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PHARMACY ASSISTANT TRAINING MANUAL
“WHAT’S THE
GENTLE CHOICE
FOR ME AND
MY BABY?”
How you can offer straight advice
on constipation and pregnancy.
1
WHAT IS
CONSTIPATION?
TECHNICALLY, CONSTIPATION IS DESCRIBED AS
A CONDITION IN WHICH THERE IS DIFFICULTY IN
EMPTYING THE BOWELS.
It is usually associated with hardened faeces, a high
level of constraint or restriction. People will often
describe it as feeling like they are ‘stuck’, or they
are not ‘regular’.
THE BRISTOL STOOL SCALE*
You can also use The Bristol stool scale as a way
of helping customers assess levels of constipation.
If the stool most closely resembles Type 1 or 2 on
the chart below, then they may be constipated and
could benefit from a pharmaceutical solution.
TYPE 1
TYPE 2
TYPE 3
TYPE 4
Looks like separate
hard lumps, like
nuts (hard to pass)
Looks like
sausage-shaped
but lumpy
Looks like
sausage but with
cracks on its
surface
Looks like a
sausage or snake,
smooth and soft
* Used with permission from Professor Ken Heaton from “Understanding Your Bowels Professor Ken Heaton Family
Doctor Books.
* Adapted from Bristol Stool Scale, Heaton and Lewis, Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1997. Our adaptation only
includes Type 1-4 of the complete Bristol stool chart.
2
COMMON CAUSES
OF CONSTIPATION
CONSTIPATION CAN BE BROUGHT ON BY A RANGE
OF FACTORS, AND MOST ARE REASONABLY OBVIOUS.
POOR DIET
Characterised by too many processed
foods and not enough fibre.
DEHYDRATION
Water, soup, juices, herbal teas and
other non-alcoholic drinks can help
remedy this situation.
INACTIVITY
When bodies are sedentary, the risk
of constipation increases. Staying active
and in a regular exercise routine can help.
MEDICATIONS
Check with your doctor to see if any of your
prescribed medications may be causing
constipation as a side effect.
STRESS AND
CHANGES TO ROUTINE
Life changes, travel, increased
pressure at work or at home can
also cause constipation.
If the above strategies do not work,
patients should consult their doctor for
advice. In particular, pregnant women,
children and the elderly.
3
WHO CAN USE DUPHALAC ?
®
PREGNANT
WOMEN
CHILDREN &
TODDLERS
ADULTS
ELDERLY
4
Constipation could be caused by a
number of reasons, one of the main
reasons is the change in hormones
levels which occurs in the body. There
is now more progesterone, which
relaxes smooth muscles in the body
and slows down the movement of food
passing through the digestive tract. The problem may also be
compounded later in pregnancy by
the pressure of a growing uterus on
the rectum-causing haemorrhoids.
For babies and toddlers, changes in
diet and the transition to solid foods
is a common cause of constipation.
Another common problem is for
children to deliberately withhold or
ignore the urge to go to the toilet.
While for children starting school,
a change of exercise and eating
routines can be a factor.
Some adults find their busy lifestyle
results in unhealthy eating habits and
inadequate intake of fluids. A break
in their routine, such as travelling,
or lack of exercise might also cause
constipation.
Certain chronic medical conditions
can contribute to constipation.
Similarly, medicines like strong pain
relievers or anti-depressants, can also
cause constipation. Ask the customer
if any of these factors might be a
contributor.
Certain medications and medical
conditions (see adults section)
have been known to increase the
risk of constipation.
Lack of mobility is a common
contributing factor in elderly patients.
CONSTIPATION
IS QUITE COMMON
IN PREGNANCY
40%
In fact,
UP
TO
OF PREGNANT WOMEN
REPORT SOME FORM OF
CONSTIPATION*
Gartland D et al. Women’s health in early pregnancy: Findings from an Australian nulliparous cohort study.
ANZJOG 2010;50:413-418.
5
WHY IS DUPHALAC
A GOOD CHOICE?
Duphalac® has
been shown to
be both effective
and gentle for
pregnant women.
GENTLE
6
Duphalac® is
suitable for
the whole family,
including adults,
children and
the elderly.
®
Lactulose is a
sugar, which
stays mainly in
your gut. In the
large intestine it
may promote the
growth of healthy
gut bacteria to
encourage healthy
bowel motions.
EFFECTIVE
HOW DOES DUPHALAC® WORK?
1.
Lactulose
brings water to
the hard, dry stool.
2.
The water
helps bulk and
soften the stool.
3.
As the stool
softens, it expands
and naturally passes
out of the bowel.
WHAT IS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT?
The active ingredient in Duphalac® is Lactulose, a sugar
used to treat constipation, which works gently with your
body. Duphalac®’s gentle action means that it may take
1-2 days before it works fully.
Duphalac® can also be used by pregnant women
who suffer from haemorrhoids where a soft stool is
considered of medical benefit.
7
Duphalac® is indicated for the treatment of chronic and habitual constipation and where a soft stool is considered
of medical benefit (e.g. Haemorrhoids).
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. USE ONLY AS DIRECTED.
IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST SEE YOUR DOCTOR/HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. ASMI 24520-0215.
This information leaflet is designed to provide helpful hints regarding constipation and Duphalac®. For further
information regarding Duphalac®, please refer to the Duphalac® Consumer Medicine Information which is available
from your doctor or pharmacist.
8
Duphalac® is a registered trademark of BGP Products Pty Ltd,
299 Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113.
Free call: 1800 225 311
Date prepared December 2014: AU-DUP-2014-11