CitraFleet – composition, dosage, action, indications, side effects

Proven content

CitraFleet is a drug that is taken to cleanse the intestines and colon before, for example, a colonoscopy. Read how CitraFleet works and how it should be used.

CitraFleet — what kind of drug is it?

CitraFleet is taken as part of a bowel and colon cleanse before examinations that require a clean bowel, such as a colonoscopy (a bowel imaging procedure using a long, flexible instrument that your doctor places through your rectum) or radiographs.

CitraFleet is a powder with a lemon flavor and flavor. This powder contains two laxatives mixed in each sachet. When dissolved in water and drunk, these agents will cleanse the intestines. It is important that the intestines of the person taking the medicine are empty and clean so that the doctor has a clear picture during the examination. CitraFleet is indicated in adults 18 years of age and over (including the elderly).

See: 6 reasons to overcome your fear of colonoscopy

CitraFleet – composition

One sachet of CitraFleet (15,08 g) contains the following active substances:

1. sodium picosulfate 0,01 g
2. magnesium oxide, light 3,50 g K.
3. citric acid, 10,97 g.

Excipient with known effect: Each CitraFleet sachet contains 5 mmol (or 195 mg) of potassium and sodium (potassium bicarbonate, sodium saccharin, lemon flavor (lemon flavor, maltodextrin, E307 tocopherol).

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CitraFleet – in action

The active substances in CitraFleet are sodium picosulfate, a laxative that acts locally in the colon, and magnesium citrate, which works by causing osmotic diarrhea by retaining water in the colon.

This action has a strong ‘flushing effect’ combined with stimulation of peristaltic movements to cleanse the intestines prior to radiography, colonoscopy or surgery. CitraFleet should not be used as a daily laxative.

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CitraFleet – dosage and method of administration

CitraFleet should only be taken by people over 18 years of age. CitraFleet can be taken in the following ways:

1. usually the content of one sachet is taken in the evening on the day preceding the examination / treatment, and the content of the second sachet in the morning on the day of the examination / treatment.
2. you can take the contents of one sachet in the afternoon and the other in the evening on the day before the examination / procedure. This schedule is more appropriate if the examination / treatment is to take place in the morning,
3. you can also take both sachets on the morning of the examination / treatment. This regimen is only suitable if an examination / treatment is scheduled for an afternoon or evening.

The contents of the sachet should be dissolved in a cup of water. Do not drink liquids immediately after taking the drug, so as not to dilute the product additionally. After consuming each sachet, wait about 10 minutes, and then drink about 1,5-2 liters of clear liquids in the amount of about 250 ml (a glass) to 400 ml every hour.

To prevent dehydration, consumption of clear soups and / or balanced electrolyte drinks is recommended. Consuming plain water is not recommended.

After taking the second sachet of the drug and drinking about 1,5-2 liters of fluid, do not eat or drink for at least 2 hours before the procedure or follow the doctor’s instructions.

Also read: Seven unusual signs of dehydration. Do not underestimate!

CitraFleet – contraindications

The following is a list of when you should not take CitraFleet »

1. if you are allergic to sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, citric acid or any of the other ingredients of this medicine,
2. if you have congestive heart failure (the heart is unable to pump blood around the body),
3. if you have delayed gastric emptying (your stomach is not emptying properly),
4. if you have stomach or duodenal ulcers,
5. if you have a bowel obstruction or defecation disorders,
6. if there is damage to the gut wall (also called toxic colitis)
7. if you have distension of the large intestine (also called colon palsy)
8. if you have recently had nausea or vomiting,
9. if you have severe thirst or may be severely dehydrated
10. if you have swelling in the abdomen due to fluid build-up (called ascites)
11. if you have had recent abdominal surgery, e.g. for appendicitis,
12. if there may be a perforation / damage or obstruction of the intestine,
13. if you are likely to have inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
14. if muscle tissue is damaged and breakdown products enter the bloodstream (rhabdomyolysis),
15. if you have severe kidney problems or your doctor has diagnosed too much magnesium in your blood (hypermagnesaemia).

See: How to feed patients with Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases

CitraFleet – precautions

CitraFleet should not be used as a daily laxative. In vulnerable or debilitated people, use of CitraFleet may rarely cause severe and potentially fatal electrolyte imbalance or renal impairment.

Therefore, in this risk group, the benefit / risk ratio of CitraFleet should be carefully assessed before starting treatment.

Particular care should be taken when prescribing CitraFleet to persons with known contraindications, paying particular attention to adequate hydration and, in the case of a high-risk population, the importance of determining baseline electrolyte levels and electrolyte values ​​after the end of dosing.

The elderly and debilitated people, and those at risk of hypokalaemia or hyponatraemia may require special attention. CitraFleet should be used with caution in people with known water and / or electrolyte disturbances.or taking medicinal products that may affect water and / or electrolyte balance, e.g. diuretics, corticosteroids, lithium

Caution should also be exercised in those who have recently undergone gastrointestinal surgery, those with renal impairment, mild to moderate dehydration, hypotension, or heart disease.

Intestinal cleansing time should not exceed 24 hours, as a longer preparation period may increase the risk of water and electrolyte imbalances. Diarrhea due to the laxative effects of CitraFleet may result in loss of fluid and electrolytes, hypovolaemia and hypotension. Furthermore, the vasovagal reflex can be triggered by stimuli from the abdominal cavity, e.g. pain, which can lead to low blood pressure and unconsciousness. Adequate intake of clear fluids is required.

CitraFleet may affect the absorption of regularly taken oral medicinal products and should be used with caution. For example, there have been isolated reports of seizures in people with controlled epilepsy taking antiepileptic medicinal products.

If you may be, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

See: “Toxic Lady”. The medics in the emergency room lost consciousness and suffered from convulsions

CitraFleet – drug interactions

Before using CitraFleet, inform your doctor about all medications you are taking. In addition, special care should be taken when prescribing CitraFleet if you are taking:

1. oral contraceptives as their effect may be reduced
2. Medicines used to treat diabetes or to treat epilepsy (seizures), as their effects may be reduced
3. antibiotics as their effect may be reduced
4. other laxatives, including bran
5. diuretics such as furosemide (water tablets)
6. corticosteroids such as prednisone for conditions such as arthritis, asthma, hay fever, dermatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease
7. digoxin, used to treat heart failure
8. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen, used to treat pain and inflammation
9. tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine and amitriptyline and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and citalopram used to treat depression and anxiety
10. antipsychotics such as haloperidol, clozapine, and risperidone used to treat schizophrenia
11. lithium used to treat manic depressive psychosis (bipolar disorder)
12. carbamazepine used to treat epilepsy
13. penicillamine, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.

CitraFleet – side effects

Like all medicines, CitraFleet can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The known side effects of taking CitraFleet are described below in order of frequency:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

1. abdominal pain.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

1. abdominal bloating, feeling thirsty, anal discomfort and pain in the anus, fatigue (tiredness), sleep disturbance, headache, dry mouth, nausea.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

1. dizziness, vomiting, inability to control bowel movements (faecal incontinence).

Other side effects for which the frequency is not known (cannot be estimated from the available data):

1. anaphylactic reaction or hypersensitivity, which are severe symptoms of an allergic reaction.

If you have breathing problems, redness, or any symptoms suggesting a severe allergic reaction, go to the hospital immediately.