Bulk-forming laxative
Sterculia
Brand names: Normacol
Adult dose
Dose: 7g (1 sachet or 2 heaped 5mL spoons) PO OD-BD with plenty of water
Route: PO
Frequency: OD-BD
Clinical pearls
- Chronic constipation, IBS, diverticular disease
- Drink plenty of fluid; avoid in obstruction
Contraindications
- Bowel obstruction
- Faecal impaction
- Inadequate fluid intake
Side effects
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Faecal impaction (if dehydrated)
- Hypersensitivity
Interactions
- Other oral drugs — separate by ≥1h
Reference: BNF; NICE CG99; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sterculia/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Lower Gastrointestinal Bleed · BSG 2019; NICE NG141
- Variceal Upper GI Bleed · BSG 2015; Baveno VII (2022)
- Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) · BSG / EASL 2018
- Hepatorenal Syndrome · EASL 2018; ICA 2015
- Hepatic Encephalopathy · EASL 2014; West Haven criteria
- Clostridioides difficile Colitis · NICE NG199 (2021); IDSA/SHEA 2021