Colofac 135mg (Mebeverine)

Colofac general information

What is Colofac used for?

Colofac tablets 135mg are used to treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other similar conditions including, chronic irritable colon, spastic constipation, functional bowel disorders, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous diarrhoea. IBS may be triggered by infection, chronic stress or depression and may be a symptom of another illness like coeliac disease or a parasitic infection like giardiasis. Symptoms are caused by spasm of the intestinal muscle as it squeezes food through the intestine and include abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhoea alternating with constipation and flatulence (wind). Colofac 135 acts directly on the intestine wall to reduce muscle spasm and relieve symptoms of spasm.

How does Colofac work?

Colofac tablets 135mg contain mebeverine, an antispasmodic that has musculotropic and anticholinergic activity used to control muscle spasm, which is when muscle contraction is spasmodic and uncontrolled. Mebeverine in Colofac tablets 135mg acts directly on the smooth muscle of the intestine, particularly the colon (large intestine) and causes the intestinal muscle to relax by several mechanisms, including acting on the calcium channels of the intestinal cells to stabilise excitable membranes. Mebeverine in Colofac tablets 135mg also blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is a chemical that sends messages to nerve cells involved in controlling the involuntarily movements of smooth muscle such as in the intestine. This spasmolytic activity (relieves muscle spasm) of Colofac 135 helps relieve painful symptoms of intestinal muscle spasm that cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), without affecting normal intestinal motility.

What does Colofac contain?

Colofac tablets 135mg contain the active ingredient mebeverine hydrochloride, an antispasmodic that is used to treat painful symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They also contain lactose, starch (potato or maize), povidone, talc, magnesium stearate, sucrose, gelatin, acacia, carnauba wax.

Treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with Colofac

Colofac tablets 135mg contain mebeverine, an antispasmodic that is used to treat painful symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) caused by spasm of intestinal smooth muscle, including abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhoea alternating with constipation and flatulence (wind). Muscle spasm is when muscle contraction is spasmodic and uncontrolled. Mebeverine in Colofac tablets 135mg acts directly on the smooth muscle of the intestine, particularly the colon (large intestine) and causes the intestinal muscle to relax by several mechanisms, including blocking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is a chemical that sends messages to nerve cells involved in controlling the involuntarily movements of smooth muscle such as in the intestine. This spasmolytic activity (relieves muscle spasm) of Colofac 135 helps relieve painful symptoms of intestinal muscle spasm that cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other similar conditions including, chronic irritable colon, spastic constipation, functional bowel disorders, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous diarrhoea, without affecting normal intestinal motility.

What are the side effects of Colofac?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Colofac tablets 135mg include, indigestion, heartburn, dizziness, insomnia, loss of appetite, headache; decrease in pulse rate, constipation, general malaise, rash and/or itchy skin.

When should Colofac not be used?

You should not use Colofac tablets 135mg if you:

• are allergic to mebeverine, lactose, or any ingredients in Colofac
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have heart conditions including, cardiac dysrhythmia, atrioventricular heart block and/or angina, severe ischaemic heart disease

How should Colofac be taken?

You should take your Colofac tablets 135mg with a glass of water 3 times daily, preferably 20 minutes before meals. You should continue to take your Colofac 135 according to your doctor’s recommendations and if after several weeks your condition improves you may be recommended to gradually reduce your dose.

How long should you take Colofac?

You should continue to take your Colofac tablets 135mg according to your doctor’s recommendations and if after several weeks your condition improves you may be recommended to gradually reduce your dose.

Missed dose of Colofac

If you miss a dose of Colofac tablets 135mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Colofac be stored?

You should store your Colofac tablets 135mg below 30°C in a cool dry place.