Quick question / help please on Movicol / Lactulose

[Aridane]

I know a prescription isn't needed for Movicol or Lactulose - so far, so good.

But does anyone know if it's available to purchase off the shelf in a supermarket (a 24/7 large Tesco Extra) or whether it has to be purchased via the pharmacy section.

Reason for asking = have a constipated mother with me and wondering whether a visit to Tesco (pharmacy now shit) would yield a small supply of Movicol or Lactulosre!

Movicol is definitely in the pharmacy. Not sure about lactulose - possibly? You can get ducolax (bisacodyl) and senna from the shelf. Hope that helps!

It’s always behind the counter but they don’t ask you any questions when you buy it.

Ah , thank you so much!! You have saved me a fruitless journey to Tesco

It's definitely the stool softening one I was after - mother gets movicol on prescription but forgot to bring it with her - and don't want to try a stimulant one such as dulcolax or senna

Thanks again

Will pick up some movicol from the pharmacy tomorrow morning

You can just buy lactulose. It isn't a stool softener though

Ah, NHS website lumps Lactulose in with Movicol

osmotic laxatives – such as lactulose and polyethylene glycol, which soften your stools and make them easier to pass by increasing the amount of water in your bowels

Lactulose and Movicol are different classes of laxative. Lactulose works by being fermented by bacteria in your gut which then draws water in, softening your poo - so it can cause bloating and wind as it ferments. It's also a lot weaker than Movicol - but one Movicol isn't going to run away with you, more that Lactulose may not work.

Movicol is completely inert - it passes through your gut unchanged and doesn't get absorbed. It works by attracting water to it so keeping water in your bowel rather than absorbed back into the body.

If you go to the pharmacy, Movicol is the brand name for Macrogol and they will almost certainly have a generic form of Macrogol in stock that is cheaper than Movicol and exactly the same thing.

Yes you can get both but not Movicol for children.

Movicol for children is half strength. So half an adult sachet is equivalent to one paediatric one in case that info is any use to anybody reading this thread.

Thank you for Movicol / Magrogol info and the further explanation