General Questions About Constipation

What is constipation?
What causes constipation?
Is it normal?
How do I know it is constipation and not something else?
How is constipation treated?
How do I prevent constipation?
Should I panic?
When should I begin to worry?
What is soiling?

Pedia-Lax Questions

How does Pedia-Lax work?
After I give my child Pedia-Lax, how long before they'll go?
Can I use Pedia-Lax for my child under 2 years of age?
Can I use Pedia-Lax for my child over the age of 11?
Can pregnant women take Pedia-Lax?
Can my child take Pedia-Lax when taking other medications?
Which Pedia-Lax product should I use?
What's the difference between the rectal and oral products?
What is the expiration date for these products?
How should Pedia-Lax be stored?
The dosing directions for Pedia-Lax are by age range. How do I know what part of the range I should use for my child?
Is it okay for my child to take Pedia-Lax every day?
Are your products gluten-free?

Product Specific Questions

Quick Dissolve Strips
Liquid Stool Softener
Suppositories and Enemas

General Questions About Constipation

What is constipation?

A division of the National Institute of Health defines constipation as having a bowel movement fewer than three times a week. Stools are usually hard, dry, small in size and difficult to eliminate. Children with constipation usually either have very large hard stools or hard pellet like stools. Bowel movements are infrequent and often painful.

The American Academy of Pediatrics outlines normal frequency of bowel movements for children. See table below.

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What causes constipation?

Lots of things can cause constipation. Common causes include: not getting enough fiber, fluids or insufficient exercise. In addition, with children, constipation is often caused by "holding it in" too long because they don't want to stop playing to go to the bathroom. However, constipation can also result from a more serious medical condition. The first time your child experiences constipation, talk to your pediatrician for a complete diagnosis.

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Is it normal?

Yes, completely. Constipation is a common problem for kids. Unfortunate, but true.

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How do I know it is constipation and not something else?

While it's perfectly normal for your child to experience occasional constipation, it's not normal for it to be prolonged or ongoing. If constipation lasts for more than 7 days after treatment, you need to see a doctor to rule out a more serious medical condition or set up a treatment approach for a chronic constipation condition.

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How is constipation treated?

Parents can often successfully treat constipation with diet changes and over-the-counter medicine. They should, however, seek the counsel of a health care professional for children aged 2 and under and/or the first time their child suffers from constipation.

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How do I prevent constipation?

There are several things you can do to help prevent constipation. Make sure your child eats a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. They also need to drink lots of fluids and get plenty of exercise. Most importantly, encourage them to use the bathroom when they need to. Let them play a little longer outside or give them a reward when they stop for a bathroom break. If potty-training, make sure you have scheduled "potty time."

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Should I panic?

Not at all. Again, constipation is completely normal.

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When should I begin to worry?

If constipation lasts for more than 7 days after treatment, the child has persistent bouts with constipation or is in acute pain they should see their pediatrician immediately.

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What is soiling?

Soiling is what happens when liquid feces leak out around hard, compacted stool. It can happen once or several times a day and is often confused with diarrhea. There is nothing a child can do to withhold it and parents don't often make the connection between what they think is diarrhea and constipation, making the right diagnosis difficult.

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Pedia-Lax Questions

How does Pedia-Lax work?

The active ingredients in Pedia-Lax products work in several different ways to help relieve your child's constipation.

Pedia-Lax Quick Dissolve Strips use Senna, a naturally-derived vegetable stimulant that acts directly on the intestine to promote bowel movement.

The active ingredient in Pedia-Lax Chewable Tablets, Magnesium Hydroxide, increases the amount of water in the intestine which promotes bowel movement.

The active ingredient in Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener, Docusate Sodium, works directly on the stool to help soften it.

The active ingredient in Pedia-Lax Glycerin suppositories and Liquid Glycerin suppositories, Glycerin, attracts water into the stool and promotes bowel movement.

The active ingredients in Pedia-Lax Enema, sodium phosphates, increase the amount of water in the intestine, which promotes bowel movement.

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After I give my child Pedia-Lax, how long before they'll go?

Results will vary with each child and depend on which Pedia-Lax product you use, anywhere from a few minutes to 72 hours.

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Can I use Pedia-Lax for my child under 2 years of age?

If your child is under age 2, consult your pediatrician.

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Can I use Pedia-Lax for my child over the age of 11?

Pedia-Lax is indicated for children 2-11. Pedia-Lax would not be unsafe for children over 11, but we recommend using an adult product by Fleet in order to ensure that the product will be effective for older children.

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Can pregnant women take Pedia-Lax?

Pedia-Lax is designed for children ages 2-11. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking any medications.

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Can my child take Pedia-Lax when taking other medications?

As with any medication, consult your pediatrician if your child is already taking other medications.

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Which Pedia-Lax product should I use?

There are 6 different Pedia-Lax products from which to choose. Quick Dissolve Strips, Chewable Tablets, Liquid Stool Softener, Liquid Glycerin Suppositories, Glycerin Suppositories and Pedia-Lax Enema. The Pedia-Lax product you choose will be determined by both the severity of the problem and the best delivery system for your child.

If the problem is moderate we first suggest trying an oral product: quick-dissolve strips, chewable tablets or liquid stool softener. If your child's constipation is more severe and you want the quickest relief possible we suggest suppositories or enemas.

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What's the difference between the rectal and oral products?

Oral products are easy to administer and work over a short period of time. Rectal products provide immediate relief. Please see our product information page for details on each product's reaction time.

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What is the expiration date for these products?

The expiration date is printed on the outside of the carton.

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How should Pedia-Lax be stored?

Pedia-Lax should be stored at a controlled temperature between 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit.

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The dosing directions for Pedia-Lax are by age range. How do I know what part of the range I should use for my child?

A dosing range by age provides greater flexibility for finding the right dose. As with any medicine, if you have questions or concerns ask your pediatrician.

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Is it okay for my child to take Pedia-Lax every day?

Pedia-Lax should not be taken for more than 7 days in a row. If your child experiences constipation for more than 7 consecutive days consult your pediatrician.

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Are your products gluten-free?

Yes.

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Quick Dissolve Strips

My strip is brown, is this normal?

Yes, the active ingredient in the Pedia-Lax Quick-Dissolve Strip is senna, which is a natural ingredient that is brown in color.

What if the Quick-Dissolve Strip was torn during opening? Can I still administer it?

If your Pedia-Lax Quick-Dissolve Strip is torn in two, just administer both pieces of the strip.

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Liquid Stool Softener

Why do I need to add juice or milk?

The active ingredient in the Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener is docusate sodium. This can taste strong by itself and juice or milk helps to mask the medicine's taste.

What is the best liquid to use?

We've tested the Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener with apple juice, orange juice, grape juice, fruit punch, and milk. All work well when combined with the Liquid Stool Softener. We do not recommend mixing this product with water.

I accidentally gave this to my child without mixing it with juice or milk. Is it okay?

Yes, there is no danger in giving this product straight from the bottle. The medicine, however, will taste stronger and your child may not like it as much as they would with milk or juice. We suggest drinking extra fluids, if the Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener was taken without juice or milk. This will help to soothe any minor throat irritation that could occur.

Is it okay to give my child the Liquid Stool Softener along with any of your other Pedia-Lax products?

We only recommend combining the Liquid Stool Softener with the Quick Dissolve Strips. This way you could treat your child's constipation overnight with the Quick Dissolve Strips and use the Liquid Stool Softener to help ease the discomfort of hard stools, which can lead to constipation. Remember, when using these products, be sure to follow the dosing instructions on the packaging.

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Suppositories and Enemas

What's the difference between the three rectal products?

Pedia-Lax Enema is a saline laxative. Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Suppositories are a glycerin laxative administered in a liquid form applied with a disposable, no-mess applicator. Pedia-Lax Glycerin Suppositories are small suppositories. They all relieve occasional constipation.

Is your Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Suppository latex-free?

Yes.

Can the Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Applicator be used more than once?

No, they are designed to be used only once. Each applicator contains medication for one dose.

What is the source of your glycerin, animal or vegetable?

Vegetable.

Are Pedia-Lax Glycerin Suppositories available in "infant" size?

No. Pedia-Lax suppositories are designed for use in children ages 2-5 years. Talk to your pediatrician about use in children below age 2.

My child doesn't do well with suppositories. Every time I get one in he pushes it out. What can I do?

Try using Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Suppositories. They have the same active ingredient in liquid form and can't be "pushed out" like a regular suppository because they are liquid.

My child is older than five. Can I still use Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin or Glycerin Suppositories?

Children over the age of five can use Fleet Adult Liquid Glycerin or Glycerin Suppositories.

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