllium is safe to use if you have ever had: stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting; trouble swallowing; or a sudden change in bowel habits lasting longer than 2 weeks.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Bowlax is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
When should I stop taking Bowlax?
You can take Bowlax for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as your doctor has recommended. This will usually be for up to a week. For more serious constipation, and if you're taking Bowlax to increase the fibre in your diet, your doctor may recommend that you take it for many months.
How much Bowlax should I take?
The usual dose for constipation in: adults and children aged 13 years and over is 1 sachet of Fybogel granules twice a day. children aged 6 to 12 years is ½ to 1 level 5ml spoonful of Bowlax granules twice a day.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Can Bowlax affects my heart ?
Bowlax can affect your heart by lowering blood pressure, improving lipid levels, and strengthening heart muscle.
Is Bowlax bad for the liver?
The effects of Bowlax seed on liver lipids were more pronounced than those of pectin. Defatted Bowlax husk feeding virtually normalized liver size and serum triglyceride levels and produced lower serum total cholesterol levels and higher HDL-cholesterol than observed in normal controls.
Is Bowlax bad for kidneys?
For most healthy people, Bowlax offers a variety of benefits. Only people with certain conditions are advised to not take Bowlax, such as those with digestive conditions, kidney disease, or who have trouble swallowing.
Is Bowlax good for health?
Research shows that taking Bowlax is beneficial to many parts of the human body, including the heart and the pancreas.
Can I take Bowlax on an empty stomach?
Because Bowlax slows down the digestion of food, people should take it with food, rather than on its own, so it has a greater effect on blood sugar levels.
