skip to main content

What does it do?

Macrogol is used to treat and prevent constipation.

Before you start

  • Tell your doctor if you have a heart problem, or other stomach or bowel problems.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • If you have noticed a change in bowel habit that continues for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor before taking macrogol.

How should you take it?

Dissolve each sachet in water as directed before taking.

What if you forget a dose?

If you take macrogol regularly and it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with macrogol including:

  • other laxatives – discuss this with your pharmacist
  • anti-diarrhoea medicines such as loperamide (e.g. Imodium®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side EffectsRecommended action

Stomach cramps, bloating, farting, diarrhoea

Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

  • Drink plenty of fluids while taking macrogol.
  • To improve the taste, dissolved macrogol may be cooled.
  • Do not use macrogol for longer than 1 week unless told to by your doctor.

This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

Web links for this sheet in different formats

Click on buttons to copy web addresses for this leaflet:

If your browser does not automatically copy these links use its copy command instead.

About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed