Brand name:

FiberCon

Pronounced: FY-bur-con

Generic name: Calcium polycarbophil

Other brand names: Konsyl Fiber Tablets, Mitrolan

What this drug is used for

These products help restore and maintain regular bowel movements in people who are constipated.

Konsyl Tablets are also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and, with other drugs, to relieve the constipation that sometimes accompanies diverticular disease (a pouch in the wall of the bowel), pregnancy, convalescence, and old age. Konsyl Tablets can also ease bowel movements in people suffering from hemorrhoids.

Mitrolan is used for both constipation and diarrhea, especially when associated with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.

FiberCon is available in caplet form, Konsyl as tablets, and Mitrolan as chewable tablets.

How should you take this medication?

For constipation, the dosage required will vary according to your diet, exercise, previous laxative use, and degree of constipation. You can expect results in 12 to 72 hours.

* FIBERCON
Adults and children over 12
The recommended dosage is 2 caplets once a day. Take no more than 4 doses per day. Swallow with a full glass of liquid.

Children
For children 6 to 12, the recommended dosage is 1 caplet once a day. Give no more than 4 doses per day. For children under 6, consult your doctor.

* KONSYL
Adults and children over 12
The usual dosage is 2 tablets taken 1 to 4 times a day. Take with a full glass of liquid.

Children
For children 6 to 12, the usual dosage is 1 tablet taken 1 to 3 times a day. For children under 6, consult your doctor.

* MITROLAN
Adults and children over 12
The usual dosage is 2 tablets 4 times a day. For severe diarrhea, the dose can be repeated every half hour; but do not exceed 12 tablets each 24 hours. When using the drug as a laxative, take a full glass of liquid with each dose.

Children
For children 6 to 12, the usual dosage is 1 tablet 3 times a day (do not exceed 6 tablets per 24 hours). For children 3 to 6, the usual dosage is 1 tablet twice a day (do not exceed 3 tablets per 24 hours). For children under 3, consult a doctor.

* STORAGE
Store at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

Do not take this medication if...

Avoid these products if you have trouble swallowing. Also avoid them if you have an intestinal blockage or impacted stool. Check with your doctor before taking them if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting, or have noticed a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or more.

Special warnings about this medication

Be sure to take each dose with a full glass of liquid. If you don't take enough liquid, the product could choke you.

If you have chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing or breathing after taking one of these products, see a doctor immediately.

If you don't have a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours, or you notice bleeding from the rectum, stop taking the medication and call your doctor. Do not take either product for more than a week without your doctor's approval.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication

Take these products at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking a tetracycline antibiotic such as Achromycin V or Sumycin.