Sorbitol

Sorbitol is used to relieve occasional constipation and irregularity. Sorbitol generally produces bowel movement in 1/4 to 1 hour when used rectally.

• Sorbitol is also used as a pharmaceutical aide (sweetener).
• For other uses of sorbitol, ask your doctor.

Adult and Pediatric Dosage Forms and Strengths

Irrigation solution

• 3 g/100mL (3%)

Oral solution

• 70%

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Constipation

• Adult, Oral: 30-150 mL (70% solution) once
• Adult, Rectal enema: 120 mL of 25-30% solution once
• Children under 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 2-11 years:
  • Oral: 2 mL/kg (as 70% solution) once
  • Rectal enema: 30-60 mL as 25-30% solution
• Children 12 years and older:
  • Oral: 30-150 mL (70% solution) once
  • Rectal enema: 120 mL of 25-30% solution once

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Adjunct

• Adult: 15 mL of 70% solution or 10-20 mL/2 hours orally until diarrhea occurs
• Children under 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 12 years and older: 15 mL of 70% solution or 10-20 mL/2 hours orally until diarrhea occurs

Transurethral Surgical Procedures

• 3-3.3% as surgical procedure irrigation

Common side effects of sorbitol include:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Excessive bowel activity
• Fluid and electrolyte losses
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• Lactic acidosis
• Nausea
• Swelling (edema)
• Vomiting

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Sorbitol has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Serious Interactions of sorbitol include:
  • sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• Moderate Interactions of sorbitol include:
  • deflazacort
  • dichlorphenamide
• Sorbitol has no known mild interactions with other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns or for more information about this medicine.

• This medication contains sorbitol. Do not take sorbitol if you are allergic to sorbitol or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Anuria, acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms of appendicitis or undiagnosed abdominal pain

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sorbitol?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sorbitol?"

Cautions

• Patients with severe cardiopulmonary or renal impairment.
• Dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities.
• Patients are unable to metabolize sorbitol.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use sorbitol with caution during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done.
• Use caution with the use of sorbitol if breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.