DEHYDROCHOLIC ACID

Brand & Generic Names

Bilax
Cholan-HMB
Decholin
Hepahydrin
Neolax
Trilax

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Laxative (stimulant)

Uses

Constipation relief.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
Usually at bedtime with a snack, unless directed otherwise.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember.

What drug does:
Acts on smooth muscles of intestine wall to cause vigorous bowel movement.

Time lapse before drug works:
6 to 10 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Don't take within 2 hours of taking another medicine. Laxative interferes with medicine absorption.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Vomiting, electrolyte depletion.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Rectal irritation.

Infrequent:

• Dangerous potassium loss (thirst, weakness, heartbeat irregularity, paralysis and diarrhea).
• Belching, cramps, nausea.

Rare:

• Irritability, confusion, headache, rash, breathing difficulty, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Burning on urination.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have symptoms of appendicitis, inflamed bowel or intestinal blockage.
• You are allergic to a stimulant laxative.
• You have missed a bowel movement for only 1 or 2 days.
• You have liver disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have a colostomy or ileostomy.
• If you have congestive heart disease.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have an enlarged prostate.
• If you have a laxative habit.
• If you have rectal bleeding.
• If you take other laxatives.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to mother and unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Don't take for more than 1 week unless under a doctor's supervision. May cause laxative dependence.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
Don't take to "flush out" your system or as a "tonic."

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antihypertensives*	May cause dangerous low potassium
	level.
Diuretics*	May cause dangerous low potassium
	level.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.