Please read this before you start to take your medicine. It is essential to follow your doctor's advice. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist).

Keep this leaflet until you have finished all your prescribed course of Co-danthrusate. You may want to read it again.

If you are helping someone else take this medicine, please read this leaflet before you give the first dose.

What is Co-danthrusate? Co-danthrusate is a laxative. The active ingredients in Co-danthrusate are danthron and docusate sodium. Co-danthrusate is also known as Normax.

What does Co-danthrusate do? Co-danthrusate works by encouraging normal bowel movements.

For more information about Co-danthrusate, please read the rest of

this leaflet.

In common with all laxatives, Co-danthrusate should not be used in abdominal pain where the cause is unknown or if there is a blockage of the bowel which is not due to constipation.

Do not take Co-danthrusate without consulting your doctor. You will need to be given another medicine instead.

Follow your doctor's directions about how and when to take your medicine. Please read the dispensing label carefully. Your pharmacist or doctor can help if you are not sure.

Follow your doctor's directions. If you are still constipated after a few days, tell your doctor. Prolonged use of laxatives is not recommended.

Co-danthrusate usually works about 8 hours after a dose is taken. If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it at the next convenient time.

What unwanted side effects might it have? A few people may find that Co-danthrusate gives them a mild griping feeling. If this happens, the symptoms are usually mild. If you suffer badly, tell your doctor. A few people find that they get an orange tint in their urine. This is due to the danthron in Co-danthrusate and is not a cause for concern. Tell your doctor if you develop any unusual problems while taking this medicine. If your doctor decides to stop the treatment, return any left-over medicine to the pharmacist.

As with any medicine, if an overdose (i.e. a very large amount) has been taken, contact your doctor or local hospital casualty department immediately. Drink plenty of water. The risk of unwanted effects is likely to be greater in children.

Keep them in a dry place. Store all medicines out of the reach of children - preferably in a locked cupboard or medicine cabinet.

Remember this medicine has been prescribed just for you. Never offer your medicine to other people - it may not be suitable for them even if their symptoms seem the same as yours.

Co-danthrusate capsules each contains 50mg danthron and 60mg docusate sodium. Non-proprietary name: Co-danthrusate Capsules.

Co-danthrusate capsules also contain inactive ingredients to make the medicine acceptable.

Evans Medical Ltd, Leatherhead, England.

Medevale Pharmaservices Ltd., Vale of Bardsley, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancashire, OL7 9RR.

In this short leaflet, we can only give you the most important patient information about Co-danthrusate. If you would like to know more, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Normax is a trade mark.

Date of last revision: August 1993.