PHENOLPHTHALEIN

Brand & Generic Names

Agoral	Extra Gentle Ex-Lax
Agoral Marshmallow	Feen-A-Mint
Agoral Raspberry	Feen-A-Mint Gum
Alophen	Feen-A-Mint Pills
Caroid Laxative	Kondremul with
Colax	Phenolphthalein
Correctol	Medilax
Dialose Plus	Modane
Disolan	Phenolax
Doxidan	Phenolphthalein Petrogalar
Espotabs	Phillips' Gelcaps
Evac-U-Gen	Phillips' Laxicaps
Evac-U-Lax	Trilax
Ex-Lax Pills
Ex-Lax Maximum Relief
Formula

Basic Information

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

Uses

Constipation relief.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or wafer--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, chew or crumble and take with liquid or food.
Liquid--Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day, in addition to one taken with each dose.
Chewable tablets--Chew thoroughly before swallowing.

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:

• Dial O (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Rectal irritation.
• Pink to orange urine.

Infrequent:

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

Rare:

Irritability, confusion, headache, rash, difficult breathing, 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.

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 high blood pressure.
• 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
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Tablet coating may dissolve too
	rapidly, irritating stomach or
	bowel.
Antihypertensives*	May cause dangerous low potassium
	level.
Digitalis	Increased digitalis toxicity due to
	decreased serum potassium level.
Diuretics*	May cause dangerous low potassium
	level.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Milk.	Tablet coating may dissolve too
	rapidly, irritating stomach or
	bowel.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.