Precautions While Using This Medicine

Do not use any type of laxative :

• if you have signs of appendicitis or inflamed bowel (such as stomach or lower abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, soreness, nausea, or vomiting). Instead, check with your doctor as soon as possible.
• more often than your doctor prescribed. This is true even when you have had no results from the laxative .
• if you do not need it , as for the common cold, ``to clean out your system,'" or as a ``tonic to make you feel better.''
• if you miss a bowel movement for a day or two .

If you notice a sudden change in bowel habits or function that lasts longer than 2 weeks , or keeps returning off and on, check with your doctor before using a laxative. This will allow the cause of your problem to be determined before it becomes more serious.

The ``laxative habit''—Laxative products are overused by many people. Such a practice often leads to dependence on the laxative action to produce a bowel movement. In severe cases, overuse of some laxatives has caused damage to the nerves, muscles, and tissues of the intestines and bowel. If you have any questions about the use of laxatives, check with your health care professional.

For patients using the enema or rectal solution form of this medicine:

• Check with your doctor if you notice rectal bleeding, blistering, pain, burning, itching, or other sign of irritation not present before you started using this medicine .

For patients using the suppository form of this medicine:

• Do not lubricate the suppository with mineral oil or petroleum jelly before inserting into the rectum. To do so may affect the way the suppository works. Moisten only with water.