Polyhydric sugar Alcohol

Laxative

Solutions containing about 3% of sorbitol are used as irrigating fluids in transurethral surgical procedures.

Sorbitol also acts as a bulk sweetening agent.

It is also used as in limited quantities as a sweetener in energy - reduced diabetic food products it also used an alternative to sucrose in many sugar-free oral liquid preparations and in sugar-free foods as it is less likely to cause dental caries.

Sorbitol also has humectant and stabilising properties and is used in various pharmaceutical and cosmetic products including toothpaste.

Sorbitol should not be given to patients with hereditary sorbitol intolerance. It should be given with caution to patients with impaired kidney function or severe liver damage.

It has been given as a 30% solution as an alterna­tive to glucose in parenteral nutrition but its use is not recommended because of the risk of lactic acidosis.

Sorbitol may be given by mouth or rectally as an osmotic laxative in the management of constipa­tion .doses of 20 to 50 g have been suggest­ed.

Large doses of sorbitol given by mouth may cause flatulence, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Lactic acidosis and hyperuricaemia may follow intravenous infusions; fatalities have occurred.

Store in dry place and below 30°C (86°F), Protect from light and keep the medicine in the box.

Box of 20 sachets Sorbitol 5 g