Absorption - response from manufacturer - long, sorry

[Guest guest]

Hi

I finally spoke to the company who makes Movicol (UK equivalent of

Miralax) today. It's been on my list of things to do for a couple of

weeks but I managed it today.

I spoke to a lady in Norgine's (the manufacturers) Medical Information

Team & she advised the following:

1) In " typical " people they expect the absorption rate to be less than

1% (she didn't have the exact figure to hand)

2) This " small " amount is absorbed via the kidneys into the body &

passed out in urine

3) I asked what symptoms I should look out for in my 4 year old son to

show that he may have absorbed some of the " ingregients " - she advised

they don't know what the symptoms are & I should refer back to my Doctor

4) The water taken with the powder (I'm assuming Miralax is the same -

powder mixed with water) is supposed to compensate for the water drawn

to the stool

5) I asked if I should expect a higher absorption rate as my son

has " leaky gut " issues & she replied " it is possible a higher amount

would be absorbed " .

6) Given 5) above, I asked if this would be absorbed into his

bloodstream considering he had leaky gut. She said yes.

7) Then the biggy - I asked " could you tell me what evidence you have

that this medication isn't harmful if absorbed by the body? " . She

advised there have been NO studies done on children with leaky gut

issues & therefore NO data is available. She then said that this is why

they leave it up to the Doctors to decide whether to " risk " it by

prescribing movicol given the nature of the child's other issues.

Presumably, the same Doctors that are routinely told during their

training that there is minimal absorption & that it is excreted out of

the body with no other effects.

So, unfortunately no joy there with any research evidence that 4% is

absorbed but she was definitely uncomfortable answering my questions &

did say that she was limited in what information she could give to me

as a member of the public. She said that if I was a medical

professional that they could provide more information. I think I will

ask our Doctor to give them a call then!

However, she is sending me a " brochure " to give me further information

so if & when this comes I'll post again if it is of any interest.

I think the conclusion I came to is that they wouldn't be funding any

studies to show that there are problems with the medication in children

that have other issues going on also as that would be hitting them hard

in the pocket.

We are still awaiting our specialist appointment with the gastro team -

there were 4 weeks to go (in counting!) but our Paediatrician took it

upon herself to cancel that appointment & not tell anyone. Long story,

but we are currently awaiting confirmation that the original

appointment has been re-instated, if not it will be back onto a 4 month

waiting list & another 4 months of tummy problems. Oh joy!

Thanks for listening!

Nerina in a cold, wet & windy Edinburgh, UK