Sodium Picosulfate is a laxative.
Sodium Picosulfate is a laxative that inhibits water and electrolytes absorption and increases their secretion. In cultured human, rat and rabbit liver cells, sodium picosulfate (1600 μg/ml) reduced the protein content in rabbit liver cells. Also, hepatocytes of rabbit were more sensitive to sodium picosulfate [1].
In patients underwent a barium enema, sodium picosulphate reduced the serum concentrations of sodium, potassium and urea by 1.299, 0.163 and 0.556, respectively [2]. In patients with morphine sulphate induced constipation, sodium picosulfate was well-tolerated and significantly improved constipation with normal stool consistency, not requiring suppositories, manual evacuation or enemas [3]. In patients with chronic constipation, sodium picosulphate (7 mg) improved stool frequency and straining in 82.8% patients and reduced bloating [4].
References:
[1]. Nishikawa J, Kast A. Effects of sodium picosulfate, bisacodyl and sennoside in cultured human, rat and rabbit liver cells. Arzneimittelforschung, 1981, 31(6): 1010-1013.
[2]. Ryan F, Anobile T, Scutt D, et al. Effects of oral sodium picosulphate Picolax on urea and electrolytes. Nurs Stand, 2005, 19(45): 41-45.
[3]. Twycross RG, McNamara P, Schuijt C, et al. Sodium picosulfate in opioid-induced constipation: results of an open-label, prospective, dose-ranging study. Palliat Med, 2006, 20(4): 419-423.
[4]. Wulkow R, Vix JM, Schuijt C, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to investigate the efficacy and safety of the acute use of sodium picosulphate in patients with chronic constipation. Int J Clin Pract, 2007, 61(6): 944-950.