PICOSIA SYRUP

ACCOTT PICOSIA Suspension 

The product shown is Picosia Suspension, 170 mL. The label clearly identifies the three active laxative ingredients:

Light Liquid Paraffin + Milk of Magnesia + Sodium Picosulphate.

ACCOTT's product catalogue lists Picosia SYP with this same three-ingredient combination. (Accott Healthcare India Inc)

A closely matching published formulation from the same product range gives the strength per 5 mL as liquid paraffin 1.25 mL, milk of magnesia 3.75 mL and sodium picosulfate 3.33 mg. (Medmom Pharma)

Composition

IngredientAmount / 5 mL*Main actionLiquid Paraffin1.25 mLLubricant/stool-softening laxativeMilk of Magnesia (Magnesium hydroxide)3.75 mLOsmotic laxative; draws water into bowelSodium Picosulfate3.33 mgStimulant laxative; increases intestinal movementSuspending/flavouring/preservative agentsNot availableStability, taste and consistency

*The exact strength above is documented for the closely matching Picosia-L formulation; the ACCOTT listing for Picosia SYP confirms the ingredients but does not publish the quantities. Therefore, check the bottle's “each 5 mL contains” panel before treating these quantities as definitive for this exact batch. (Accott Healthcare India Inc)

1. Liquid Paraffin — 1.25 mL/5 mL

Liquid paraffin (mineral oil) acts mainly as a lubricant laxative.

• Coats stool and intestinal contents.

• Helps stool pass more easily.

• Particularly useful when hard stool needs lubrication.

Important: prolonged or inappropriate use can cause problems such as leakage/aspiration-related complications and may interfere with absorption of some fat-soluble substances.

2. Milk of Magnesia — 3.75 mL/5 mL

Milk of magnesia is magnesium hydroxide.

It works as an osmotic laxative:

• draws water into the intestine;

• softens stool;

• increases bowel water content;

• helps promote bowel evacuation.

It can also have an antacid effect at appropriate doses, but in this combination its principal purpose is laxative.

People with significant kidney impairment need particular caution with magnesium-containing laxatives because magnesium can accumulate.

3. Sodium Picosulfate — 3.33 mg/5 mL

This is the stimulant component.

After activation in the colon, it stimulates the intestinal lining and increases colonic contractions, promoting bowel movement.

So this component provides a different mechanism from the other two.

How the three ingredients work together

Liquid paraffin → lubricates stool
↓
Milk of magnesia → brings water into stool
↓
Sodium picosulfate → stimulates bowel movement

Therefore, Picosia is a combination laxative, rather than simply a stool softener.

Approximate total active ingredients in 170 mL

If the 1.25 mL + 3.75 mL + 3.33 mg per 5 mL formulation applies to this 170-mL bottle:

• Liquid paraffin: ~42.5 mL

• Milk of magnesia: ~127.5 mL

• Sodium picosulfate: ~113.2 mg

These are calculated totals, not a recommended dose.

Important

Because this is a fairly potent combination containing a stimulant laxative, it should not be used continuously for constipation without determining the cause. Excessive use can cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.

If you send me a close-up of the side label, I can verify the exact mg/mL or mg/5 mL, as well as identify the inactive ingredients and whether this particular 170-mL product differs from the Picosia-L formulation. 