Dosing and uses of Sorbitol
Adult dosage forms and strengths
irrigation solution
- 3g/100mL (3%)
Constipation
0.5-2 mL/kg up to 50 mL of 70% solution PO qDay/QId
120 mL of 25-30% solution PR qDay
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Adjunct
15 mL of 70% solution or 10-20 mL/2 hours PO until diarrhea occurs
Poisoning
Gastric lavage: When used with activated charcoal: 4.3 mL/kg of 70% sorbitol solution with 1 g/kg of activated charcoal PO q4hr until 1st stool is passed
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
irrigation solution
- 3g/100mL (3%)
Constipation
2-11 years: Up to 0.5 g/kg PO or 30-60 mL of 25-30% solution PR qDay
≥12 years: 0.5-2 mL/kg up to 50 mL of 70% solution PO qDay/QID or 120 mL (25-30% solution) PR qDay
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Adjunct
≥12 years: 15 mL of 70% solution or 10-20 mL/2 hours PO until diarrhea occurs
Poisoning
When used with activated charcoal: 4.3 mL/kg of 35% sorbitol solution with 1g/kg of activated charcoal PO q4hr until 1st stool is passed
Sorbitol adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Excessive bowel activity
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Warnings
Contraindications
Acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms of appendicitis or undiagnosed abdominal pain
Cautions
Oral: pts with severe cardiopulmonary or renal impairment
Dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: NA
Lactation: not recommended
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Sorbitol
Onset: 0.25-1 hr
Bioavailability: poor absorption (oral and rectal)
Metabolism: mainly in the liver to fructose
Mechanism of action
Polyalcoholic sugar with hyperosmotic effects
