What is the rationale for using macrogol 4000 in constipation?
Chronic constipation is a common problem in individuals of all ages [
1‐
5], with functional constipation having a prevalence of 9.5% (95% CI 7.1–12.1) in children [
5], and chronic idiopathic constipation having a median prevalence of 12% (95% CI 12–17) in adults [
1]. Health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) is impaired in patients with chronic constipation [
6,
7] Treatment of chronic idiopathic/functional constipation should include dietary and lifestyle changes (e.g. adequate fluid intake, increased dietary fibre, regular exercise and good bowel habits), and when these changes are insufficient, adjunctive treatment with a laxative, generally an osmotic or bulk-forming agent [
4,
8‐
13].
Osmotic laxatives increase the volume of intestinal fluids to the stools, improving the progression of the stool in the colon, as well as improving defaecation [
14]. Such agents include macrogols [inert, biologically inactive, non-absorbable polymers; also known as polyethylene glycols (PEGs)], poorly absorbed disaccharides (e.g. lactulose and lactitol, which are metabolized in the colon by bacterial flora) and poorly absorbed ions (e.g. magnesium hydroxide). High-molecular-weight (HMW) macrogols (i.e. macrogol 3350 and 4000 ± electrolytes) are indicated as first-line osmotic treatments for chronic constipation in children [
8,
9,
13] and adults [
10‐
12], as well as being used for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy [
14]. The length of the polymerization process determines the molecular weight of a macrogol, with the weighted average of the relatively narrow range of individual macrogol molecules providing the molecular weight of a given macrogol [
14].
This article reviews the pharmacological, efficacy and tolerability profiles of macrogol 4000 without electrolytes. It is available as sachets for use in children aged > 6 months and < 8 years (4-g sachet) [
15] and older children and adults (10-g sachet) [
16].
For whom is macrogol 4000 indicated?
Macrogol 4000 is used for the symptomatic treatment of constipation in adults and children aged ≥ 6 months [
15,
16]. It should be taken as a temporary treatment for constipation in addition to a healthy lifestyle and diet; in children, the maximum duration of treatment should be 3 months. Before initiation of treatment, an organic cause of constipation should be ruled out. The effects of macrogol 4000 become apparent within 24–48 h of administration [
15,
16].
In many countries worldwide, macrogol 4000 powder for oral solution is available as 4- and 10-g sachets for use in children aged ≥ 6 months and < 8 years, and adults and children aged ≥ 8 years, respectively (Table
1). In European Economic Area (EEA) member states, it is authorized as generic macrogol 4000, as well as under several tradenames, including Dulcobalance
® (UK), Dulcolax M Balance
® and Laxofalk
® (Germany), Forlax
® (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and the Netherlands), Idrolax
® (Ireland), Paxabel
® (Italy) and Tanilas
® (Greece). It is also available in many other countries, including, but not limited to, Algeria, Australia, Ukraine, Russia and Vietnam, as well as in countries in Africa.
Table 1
Summary of the use of macrogol 4000 in the treatment of constipation in adults and children [
15,
16]
How should the 4-g sachets of macrogol 4000 be taken in children aged ≥ 6 months and < 8 years?
|
Before treatment initiation | Rule out an organic cause of constipation |
Recommended dosage | Age 6 months to < 1 year: one 4-g sachet daily |
Age 1 to < 4 years: one or two 4-g sachets (4– 8 g) daily |
Age 4 to < 8 years: two to four 4-g sachets (8–16 g) daily |
Dosage adjustment | Adjust according to the expected clinical response |
Timing of administration | One sachet: a single dose in the morning |
More than one sachet/day: split between morning and evening doses |
Duration of treatment | Should not exceed 3 months (lack of longer-term data); maintain treatment-induced restoration of bowel movements by lifestyle and dietary measures |
How should the 10-g sachets of macrogol 4000 be taken in adults and children aged ≥ 8 years?
|
Before treatment initiation | Rule out an organic cause of constipation |
Dosage | One 10-g sachet daily, increasing to two 10-g sachets (20 g) per day |
Dosage adjustment | May range from one sachet every other day (especially in children) up to a maximum of two sachets per day according to the clinical response obtained |
Timing of administration | Preferably as a single dose in the morning |
Duration of treatment in children aged ≥ 8 years | Should not exceed 3 months (lack of longer-term data); maintain treatment-induced restoration of bowel movements by lifestyle and dietary measures |
How should the 4- and 10-g sachets of macrogol 4000 be prepared?
|
Dissolve contents of the sachet(s) in a glass of water (≥ 50 mL) and drink immediately |
What are the contraindications to the use of macrogol 4000?
|
Hypersensitivity to macrogol (polyethylene glycol) or any of the other ingredients |
Existing severe inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) or toxic megacolon; presence or risk of digestive perforation; ileus or suspicion of symptomatic stenosis or intestinal obstruction; painful abdominal conditions of unknown cause]: permeability to macrogol 4000 may be increased in the presence of intestinal inflammation [ 19] |
How should macrogol 4000 be used in special populations?
|
Patients who are diabetic or on a galactose-free or low-sodium diet | Macrogol 4000 may be used |
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding | Macrogol 4000 may be used; consult physician or pharmacist for advice |
Patients with fructose intolerance (rare hereditary disease) | Use is inadvisable (sorbitol in the orange-grapefruit flavouring undergoes conversion to fructose) |
What other special warnings/precautions pertain to the use of macrogol 4000?
|
Allergic reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock, angioedema, urticaria, rash, pruritus, erythema) | If an allergic reaction occurs, stop taking macrogol 4000 and seek medical help immediately |
Sulfur dioxide (present in the orange-grapefruit flavouring) may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm |
Risk of diarrhoea during treatment | Consult physician or pharmacist before initiating treatment if the patient has impaired renal or hepatic function, is receiving a diuretic, is elderly or is otherwise prone to electrolyte disturbances (risk of low levels of sodium or potassium in the blood) |
Consider monitoring electrolytes in these patients |
Potential interactions with other medical products | Macrogol 4000 may possibly cause transient reductions in the absorption of other medicinal products, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic index or a short half-life (e.g. digoxin, antiepileptics, coumarins and immunosuppressive agents), leading to decreased efficacy of these products |
Table
1 provides a summary of the use of macrogol 4000 as approved in the EEA member states [
15,
16]. Consult local information for further details.
What is the efficacy of HMW macrogols in treating constipation?
The efficacy of HWM macrogols without electrolytes, including macrogol 4000, in the treatment of constipation is well established. Although placebo-controlled trials of macrogol 4000 have not been conducted, there is considerable evidence showing HMW macrogols are more effective than placebo in treating constipation. For example, in randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials of macrogol 3350 without electrolytes (MiraLax
®) in 100–304 adults [
37‐
40] or children [
41], constipation-related outcomes (e.g. successful treatment, stool frequency, consistency and straining, patient/physician assessments of treatment, etc.) improved to a significantly (
p < 0.05) greater extent with macrogol 3350 than with placebo in the treatment of current constipation [
37], occasional constipation [
38], chronic constipation [
39], medication-induced constipation [
40] and childhood constipation [
41]. Relative to placebo, significant improvements in constipation-related outcomes were shown within the first few weeks of macrogol 3350 treatment in trials of 1-week to 6-months’ duration [
37‐
41], with improvements being maintained with treatment for 6 months [
39]. Moreover, in an open-label study in 311 adults (including 117 aged ≥ 65 years), macrogol 3350 successfully treated chronic constipation in 80–88% of patients at each monthly timepoint, with durable responses with treatment for up to 12 months [
42].
The following subsections focus on the efficacy of macrogol 4000 compared with other treatments for constipation in clinical trials in paediatric and adult patients. The results of randomized, controlled trials of macrogol 4000 in > 60 patients that are fully published in English are summarized in Tables
2 and
3. Supportive data from meta-analyses and other studies are also provided.
Table 2
Efficacy of macrogol 4000 without electrolytes in the treatment of chronic functional/idiopathic constipation of randomized, double-blind trials in > 60 children published in English
Macrogol 4000 vs macrogol 3350 + E or 4000 + E
|
4-week trial in 91 children aged 2–16 years [ 33] | Macrogol 4000 vs macrogol 3350 + E (dose based on pt weight, age and/or faecal impaction)a
| Stool frequency per week (mean)b: 9.2* vs 7.8 at week 4 |
No. of days with stool during trial (mean): 22.4* vs 19.6 |
No difficulty in administration (% of pts): 96** vs 62 |
Compliancec (% of pts): 98*** vs 88 at week 4 |
52-week trial in 97 children aged 0.5–16 years [ 46] | Macrogol 4000 vs macrogol 3350 + E (dose based on pt age) | Total diary constipation sum scores (mean change from BL at week 52 in PPP)b: − 3.81 vs − 3.74 (mean BGD − 0.07; 95% CI − 1.81 to 1.68)d
|
Daily dosage relative to weight (mean): 0.43 vs 0.29*** g/kg at week 52 |
Treatment successe (% of pts): 33 vs 25 at week 1 |
Treatment successe (% of pts): 45 vs 50 at week 52 |
Rescue laxative use (% of pts): 18 vs 35 at week 52 |
Normal stool consistency (% of pts):70 vs 52 at week 4 |
Treatment duration (days): 327 vs 261** |
Macrogol 4000 vs lactulose
|
2-week trial in 216 children aged 8–18 years [ 47] | Macrogol 4000 (20 g/day) vs lactulose (15 mL g/day) | Stool frequency per weekb (median): 7* vs 6 at week 2 |
Stool consistency scoreb (mean): 4.3* vs 3.6 at week 2 |
Clinical remissione (% of pts): 70.5* vs 39.6 at week 1 |
Clinical remissione (% of pts): 72.4* vs 41.4 at week 2 |
Disappearance of abdominal pain (% of pts): 76.4 vs 56.7 at week 2 |
4-week trial in 88 children aged 1–3 years [ 48] | Macrogol 4000 (10–30 g/day) vs lactulose (10–30 g/day) | Stool frequency per dayb (mean change from BL): 0.51*** vs 0.15 at week 4 |
Stool consistency score (mean): 2.1** vs 1.7 at week 4 |
Ease of stool passage score: 1.6*** vs 1.2 at week 4 |
12-week trial in 96 infants/toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years [ 49] | Macrogol 4000 (4–8 g/day) vs lactulose (3.33–6.66 g/day) | Stool frequency per week (median): 8.5 vs 11.5 (age 0.5–1 years); 7 vs 6 (age > 1–3 years) at week 12 |
Frequency of hard stools (% of pts): 6** vs 28 at week 12 |
Normal stool consistency (% of pts): ≈ 75 vs ≈ 75 at month 2–6 |
Macrogol 4000 vs magnesium hydroxide
|
4-week trial in 89 children aged 1–4 years [ 35] | Macrogol 4000 (median 0.5 g/kg/day) vs magnesium hydroxide (median 0.6 mL/kg/day) | Improvementf (% of pts)b: 91** vs 65 at week 4 |
Stool frequency per week (median change from BL): 3* vs 2 at week 4 |
Compliancec (% of pts): 89* vs 72 at week 4 |
Table 3
Efficacy of macrogol 4000 without electrolytes in the treatment of chronic functional/idiopathic constipation in randomized, double-blind trials in > 60 adults published in English
Macrogol 4000 vs macrogol 3350 + E or 4000 + E in adults or the elderly
|
4-week trial in 266 adults [ 54] | Standard dose: macrogol 4000 (10 g/day) vs macrogol 3350 + E (5.9 g/day) | Stool frequency per week (mean)a: 6.2† vs 7.2† at week 4b
|
Stool consistency score (mean): 3.4† vs 3.7† at week 4b
|
Straining at stool score (mean): 2.0† vs 1.9† at week 4b
|
First BM within 1 day of starting treatment: (% of pts): 67.3 vs 77.1b
|
High dose: macrogol 4000 (20 g/day) vs macrogol 3350 + E (11.8 g/day) | Stool frequency per week (mean)a: 7.2† vs 7.8† at week 4b
|
Stool consistency score (mean): 3.2† vs 3.1† at week 4b
|
Straining at stool score (mean): 2.0† vs 2.0† at week 4b
|
First BM within 1 day of starting treatment: (% of pts): 73.1 vs 82.3b
|
4-week trial in 62 institutionalized pts aged ≥ 65 years [ 55] | Macrogol 4000 vs macrogol 4000 + E (12 g daily or every other day) | Stool frequency per week (mean)a: 8.5 vs 8.4 at week 4 |
Normal stool consistency (% of pts):70 vs 52 at week 4 |
Macrogol 4000 vs lactulose in the elderly
|
6-month trial in 245 pts aged ≥ 70 years [ 58] | Macrogol 4000 (10–30 g/day) vs lactulose (10–30 g/day) | Stool frequency per week (mean): 7.0–7.3* vs 5.5–6.2 at month 2–6 |
Normal stool consistency (% of pts): ≈ 75 vs ≈ 75 at month 2–6 |
In children
The efficacy of macrogol 4000 in children was initially shown in studies investigating the use of various dosages of macrogol 4000 in children with chronic functional constipation [
43,
44]. A noncomparative 3-month study in 96 children aged 0.5–16 years found that a daily dosage of ≈ 0.5/g/kg was effective in normalizing bowel habits in > 90% of constipated children and stopping faecal soiling in > 60% of children with this symptom at baseline [
43]. In a 4-week trial in 90 children aged 1–18 years, treatment success [defined as ≥ 3 bowel movements (BMs)/week with no faecal soiling during week 4] was achieved by 89% of low-dosage (0.3 g/kg/day) recipients and 97% of high-dosage (0.7 g/kg/day) recipients; however, the low-dosage was associated with an increased risk of painful defaecation, fewer stools/week and lower parental satisfaction [
44].
The 4-g sachet of macrogol 4000 was introduced to meet the clinical need for a macrogol 4000 product suitable for use in young constipated children [
45]. This was shown in a retrospective study of macrogol 4000 prescriptions in children aged 0–18 years in France from 1997 to 2007, which found considerable off-label use of the 10-g sachets of macrogol 4000 in children aged < 8 years before the 2005 introduction of the 4-g sachet for use in children aged 6 months to < 8 years [
45]. Increases in the number of prescriptions for the 4-g sachet increased and those for the 10-g sachet decreased in paediatric patients once the 4-g sachet was available [
45], reflecting the clinical need for such a product.
Macrogol 4000 vs macrogol 3350/4000 + electrolytes
In children, the clinical profile of macrogol 4000 was somewhat better than, or comparable to, that of macrogol 3350 + electrolytes [
33,
46]. In a 4-week trial, BM frequency was significantly (
p = 0.025) better with macrogol 4000 than with macrogol 3350 + electrolytes, but there were no significant between-group differences (BGDs) in other constipation-related outcomes (Table
2) [
33]. Of note, the macrogol 4000 formulation was better accepted by children than the electrolyte formulation, as shown by the significant (
p < 0.001) BGDs favouring macrogol 4000 with regard to administration-related difficulties and taste/palatability, but there was no significant BGD in the rate of compliance.
The non-inferiority of macrogol 3350 + electrolytes relative to macrogol 4000 was not established in a 52-week trial (Table
2); however, the overall long-term efficacy of the two formulations appeared to be generally comparable [
46].
Macrogol 4000 versus lactulose
In clinical trials in children, macrogol 4000 was generally more effective than lactulose in the treatment of chronic constipation (Table
2) [
47‐
49]. Macrogol 4000 increased the weekly frequency of BMs, stool consistency and other outcomes to a significantly greater extent than lactulose within 1 or 2 weeks of treatment in 2- and 4-week trials [
47,
48]. At the end of a 12-week trial in infants and toddlers (Table
2) [
49], weekly BM frequency did not differ to a significant extent between macrogol 4000 and lactulose, but stool consistency scores did (Table
2). Changes from baseline in appetite scores (+ 19 vs − 4%), and the proportions of patients with faecal impaction (2 vs 13% at week 12) and enema use (17 vs 41% from week 6 to 12) were significantly (
p < 0.05) better with macrogol 4000 than with lactulose [
49].
Macrogol 4000 was also more effective than lactulose in treating chronic neurogenic constipation in children with myelomeningocele [
50]. In a 6-month trial in 67 children aged 3–14 years with chronic neurogenic constipation, macrogol 4000 was associated with significantly (
p < 0.01) higher rates of complete remission of constipation (i.e. ≥ 3 BMs/week) than lactulose (46 vs 22% of patients) and stool frequency (mean 5.1 vs 2.9 BMs/week) at 6 months, as well as at all earlier timepoints (1 and 3 months). The frequency of encopresis significantly (
p < 0.01) decreased from baseline in both groups at month 1 onwards.
In meta-analyses of RCTs in children [
51,
52], or primarily children [
53], with chronic constipation, macrogols were better than lactulose [
51,
53], or lactulose or other non-macrogol laxatives [
52], with regard to improvements in weekly BM frequency [
51,
53], stool consistency [
53], relief of abdominal pain [
53], the need to use additional laxative agents [
51,
53] and successful faecal disimpaction [
52] [based on data from six [
51], seven [
52] or ten RCTs (six in children and four in adults) [
53]]
Macrogol 4000 vs magnesium hydroxide
In children, macrogol 4000 was more or equally effective as magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) in treating chronic functional constipation in two randomized trials [
35,
36]. In the larger trial (Table
2) [
35], 94 children (aged 1–4 years) received macrogol 4000 at an initial dosage 0.5 g/kg/day or magnesium hydroxide at an initial dosage of 0.5 mL/kg/day; dosages of both agents could be adjusted to provide the minimum effective dosage. Macrogol 4000 was significantly more effective than magnesium hydroxide with regard to improvements in constipation and patient compliance with treatment (Table
2) [
35].
In the smaller trial [
36], 38 children received macrogol 4000 or magnesium hydroxide for 6 months. There were no significant BGDs in constipation-related efficacy outcomes, with both treatments providing improvements from baseline in all outcomes. However, macrogol 4000 was more acceptable to children than magnesium hydroxide (0 vs 42.9% of children refused treatment [
36].
In adults
Macrogol 4000 vs macrogol 3350/4000 + electrolytes
In two 4-week trials (Table
3), macrogol 4000 was effective as PEG 3350 + electrolytes in treating chronic constipation in adults [
54], and as effective as PEG 4000 + electrolytes in treating elderly institutionalized patients [
55]. In the latter trial, the taste of macrogol 4000 tended to more acceptable than that of PEG 3350 + electrolytes, with 12 and 31% of macrogol 4000 and PEG 3350 + electrolytes recipients rating the taste to be ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’, and 85 and 63% being willing to continue treatment; however, the BGDs did not achieve statistical significance [
55].
In another 4-week trial in 256 adults with chronic constipation, macrogol 4000 was significantly (
p< 0.001) preferred over macrogol 3350 + electrolytes with regard to patient assessments of global improvement of constipation, evolution in stool frequency, global digestive satisfaction, HR-QOL and taste and physician scores [
34]. A network meta-analysis compared the relative efficacy of macrogol 3350/4000 ± electrolytes in the treatment of functional constipation in adults [
56]. Based on data in a total of 1032 patients, macrogol without electrolytes and macrogol + electrolytes were both effective in increasing weekly stool frequency relative to placebo [increase of 1.8 (95% CI 1.0–2.8) and 1.9 (95% CI 0.9–3.0) BMs/week]. However, the addition of electrolytes to HMW macrogols did not appear to improve efficacy, as there were no significant differences between macrogol without and with electrolytes with regard to clinical outcomes based on data in 328 patients [
56].
Macrogol 4000 versus lactulose
In a 3-month tolerability study in 175 adults with chronic constipation [
57], patient satisfaction scores were higher with macrogol 4000 than with lactulose (78.8 vs 63.4 mm), as was the mean weekly number of stools from week 2 to week 12 (6.1 vs 4.8 at week at 12), and the proportion of patients with reduced defaecation difficulties (69.4 vs 44.5%) [statistical significance not reported].
In a 6-month tolerability trial [
58], macrogol 4000 was significantly more effective than lactulose in improving BM frequency from month 2 onwards in elderly (aged ≥ 70 years) patients in community- and nursing-home settings with chronic constipation (Table
3). Although ≈ 75% of patients in both treatment groups achieved normal stool consistency from 2 months onwards, overall stool consistency significantly favoured macrogol 4000 (
p < 0.05 at each monthly timepoint), with macrogol 4000 being associated with a greater number of patients with soft/liquid stools and a lower number with hard stools than lactulose [
58].
In the network analysis [
56], there was a 97.6% probability that macrogol was better in increasing the frequency of BMs relative to lactulose in adults with chronic constipation (based on one dataset) [
28]. In meta-analyses in adults with chronic constipation [
56,
59], macrogols were better than lactulose [
56,
59], with regard to improvements in weekly BM frequency [
56], (based on data from seven RCTs [
59]).
Macrogol 4000 was predicted to be cost effective relative to lactulose from a UK healthcare perspective in adults aged ≥ 18 years with chronic functional constipation [
60]. A decision model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of general practitioners prescribing macrogol 4000 instead of lactulose over 3 months (year of costing not reported). At 3 months after laxative initiation, 42 and 31% of macrogol 4000 and lactulose recipients were predicted to be successfully treated (
p < 0.0001), at a respective cost of ₤115 and ₤102, and with respective increases of 0.213 and 0.210 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). This equated to an acceptable cost per QALY gained of ₤4333 [
60].
Macrogol 4000 vs psyllium hydrocolloid
Macrogol 4000 and psyllium hydrocolloid were both effective in treating chronic constipation in a 2-week trial in 124 adults (available as an abstract) [
61]. Once-daily administration of 10 g of macrogol 4000 provided significantly (
p < 0.05) higher rates of effectiveness (not defined) than twice-daily administration of psyllium hydrocolloid 6 g (81.0 vs 62.7%). BM frequency and stool consistency were normalized and main GI symptoms disappeared in both treatment groups [
61].
What is the current clinical position of macrogol 4000?
Macrogol 4000, a biologically inert, non-absorbable osmotic laxative, is a valuable and well-tolerated option in the treatment of chronic constipation. According to recent UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE) [
8] and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN) [
9] guidelines, HMW macrogols, such as macrogol 4000, are indicated as first-line pharmacological treatments for chronic constipation in children and young people. Likewise, according to guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) [
10], the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) [#8] and the Societe Nationale Francaise de Colo-Proctologie (SNFCP) [
11], HMW macrogols are indicated as first-line pharmacological treatments for chronic constipation in adults. Such recommendations are based on the excellent short- and long-term efficacy and tolerability profiles of HMW macrogols, including macrogol 4000.
HMW macrogols ± electrolytes have generally similar efficacy profiles. However, the taste of macrogol 4000 is generally preferred over that of macrogol 3350 + electrolytes, which is probably due to the taste of the added electrolytes. This may help improve patient compliance, especially in children and the elderly, which, in turn, will improve the effectiveness of treatment for chronic constipation. The addition of electrolytes to macrogol 4000 is not required as it is not associated with clinically relevant electrolyte disturbances.
Macrogol 4000 is more effective than lactulose in increasing BM frequency and improving stool consistency and other constipation-related outcomes, and is associated with less vomiting and flatulence as, unlike lactulose, HMW macrogols are not fermented by colonic bacteria. Whereas HMW macrogols are indicated for the first-line treatment of chronic constipation in children, lactulose is indicated as second-line therapy in children if HWM macrogols are not tolerated (NICE guidelines) [
8] or as first-line therapy if HWM macrogols are not available (ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN guidelines) [
9]. In adults, the use of HMW macrogols is preferred over that of lactulose, according to the ASCRS [
12] and SNFCP [
11] guidelines, with the ACG guidelines stating that the quality of evidence of effectiveness is high for HMW macrogols but low for lactulose [#13]. Comparisons with other osmotic and bulk-forming laxatives are limited, with macrogol 4000 being at least or more effective in treating chronic constipation than magnesium hydroxide in children and psyllium hydrocolloid in adults. Prucalopride, a selective, high affinity serotonin (5-HT
4) receptor agonist with prokinetic activity, is another effective option for the treatment of chronic constipation; however, it is only currently approved to treat symptoms of chronic constipation in adults in whom laxatives fail to provide adequate relief in the EU [
67], and is not approved in the USA. According to the SNFCP guidelines [
11], the use of prucalopride is indicated after the failure of osmotic laxatives and lifestyle and dietary changes.
The use of HMW macrogols as a preferred laxative has been shown in a 2-month multicentre study in 878 adults with chronic constipation conducted in Italy [
68]. HMW macrogols were prescribed to 69.4% of patients, enemas to 27.1%, suppositories/microenemas to 22.6%, prucalopride to 14.4%, lactulose/lactitole to 6.6%, and stimulant, softening and saline laxatives to 6.3, 5.2 and 3.5% of patients, respectively. In addition, 82.2% of patients received lifestyle recommendations, 85.3% dietary suggestions, 55.7% fibre supplements and 36.2% probiotics [
68].
Further pharmacoeconomic studies versus new laxative agents would be useful. In their absence, acquisition costs for HMW macrogols may be lower than that of new agents, and macrogol 4000 has been predicted to be cost effective relative to lactulose from a UK healthcare perspective [
60].
Acknowledgements
The manuscript was reviewed by: M. Alboraie, Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; M. Bellini, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; M.A. Benninga, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children’s Hospital/Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; C. Blandizzi, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. During the peer review process, Ipsen Consumer Healthcare, a marketing-authorization holder of macrogol 4000, was also offered an opportunity to provide a scientific accuracy review of their data. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.