Alax is a herbal laxative drug intended for use in short-term constipation.

Alax in the form of sugar-coated tablets contains dried, powdered aloe leaf juice (Aloe capensis) and dry extract of buckthorn bark (Frangulae corticis extractum siccum). The anthracompounds contained in the preparation show a laxative effect. The mechanism of the laxative effect is explained by the stimulation of peristaltic movements of the large intestine (irritation of the nerve endings) leading to the acceleration of the passage of intestinal contents and the inhibition of reabsorption of water from the intestine. As a result, the intestinal transit is accelerated and the stools relax.

A laxative effect may occur 8 to 12 hours after drug administration because of the time it takes for it to enter the colon and be converted into active metabolites.

Symptoms

Alax is intended for short-term use in occasional constipation in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age.

Active substance: Frangulae cortex

Composition

1 coated tablet contains:
active substances:

• 35 mg of dried and powdered juice of Aloe barbadensis Miller and / or Aloe ferox Miller, folium (aloe leaves) with anthranoid content expressed as aloin 18%
• 42 mg of dry extract of Rhamnus frangula L., cortex (buckthorn bark), DER 5-8: 1, extractant: methanol) with the content of anthranoid compounds expressed as aloin 15%

Core: microcrystalline cellulose with colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, magnesium stearate,
Shell components: sucrose, talc, spray-dried acacia, mixture of white beeswax and carnauba wax, cochineal red (E 124).

1 coated tablet contains 10-15 mg of anthracompounds as aloin.

Dosage

Adolescents over 12 years of age, adults, the elderly: in the evening, take 1-2 Alax tablets with a glass of water.

Usually it is enough to take the preparation no more than 2-3 times a week. The correct single dose is the smallest dose that will produce an effortless bowel movement in the form of soft stools.

Do not exceed the daily dose of 30 mg of anthracompounds, which corresponds approximately to 2 tablets a day.

The use of Alax for a period longer than 1-2 weeks requires consultation with a doctor.

When not to use Alax tablets?

Do not use the preparation in the case of confirmed hypersensitivity (allergy) to the active substances or allergy to any of the ingredients of the product. Contraindications to taking the medicinal product are also:

• cases of intestinal obstruction and intestinal stricture, intestinal atony,
• appendicitis,
• inflammatory diseases of the large intestine (e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis);
• stomach pain of unknown origin;
• severe dehydration with a lack of water and electrolytes.

Do not use in children under 12 years of age.

Contents
Alax is in the form of coated tablets. Available packages: 2 blisters of 10 sugar-coated tablets in a cardboard box.

Storage
Below 25°C

Manufacturer
HERBAPOL POZNAŃ

Warnings

People using heart medications, diuretics, corticosteroids or licorice root preparations should consult a physician before using the buckthorn and alony bark preparation.

Like other laxatives, Alax should not be used by people with stool obstruction or undiagnosed, acute or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, unless the doctor allows the use of drug.

If it is necessary to administer laxatives daily, then it becomes necessary to investigate the cause of the constipation that occurs. Chronic use of laxatives should be avoided. Use for a period longer than 1-2 weeks is not recommended and can only take place on the basis of a doctor’s recommendation.

If nerve-stimulating laxatives are used over a long period of time, the function of the gut may become impaired (atony of the gut) and become dependent on these agents, necessitating an increase in the dose and worsening constipation. Preparations containing buckthorn bark and Cape Alona should be used only when the therapeutic effect cannot be achieved by changing the diet or administering means to increase the volume of the fecal matter.

In the case of administration of buckthorn bark and alony preparations to people who cannot keep stools, it is necessary to change diapers more often in order to avoid chafing around the anus.

In patients with impaired renal function, the use of preparations made of buckthorn bark and alony may cause electrolyte disturbances.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding
Alax should not be used by pregnant women.

Due to the lack of safety data, the drug should not be used during breastfeeding. Some metabolites may pass into breast milk. If you think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Side effects

Hypersensitivity reactions may occur.

Buckthorn bark may cause cramping abdominal pain, and liquid stools may appear, especially in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. However, these symptoms can also occur due to the intake of excessively high doses, and in such situations it is necessary to reduce the administered dose. Chronic use may lead to fluid and electrolyte disturbances as well as proteinuria and haematuria.

Yellow or red-brown urine (depending on urine pH) may appear during the use of the preparation, but this symptom is not clinically significant.