Life Science Encyclopedia

Polycarbophil, also Calcium Polycarbophil is the International Nonproprietary Name of a synthetic polymer the calcium salt of polyacrylic acid cross-linked with divynyl glycol.

Clinical Uses

Main article: laxatives

It is used as stool stabilizer to treat constipation, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.

Calcium polycarbophil has been marketed as over-the-counter agents used for treating functional bowel disorder and as a bulk-producing agent

Presentations

Chewable tablet containing Calcium Polycarbophil 625mg

References

• Boehringer-Ingelheim

• Takaharu Saito, Fujie Mizutani, Yuji Iwanaga, Kouji Morikawa and Hideo Kato. 2002. Laxative and Anti-diarrheal Activity of Polycarbophil in Mice and Rats. . Jpn.J. Pharmacol. 89, p. 133

• Akira Torii, and Gotaro Toda. 2004. Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Internal Medicine 43, p. 353