Bulk-forming + stimulant laxative
Sterculia with frangula
Brand names: Normacol Plus
Adult dose
Dose: 7g sachet PO OD-BD with water
Route: PO
Frequency: OD-BD
Clinical pearls
- Chronic constipation when bulk alone insufficient
- Drink plenty of fluid
Contraindications
- Bowel obstruction
- Faecal impaction
- Inflammatory bowel disease (acute)
Side effects
- Abdominal cramps
- Flatulence
- Diarrhoea (if excessive)
Interactions
- Other oral drugs — separate
Reference: BNF; NICE CG99; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sterculia-with-frangula/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
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