Yes

Genitourinary Irrigant; Laxative, Miscellaneous

Genitourinary irrigant in transurethral prostatic resection or other transurethral resection or other transurethral surgical procedures; diuretic; humectant; sweetening agent; hyperosmotic laxative; facilitate the passage of sodium polystyrene sulfonate through the intestinal tract

Anuria

Use with caution in patients with severe cardiopulmonary or renal impairment and in patients unable to metabolize sorbitol

1% to 10%:

Endocrine & metabolic: Fluid and electrolyte losses, lactic acidosis

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, xerostomia

Symptoms of overdose include nausea, diarrhea, fluid and electrolyte loss

Treatment is supportive to ensure fluid and electrolyte balance

Protect from freezing; avoid storage in temperatures >150°F

A polyalcoholic sugar with osmotic cathartic actions

Onset of action: About 0.25-1 hour

Absorption: Oral, rectal: Poor

Metabolism: Mainly in the liver to fructose

Hyperosmotic laxative (as single dose, at infrequent intervals):

Oral: 2 mL/kg (as 70% solution)

Rectal enema: 30-60 mL as 25% to 30% solution

Children >12 years and Adults:

Oral: 30-150 mL (as 70% solution)

Rectal enema: 120 mL as 25% to 30% solution

Adjunct to sodium polystyrene sulfonate: 15 mL as 70% solution orally until diarrhea occurs (10-20 mL/2 hours) or 20-100 mL as an oral vehicle for the sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin

When administered with charcoal:

Oral:

Children: 4.3 mL/kg of 35% sorbitol with 1 g/kg of activated charcoal

Adults: 4.3 mL/kg of 70% sorbitol with 1 g/kg of activated charcoal every 4 hours until first stool containing charcoal is passed

Topical: 3% to 3.3% as transurethral surgical procedure irrigation

None reported

None reported

No information available to require special precautions

No effects or complications reported

Cathartic: Use of cathartics on a regular basis will have adverse effects. Increased exercise, increased fluid intake, or increased dietary fruit and fiber may be effective in preventing and resolving constipation. Breast-feeding precautions: Consult prescriber if breast-feeding.

Do not use unless solution is clear

Solution: 70%

Solution, genitourinary irrigation: 3% (1500 mL, 3000 mL); 3.3% (2000 mL)

Brown AM and Masson E, "Hidden Sorbitol in Proprietary Medicines _ A Cause for Concern?" Pharm J, 1990, 245:211.

Charney EB and Bodurtha JN, "Intractable Diarrhea Associated With the Use of Sorbitol," J Pediatr, 1981, 98:157-8.

Gazda-Smith E and Synhavsky A, "Hypernatremia Following Treatment of Theophylline Toxicity With Activated Charcoal and Sorbitol," Arch Intern Med, 1990, 150(3):689, 692.

James LP, Nichols MH, and King WD, "A Comparison of Cathartics in Pediatric Ingestions," Pediatrics, 1995, 96(2 Pt 1):235-8.

Kumar A, Weatherly MR, and Beaman DC, "Sweeteners, Flavorings, and Dyes in Antibiotic Preparations," Pediatrics, 1991, 87(3):352-60.

Lederle FA, Busch DL, Mattox KM, et al, "Cost-Effective Treatment of Constipation in the Elderly: A Randomized Double-Blend Comparison of Sorbitol and Lactulose," Am J Med, 1990, 89(5):597-601.