Properties
What is it?
Alax® Aloe capensis+Frangulae corticis extractum siccum What Alax Contains: 1 sugar-coated tablet contains: 10-15 mg of anthranoid compounds, in the form of aloin. Active Ingredients: 35 mg of dried juice of Aloe barbadensis Miller and/or Aloe ferox Miller, in powder form (aloe leaves) with an anthranoid content, calculated as 18% aloin. 42 mg of dry extract of Rhamnus frangula L. bark (buckthorn bark), DER 5-8:1, extractant: methanol) with an anthranoid content, calculated as 15% aloin. Excipients: Core: Microcrystalline cellulose, with colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, magnesium stearate, Coating: Sucrose, talc, spray-dried gum arabic, mixture of white beeswax and carnauba wax, Ponceau 4R (E 124). What Alax Is and What It Is Used For: The anthranoids contained in the preparation have a laxative effect. Their mechanism of action involves strengthening the peristalsis of the large intestine (by irritating nerve endings) and suppressing water absorption from the intestine. As a result, bowel movements are accelerated and intestinal contents are softened. The laxative effect may develop 8-12 hours after taking the preparation. Alax is intended for short-term use for episodic constipation in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age. If symptoms worsen or do not disappear, consult a doctor. When Not to Use Alax: - Do not use the preparation if you have hypersensitivity (allergy) to the active ingredients or to any of the substances contained in the product. - Contraindications for the use of the product include intestinal obstruction and stenosis, atony, appendicitis, inflammatory diseases of the large intestine (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), abdominal pain of unknown origin, severe dehydration with water and electrolyte deficiency. - Do not use in children under 12 years of age. Warnings and Precautions: - If you are taking heart medications, diuretics, corticosteroids, or preparations made from licorice root, consult your doctor before starting to use preparations made from buckthorn bark and aloe. - Like other laxatives, preparations made from buckthorn bark and aloe should not be used by patients with intestinal obstruction or undiagnosed, acute or chronic gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, unless a doctor gives consent for their use. - If daily use of laxatives is necessary, the cause of constipation must be determined. - Avoid prolonged use of laxatives. Use for longer than 1-2 weeks is not recommended and should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. - If stimulant laxatives are taken for a long time, intestinal function may be impaired (intestinal atony) and dependence on these agents may develop, leading to the need for increased doses and worsening constipation. - Preparations containing buckthorn bark and aloe are used only when therapeutic effect cannot be achieved by changing dietary habits or taking agents that increase the volume of intestinal contents. - When taking preparations containing buckthorn bark and aloe, patients with fecal incontinence should have their diapers changed more frequently to prevent irritation of the perianal area. - In patients with impaired kidney function, the use of preparations containing buckthorn bark and aloe may cause electrolyte imbalance. - Use Alax with caution in the presence of concomitant kidney diseases. Consult a doctor before use. - Use Alax with caution in elderly patients. - Children: Do not use in children under 12 years of age. Alax and Other Medications: You should inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medications you plan to take. - Prolonged use of laxatives may increase and/or alter the effect of medications for heart disease. - Simultaneous use of diuretics, corticosteroids, or preparations made from licorice root may cause electrolyte imbalance. - The preparation may reduce the absorption of other oral medications. Pregnancy and Lactation: Do not use during pregnancy. As no data confirming its safety of use are available, it is not recommended to use this medicinal product during lactation. Some metabolites may pass into breast milk. If you suspect you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication. Driving and Operating Machinery: The preparation does not affect the ability to drive and operate machinery. Alax contains lactose. If you have been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, consult your doctor before taking this preparation. The dye (Ponceau 4R) contained in this medicinal product may cause allergic reactions. How to Use Alax: The preparation should be taken in accordance with the instructions for use or as recommended by a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. If in doubt, consult a doctor or pharmacist. - Children over 12 years of age, adults, elderly patients: 1-2 sugar-coated tablets in the evening, followed by a glass of water. Usually, taking the preparation no more than 2-3 times a week is sufficient. The optimal single dose is the minimum dose that causes bowel emptying with softened contents, without excessive effort. - Do not exceed a daily dose of 30 mg of anthranoids, which corresponds to approximately 2 tablets per day. - For use longer than 1-2 weeks, consult a doctor. If constipation persists while using the preparation, consult a doctor or pharmacist. In Case of Alax Overdose: The main symptoms of overdose or misuse include severe abdominal pain and diarrhea with loss of water and electrolytes, which must be restored (in particular, diarrhea can lead to potassium loss). If you overdose, consult a doctor. Treatment should be symptomatic and require the intake of large amounts of fluid. Missed Dose of Alax: Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Possible Side Effects: - Hypersensitivity reactions may occur. - Taking buckthorn bark may cause abdominal cramps, thinning of intestinal contents, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. However, these symptoms may occur with excessive doses, in which case the dose should be reduced. Chronic use may lead to disturbances in water and electrolyte balance, proteinuria, or hematuria. - During the use of the preparation, the color of urine may change and become yellow or reddish-brown (depending on urine pH); however, this symptom is not clinically significant. If any side effects occur that are not described, consult your doctor or pharmacist. How to Store Alax: - Store the preparation in a place inaccessible and invisible to children. - Store at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. - Do not use the preparation after the expiry date indicated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. - Do not dispose of medicines down the drain or with household waste. Ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of unused medicines. This approach helps protect the environment. Pharmaceutical Product Group: Pharmaceutical product group III, available without a prescription Responsible Person and Manufacturer: Poznanskie Zaklady Zielarskie „Herbapol“ S.A. ul. Towarowa 47/51, 61-896 Poznań, Poland Phone +48 61 886 18 00, Fax +48 61 853 60 58