Vegetable Laxatives.
Martindale�s 24th.
Part 3 of 5.
Compiled and edited by Ivor Hughes
Figs. Prepared from fig 32
g., compound tincture of rhubarb 5 ml., liquid extract of senna 10 ml.,
elixir of cascara sagrada 5 ml., sucrose 54 g., and water to 100 ml.
A mild pleasant laxative for children.
Dose: 2 to 8 ml. (30 to 120 minims).
The B.N.F. directs that this syrup be dispensed when Syrup of Figs is
prescribed.
Syr. Fie. (B.P.C. 1934). Syrup
of Figs.
Add fig, cut small, 40 g. to 100 ml. of boiling water and digest at a gentle
heat for 1 hour; strain, express, and wash pulp with sufficient warm water
to produce 100 ml. evaporate to 50 ml., dissolve sucrose 67.5 g., and adjust
to 100 ml. with water.
Dose: 2 to 8 ml. (30 to 120 minims).
Prune (B.P.C.). Prunus.
The dried ripe fruits of Prunus domestica and other species of Prunus (Rosacese).
Store in a dry place.
Uses. It has laxative and demulcent
properties, and is an ingredient of Confection of Senna.
Tamarind (B.P.C.). West Indian
Tamarind.
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Belg. and Ger. Also in Ind. P.C.
The fruits of Tamarindus indica (Leguminosse)
freed from the brittle outer part of the pericarp and preserved with sugar.
A dark reddish-brown moist sugary mass with a fragrant, fruity odour and a
sweet, pleasantly acid taste; it contains tartaric acid, potassium hydrogen
tartrate, and about 30% of invert sugar. It should be stored in a cool
place.
Uses. A mild laxative, and an ingredient
of Confection of Senna.
Buckthorn (B.P.C. 1934). Rhamnus;
Bacca Spinae Cervina;; Nerprun; Espino cerval.
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Belg., Fr., Pol., and Span.
The fresh ripe fruit of buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica (Rhamnacea;). An
active cathartic which is prone to cause severe griping; it is usually
administered as a syrup. Its chief use is in veterinary practice.
Syrupus Rhamni (B.P.C. 1934).
Syrup of Buckthorn.
Evaporate 50 ml. of expressed juice of buckthorn to 30 ml. and set aside for
12 hours; dissolve in it sucrose 65 g. with the aid of heat, then strain and
cool; add strong tincture of ginger 0.52 ml. and pimento oil 0.01 ml. mixed
with alcohol (90%) 3.12 ml., and adjust to 100 g. with water.
Dose: 2 to 4 ml. (30 to 60 minims).
Belg. P. has expressed juice 40 g. and
sugar 60 g.
Frangula (B.P.C. 1949). Frang.;
Alder Buckthorn Bark; Frangula Bark; Bourdaine; Faulbaumrinde.
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Belg., Chil., Cz., Dan., Egyp., Fr., Ger.,
Hung., Jug., Nor., Pol., Span., Swed., and Swiss.
The dried bark of Rhamnus frangula (Frangula alnus) (Rhamnaceae),
collected at least one year before use. Store in a cool dry place.
Uses. A mild purgative with properties
similar to those of cascara sagrada. It is usually employed as a liquid
extract 1:1;
Dose: 2 to 5 ml.; a dry extract is also
used.
Colocynth (B.P.C.) Colocynthis;
Colocynth Pulp; Bitter Apple; Coloquinte; Koloquinthen.
Dose: 120 to 300 mg. (2 to 5
grains).
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Dan., Egyp., Fr., Ger., Hung., Ind., Nor.,
Swed., and Swiss. Also in U.S.N.F.
The dried pulp of the fruit of Citrullus colocynthis (Cucurbitaceae). Toxic
Effects. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea with
bloodstained watery stools, delirium and prostration. A dose of from 4 to
6 g. may be fatal. The powdered drug causes severe pain if it comes into
contact with the nasal mucous membrane.
Uses.
Colocynth has a drastic purgative action and hence is seldom used alone but
is usually combined with hyoscyamus to counteract the griping. The purgative
principles are partly absorbed and then excreted in the urine. Colocynth
should not be given to nursing mothers as it is excreted in the milk.
Extracts.
Colocynth Extract (U.S.N.F.). Bitter Apple Extract.
A dry alcoholic extract, 1 g. representing 4 g. of Colocynth.
Usual dose: 30 mg. (1/2 grain).
Compound Colocynth Extract
(U.S.N.F.).
Colocynth extract 16, ipomoea resin 14, aloes 65, and cardamom seed
5.
Usual dose: 250 mg. (4 grains).
Compound Extract of Colocynth
(B.P.C.). Ext. Colocynth. Co.
A dry extract prepared by extracting colocynth 27 g. with alcohol (60%) 700
ml., evaporating to dryness, powdering the residue, and adding aloes 56 g., ipomoea
resin 18.5 g., curd soap 14 g., and cardamom seed 4.5 g. Protect from
moisture in a cool place.
Dose: 120 to 500 mg. (2 to 8
grains).
Pills
Compound Pills of Colocynth (B.P.C.). Pil. Colocynth. Co.;
Alexander's Liver Pills; Gregory's Pills; Pilulie Cochias.
Each contains colocynth 2/3 gr., aloes 1 & l/3 gr., ipomoea resin l
&1/3 gr., curd soap 1/3 gr., and clove oil 1/5 rn., massed with syrup of
liquid glucose.
Dose: 1 or 2 pills.
Hamilton's Pills. Compound extract of colocynth 2 parts and dry extract of hyoscyamus 1 part, made into 4 gr. pills.
Pil. Aperiens (N.F. 1939). Pil. Hydrarg. c. Colocynth. et Hyoscy. Each contains pill of colocynth and hyoscyamus (mass) 4 gr. and pill-mass of mercury 1 gr.
Pil. Colocynth. et Hydrarg.
(B.P.C. 1949). Pills of Colocynth and Mercury; Abernethy's Pills.
Each contains compound extract of colocynth 2 gr. and pill
of mercury 3 gr.
Dose: 1 or 2 pills.
Pills of Colocynth and
Hyoscyamus (B.P.C.). Pil. Colocynth. et Hyoscy. (B.N.F.). Christison's
Pills.
Each contains colocynth � gr., aloes 1 gr., ipomoea resin � gr., curd soap
� gr., clove oil 1/6 m., and dry extract of hyoscyamus � gr., massed with
syrup of liquid glucose.
Dose: 1 or 2 pills. Tablets
Compound Tablets of Colocynth
and Jalap (B.P.C.). Tab. Colocynth. et Jalap. Co. (B.N.F.); Vegetable
Laxative Tablets.
Each contains compound extract of colocynth 1 gr., jalap resin � gr.,
podophyllum resin � gr., dry extract of hyoscyamus � gr., and peppermint
oil 1/10 m. They may be coated with sugar or other suitable material.
Dose: 1 to 3 tablets.
PROPRIETARY PREPARATION CONTAINING COLOCYNTH.
Tablax (Burroughs Wellcome).
Laxative vegetable tablets each containing Compound Colocynth Extract,
B.P. 1914, 1 gr., jalap extract � gr., podophyllum resin � gr., Green
Hyoscyamus Extract, B.P. 1898, � gr., and menthol 1/20 gr.
Dose: 1 to 3 tablets.
Croton Oil (B.P.C. 1949). Ol. Croton.; Oleum Tiglii. 'Croton, oil of.
Dose: 0.03 to 0.06 ml. ( � to 1
minim).
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Belg., Chil., Fr., Ger., Pol., Span., and
Swiss.
An oil expressed from the seeds of Croton tiglium (Euphorbiaceae). It is
an amber-yellow, orange, or brown, viscous liquid with a nauseous odour and
a taste which is at first mild but afterwards sharp and acrid. Wt per ml.
about 0.95 g.
Insoluble in water; soluble 1 in
less than 1 of dehydrated alcohol forming a clear solution but the addition of more alcohol causes separation into two layers; freely soluble in carbon disulphide, chloroform, ether, light petroleum, and fixed and volatile oils. Exposure to air and light causes darkening and increases the viscosity of the oil and its solubility in alcohol. Protect from air and light in small well-filled containers.
Toxic Effects and Antidotes. As for Colocynth.
Contra-indications It should never be given to children, pregnant women, or feeble subjects, and is contra-indicated in the presence of haemorrhoids and inflammatory conditions of the stomach and intestines.
Uses. Croton oil is so violent a purgative that it is now rarely employed; it has been used in very severe constipation. If used it should be administered with sugar or mixed with butter. Externally, it is a powerful counter-irritant and vesicant.
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