Table 3 Pharmacological treatment in children with functional constipation

Osmotic Laxatives

PEG 3350/4000 WHITE

All age groups:

Maintenance: 0.2–0.8 g/kg/day in 1–2 doses

Fecal disimpaction: 1–1.5 g/kg/day (maximum 6 days)

Lactulose

All age groups: 1–2 g/kg/day, in 1–2 doses

Lactitol WHITE

1–6 years: 0.5–1 g/kg/day in 2–3 doses

6–12 years: 10–30 g/day in 2–3 doses

12–18 years: 20–60 g/day in 2–3 doses

Magnesium hydroxide

2–5 years: 0.4–1.2 g/day, in 1 or more doses

6–11 years: 1.2–2.4 g/day, in 1 or more doses

12–18 years: 2.4–4.8 g/day, in 1 or more doses

Stimulant Laxatives WHITE

Bisacodyl

3–10 years: 5 mg/day, in 1 dose/day (at night)

10–11 years: 5–10 mg/day, in 1 dose/day (at night)

12–18 years: 5–15 mg/day, in 1 dose/day (at night)

Senna WHITE

2–6 years: 2.5–5 mg, 1 or 2 doses/day

6–11 years: 7.5–10 mg, 1 dose/day

12–18 years: 15–20 mg, 1 dose/day

Sodium picosulfate

1 month to 4 years: 2.5–10 mg/day, in 1 dose/day

4–18 years: 2.5–20 mg/day, in 1 dose/day

Rectal Laxatives DARK BLUE

Dosages

Bisacodyl

2–10 years: 5 mg/day, in 1 dose/day (at night)

> 10 years: 5–10 mg/day, in 1 dose/day (at night)

Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate WHITE

1 month to 1 year: 2.5 mL/dose (= 0.5 enema)

1–18 years: 5 mL/dose (= 1 enema)

Sodium docusate

< 6 years: 60 mL

> 6 years: 120 mL

Sodium phosphate

1–18 y: 2.5 mL/kg, max 133 mL/dose

Oral and rectal laxatives DARK BLUE

Dosages

Mineral oil/liquid paraffin WHITE

2–11 years: 30–60 mL, in 1 dose/day

> 11 years: 60–150 mL, in 1 dose/day

3–18 years: 1–3 mL/kg/day, 1 or more doses/day (maximum 90 mL/day)