sorbitol (Rx)

Brand and Other Names:

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

irrigation solution

  • 3g/100mL (3%)

oral solution

  • 70%

Constipation

Oral: 30-150 mL (70% solution) once

Rectal enema: 120 mL of 25-30% solution once

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Adjunct

15 mL of 70% solution or 10-20 mL/2 hours PO until diarrhea occurs

Transurethral Surgical Procedures

3-3.3% as surgical procedure irrigation

Dosage Forms & Strengths

irrigation solution

  • 3g/100mL (3%)

oral solution

  • 70%

Constipation

< 2 years

  • Safety & efficacy not established

2-11 years

  • Oral: 2 mL/kg (as 70% solution) once
  • Rectal enema: 30-60 mL as 25-30% solution

≥12 years

  • Oral: 30-150 mL (70% solution) once
  • Rectal enema: 120 mL of 25-30% solution once

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Adjunct

<12 years: Safety & efficacy not established

≥12 years: 15 mL of 70% solution or 10-20 mL/2 hours PO until diarrhea occurs

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and sorbitol

No Results

     activity indicator 
    No Interactions Found
    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

            All Interactions Sort By:
             activity indicator 

            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (2)

              • lamivudine

                sorbitol will decrease the level or effect of lamivudine by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Sorbitol-containing solution decreased systemic exposure of lamivudine oral solution in a pediatric study (ARROW trial). Results showed lower rates of virologic suppression, lower plasma lamivudine exposure, and development of viral resistance more frequently than children receiving lamivudine tablets.

              • sodium polystyrene sulfonate

                sodium polystyrene sulfonate, sorbitol. Mechanism: unknown. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Combination implicated in cases of colonic necrosis.

              Monitor Closely (2)

              • deflazacort

                sorbitol and deflazacort both decrease serum potassium. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • dichlorphenamide

                dichlorphenamide, sorbitol. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Both drugs can cause metabolic acidosis.

              Minor (0)

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                Adverse Effects

                Frequency Not Defined

                Excessive bowel activity

                Diarrhea

                Edema

                Dehydration

                Fluid and electrolyte losses

                Hyperglycemia

                Lactic acidosis

                Dry mouth

                Xerostomia

                Vomiting

                Abdominal discomfort

                Nausea

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                Warnings

                Contraindications

                Anuria (for irrigation), acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms of appendicitis or undiagnosed abdominal pain

                Cautions

                Exercise caution in patients with severe cardiopulmonary or renal impairment

                Large volumes may result in fluid overload and/or electrolyte changes

                Ask healthcare professional if taking mineral oil, have noticed a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts over 2 weeks

                Stop use and ask healthcare professional if experiencing rectal bleeding or no bowel movement after using this product; could be signs of a serious condition

                In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away

                Use caution in patients unable to metabolize sorbitol

                May cause hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes

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                Pregnancy & Lactation

                Pregnancy

                Ask healthcare professional

                Lactation

                Ask healthcare professional; exercise caution

                Pregnancy Categories

                A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                NA: Information not available.

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                Pharmacology

                Mechanism of Action

                Polyalcoholic sugar with hyperosmotic effects that induces catharsis

                Pharmacokinetics

                Onset: 0.25-1 hr

                Absorption: Poor (oral and rectal)

                Metabolism: Mainly in the liver to fructose

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                Images

                No images available for this drug.
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                Patient Handout

                A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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                Formulary

                FormularyPatient Discounts

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                The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information.

                Tier Description
                1 This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs.
                2 This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs.
                3 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs.
                4 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                5 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                6 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                NC NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan.
                Code Definition
                PA Prior Authorization
                Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription.
                QL Quantity Limits
                Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered.
                ST Step Therapy
                Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription.
                OR Other Restrictions
                Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription.
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                Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.