Prepopik

Prepopik is a prescription-only laxative that is used to clear your colon before you go for a colon examination (colonoscopy).

A clean colon helps your doctor have a distinct view of the interior of the colon during the examination. It is available as:

• Powder for Solution

Before using Prepopik, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Together with your doctor, you can decide whether the medication will provide you more goods than the harms.

Here are some factors to be considered before deciding to use this medicine:

• Allergies: Inform your doctor about the allergies you have, such as to this medication, other medications, or to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• Pediatric: It’s not clear if using this medicine in children is safe and effective. Consult your doctor to know about the benefits and potential risks of using this medicine in children.
• Geriatric: It may be used in elderly after assessing the risks and benefits.
• Pregnancy: This medicine falls under category B for all trimesters meaning that it is generally safe for use in pregnancy.
• Drug Interactions: Taking two medicines together can be harmful due to possible interactions. In other cases, even if there is a possible interaction between two medicines your doctor may advise you to take them together after adjusting the dose or issuing precautions.

Though usually not recommended, your doctor may decide, after adjusting dose or frequency of one or both medicines, to use this medicine with any of the following medicines:

        o Dabrafenib
        o Eltrombopag
        o Elvitegravir
        o Gefitinib
        o Ketoconazole
        o Ledipasvir
        o Levomethadyl
        o Licorice
        o Mycophenolate Mofetil
        o Mycophenolic Acid
        o Pazopanib
        o Phenytoin
        o Raltegravir
        o Rilpivirine
        o Vismodegib

Rarely and only when absolutely needed, this medicine may be used with the following medicines even if using them together may put you at risk of certain side effects. In such cases, you may have to take the adjusted dose or change the frequency of intake.

        o Amprenavir
        o Atevirdine
        o Cefditoren
        o Pivoxil
        o Chloroquine
        o Chlortetracycline
        o Ciprofloxacin
        o Dasatinib
        o Delavirdine
        o Demeclocycline
        o Dicumarol
        o Digoxin
        o Dolutegravir
        o Doxycycline
        o Enoxacin
        o Erlotinib
        o Felodipine
        o Fexofenadine
        o Gabapentin
        o Grepafloxacin
        o Isradipine
        o Levothyroxine
        o Nicardipine
        o Quinidine
        o Rolitetracycline
        o Sparfloxacin
        o Tacrolimus
        o Tetracycline
        o Ticlopidine
        o Tipranavir
        o Zalcitabine

• Other Interactions: Taking your medicine together with certain foods or items such as alcohol or tobacco may cause undesirable interactions. Talk to your doctor to know if using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco is safe.
• Medical Problems: Certain medical conditions might influence the effects (both positive and adverse) and action of this medicine. DO NOT forget to inform your doctor about the following conditions:

        o Angina
        o Electrolyte imbalance
        o A recent heart attack
        o Heart disease
        o History of cardiac arrhythmias
        o Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol or benzodiazepine addiction
        o Congestive heart failure
        o Dehydration
        o Inflammatory bowel disease (use cautiously)
        o Kidney problems
        o History of convulsions
        o Swallowing difficulties
        o Intestinal obstruction
        o Toxic megacolon, excessive dilatation of colon (Do not use this medicine)

To use Prepopik properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Here are some points to watch for:

• Strictly follow your doctor and don’t:

        o Take more, for longer or more frequently than recommended.

• Read the patient information leaflet carefully and follow accordingly. For any query, consult your doctor.

There are two dosing regimens for this medicine, Split-Dose dosing regimen, and Day-Before dosing regimen.

How to use?

• Of the two sachets of powder in one dose of the medicine, both are used only after mixing with water but at different times.
• Once you prepare the solution using the cup that comes with the medicine, drink it immediately and do not store for future use.
• Make sure you stay hydrated by taking extra clear fluids such as water, apple juice, or white cranberry juice after every dose.
• Avoid solid foods or milk while you are on this medicine.
• Take only clear liquids up to the time of colonoscopy.
• No other laxatives should be taken while you are on this medicine.
• Do not take any oral medicine within 1 hour prior to taking this medicine. This medicine can interfere with absorption of certain other medicines such as chlorpromazine, digoxin, penicillamine, iron supplements, and certain antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline. Start these medicines at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take this laxative.

Dosing:

For best results, follow your doctor to know what amount of medicine you should take in a single dose. The doses of a medicine can differ according to the conditions for which it is being prescribed. Remember your doses can differ. Consult your doctor if you have anything to ask. The doses for colon cleansing are:

Powder for solution

• Adults: Take your dose the day or night before your colonoscopy.
• Split-dose dosing regimen: If you are having your colonoscopy tomorrow, take first dose tonight and next dose tomorrow morning or at least 5 hours ahead of your colonoscopy.
• Day-Before dosing regimen: First dose in the afternoon or early evening followed by a second dose at least 6 hours after the first dose.
• Children: Your doctor will decide the use and dose.

Missed Dose:

Take your missed dose once you remember but avoid it if it’s time to take your next dose, and follow your normal dosing schedule. Avoid taking double doses to make up for the missed dose.

Storage:

• Store in a closed container at room temperature.
• Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Do not freeze.
• Keep away from children.
• Discard any unused or expired medicines.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Prepopik to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Blood in stool
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Decreased urine volume of frequency
• Dizziness or fainting
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Fever
• Hives
• Itchy skin
• Stiffened or swollen muscle
• Skin shortness of breath
• Swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, ankles, hands
• Heavy chest
• Breathing or swallowing problems
• Extreme tiredness

The side effects of the medicine are not limited to the ones listed above. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects that are uncommon or worry you. To report side effects to the FDA, contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.