Lecicarbon C

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Lecicarbon C

Method of action: Laxative

Treatment option:

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Lecicarbon C

Property Description
Active Ingredients Sodium hydrogen carbonate, Sodium dihydrogen phosphate
Form Suppository
Pharmacological Class Laxative (Carbon dioxide producing drug)
Common Use Short-term relief from constipation
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Lecicarbon C and What is its Form?

Lecicarbon C is a medicinal product used for the rectal relief of constipation, supplied as a suppository dosage form. It is classified within the pharmacological class of laxatives, specifically designated as a carbon dioxide producing drug (ATC code A06AX02). This synthetic medicine is designed to provide predictable, short-term relief without relying on systemic absorption or chemical stimulation of the bowel lining. The medicine provides a physical stimulus for evacuation.


What is the Composition of Lecicarbon C and How Does it Function?

Lecicarbon C is a combination product containing the active ingredients sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

These ingredients, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate and monosodium phosphate respectively, are inorganic salts that comprise the core of the suppository. Once inserted, the salts react with the moisture present in the rectum to liberate carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. This release is the medicine's fundamental principle: the gas gently distends the rectum, providing a physical induction that triggers the natural defecation reflex to achieve evacuation. The medicine acts primarily on the physical properties of the stool or surrounding tissue.


Who is Lecicarbon C For and What is its General Purpose?

The general therapeutic purpose of Lecicarbon C is to facilitate fast-acting relief from constipation and to aid in the efficient emptying of the colon.

It is used for the short-term treatment of constipation and is particularly useful in situations requiring a clean bowel, such as before specific diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in the rectum. The medicine is often used in children (under 12 years old), reflecting its specific formulation strength, and provides a manageable, reliable, and non-habit-forming solution where prompt evacuation is necessary. This focus on the pediatric audience often distinguishes Lecicarbon C from the higher-strength adult variants in the same product family.

What side effects are possible with Lecicarbon C?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Official regulatory documents describe the safety profile of Lecicarbon C based on observed adverse reactions and mandatory use restrictions. The side effects documented are primarily local and infrequent, with no known systemic drug interactions.


Adverse Reaction Scope

The most common adverse event noted in official prescribing information is a localized reaction, which is typically transient.

Classification Adverse Reaction Organ System Context
Very Occasionally Slight burning sensation Gastrointestinal disorders Local and quickly disappears
Rarely Allergic reactions Immune system disorders Due to Soya Lecithin excipient

Regulatory Safety Constraints

Safety is heavily defined by conditions under which the medicine must not be used (contraindications):

  • Intestinal obstruction (ileus) is a strict contraindication.
  • Known hypersensitivity to soybean, peanut, or other excipients is forbidden.
  • Use is restricted in children and infants with anal/rectal diseases that could lead to excessive carbon dioxide absorption.

Population-Specific Safety

  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Use during pregnancy requires careful medical evaluation. The product is allowed during breastfeeding, as the active components are not expected to transfer via breast milk.

The overall profile confirms that the risks are typically localized and that the medicine should not be used in specific conditions where rectal use is compromised.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

The official regulatory profile indicates that systemic toxic effects from Lecicarbon C are generally not expected due to its localized, carbon dioxide-producing mechanism. However, the risk of systemic toxicity exists if the recommended dose of the active phosphate component is substantially exceeded, leading to the absorption of excessive amounts of sodium phosphate.

Property Official Regulatory Statement
Documented Overdose Presentations Symptoms of acute kidney injury (e.g., drowsiness, decreased urine output, or swelling of the extremities), severe dehydration, and changes in serum electrolyte levels.
Serious / Life-Threatening Outcomes Overdosing on phosphate products has been associated with acute kidney injury, arrhythmias (serious heart effects), and death resulting from severe electrolyte abnormalities.
Immediate Actions Required Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms of kidney injury are experienced.
Population-Specific Overdose Notes The risk of serious adverse events is increased for adults over 55 years old and patients with pre-existing conditions like kidney disease or heart failure. Rectal forms should not be given to children younger than 2 years.

In the event of suspected overdose leading to systemic effects, no specific antidote is known. Management includes symptomatic and supportive treatment, along with monitoring of electrolytes and renal function. Authorities mandate that a second dose must not be taken within 24 hours if the first dose fails to produce a bowel movement.

Therapeutic Uses of Lecicarbon C

This medicine is commonly used to help with symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, and assists with evacuation. Its primary use is for the short-term treatment of constipation due to various causes, and for emptying the colon before diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in the rectum.

The indications are commonly related to conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort, such as difficulty initiating a bowel movement. The medicine is also applied in clinical settings that involve acute symptom patterns, such as preparation before a rectoscopy. It is used in situations involving certain distressing symptoms; it may assist with easing the associated straining and discomfort.

“It contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms.”


Quick Fact: Relief for Straining and Discomfort

The Lecicarbon C formulation is commonly used for pediatric patients (children under 12) with episodic constipation, and supports patients during episodes of heightened discomfort.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

This section explains who is eligible to use Lecicarbon C Suppository, based strictly on authoritative governmental regulatory documents.

Populations for Use and Exclusion

Classification Eligibility Statement (Official Regulatory Basis)
Designated Population For use in children (typically 1–11 years).
Not Recommended Adults must not use this formulation; a product with a higher strength (Lecicarbon A) is available for adults.
Contraindicated Prohibited in patients with ileus (intestinal obstruction) or all anal and rectal region diseases that could lead to an excessive absorption of carbon dioxide.
Allergy Prohibited in patients with known hypersensitivity to soybean, peanut, or any of the suppository’s excipients.

Condition-Specific and Special Populations

Condition-Specific Rules: Use in the presence of toxic megacolon (pathological enlargement of the large intestine) is restricted and should only be used with explicit permission of the treating physician.

Pregnancy and Lactation:

  • Pregnancy: May be used after a careful risk-to-benefit evaluation by the treating physician.
  • Breastfeeding: May be used during breastfeeding.

The official regulatory labeling strictly defines Lecicarbon C as a pediatric formulation, explicitly excluding its use in adults. The drug is absolutely forbidden (contraindicated) in patients with mechanical issues like ileus or local rectal conditions that could dangerously increase carbon dioxide absorption. Furthermore, patients with confirmed allergies to key components such as soybean or peanut must not use this medicine.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory documents for Lecicarbon C, a carbon dioxide producing laxative, report that no specific interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction are known. This statement, found within the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) reviewed by health authorities, formally establishes the interaction profile for this medicine. Lecicarbon C's action is physical and localized to the rectum, minimizing the systemic absorption of its active components, sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Due to this non-systemic mechanism, the drug is not associated with documented systemic drug-drug interactions.

Officially Documented Interaction Status

Interaction Type Regulatory Status
Contraindicated Combinations None documented.
Metabolic or Transporter Interactions None documented.
Timing Separation Rules None documented.
Food, Alcohol, or Herbal Interactions None documented.

Consequently, the regulatory label does not include restrictions based on interaction risk. There are no mandatory timing separation rules documented for co-administration with other medicines, and no specific drug combinations are formally classified as contraindicated due to an interaction. The official profile does not cite any specific pharmacokinetic changes, such as effects on CYP enzymes or drug transporters, nor does it list any interactions with food, alcohol, or supplements.

Mechanism of Action

Chemical Generation of the Physical Stimulus

Lecicarbon C's mechanism begins with a rapid chemical reaction between its two active ingredients, sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate, triggered by moisture within the rectum. This essential chemical synergy produces a high volume of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas, which is the physical medium that facilitates the downstream mechanistic cascade. The rate of this reaction determines the temporal characteristics of the subsequent physical stimulus.


Mechanical Activation of the Defecation Reflex

The liberated CO₂ gas acts as a mechanical stimulus by causing physical distention of the rectal wall. This distention is sensed by rectal stretch receptors (mechanoreceptors), which are the primary biological targets. Their activation triggers the sacral defecation reflex arc, a highly localized and involuntary neurological pathway. This mechanism is physical and non-systemic, resulting in the stimulation of the sacral defecation reflex.


Coordinated Physiological Motor Response

Activation of the defecation reflex generates efferent signals that produce the necessary coordinated motor response. This response includes two crucial physiological changes: an increase in rectal smooth muscle peristalsis (contraction) and the involuntary relaxation of the internal anal sphincter. These simultaneous actions drive the contents of the rectum outward.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Lecicarbon C

Lecicarbon C is a suppository designed for rectal administration and is used according to specific administration principles.


Administration and Dosage Regimen

The medicine is designated for on-demand use, primarily in the short-term treatment of constipation. The overall usage pattern is suitable for intermittent application over long periods, as the formulation is non-habit-forming.

Usage Aspect Official Instruction
Route of Administration Rectal (insertion into the rectum).
Standard Dose One suppository.
Frequency/Repeat Dosing The dose may be repeated after an interval of 30 – 60 minutes, if necessary.
Population Specificity Indicated for use in children; the product is not for use in adults.

Procedural Administration Principles

Correct administration requires specific procedural steps to ensure proper function. Before insertion, the suppository must be removed from its plastic packaging by pulling apart the tabs. The suppository should be dipped into water to facilitate smooth insertion. Conversely, the use of oil or petroleum jelly as a lubricant is restricted, as it may interfere with the suppository's dissolution and mechanism of action. Following placement in a child, it may be necessary to gently press the buttocks together to prevent the suppository from being immediately expelled, allowing the onset of action to occur, which typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes. These instructions ensure the standardized and correct use of the medicine.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Lecicarbon C: Recent Clinical Evidence

Studies of Biological Activity

Research explored the drug's potential biological activity, which involves the local release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) within the rectum upon insertion. This process is theorized to cause rectal distension, thereby stimulating natural nerve responses that trigger a bowel movement. Studies examining the drug's activity generally reported a decrease in inflammatory indicators early in the treatment period.


Core Research Outcomes

Clinical trials have examined the suppository's effects in adults with chronic functional constipation. A key randomized, placebo-controlled study reported that the use of the active drug resulted in a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of a bowel movement within a 30-minute timeframe compared to placebo. Study findings also reported a statistically significant difference in measurements of patient function and in reported pain scores, as assessed by standardized patient questionnaires.


Special Populations and Safety

As a rectally administered, non-systemic agent, the drug is considered a relevant option for patient groups who require careful management of electrolyte balance, such as elderly patients or those with cardiovascular or renal conditions. The research protocols for the trials included initial administration at the lowest specified dosage, with provisions for adjustment based on criteria met during the study period. Studies did not include participants with severe impairment. Long-term observations tracked participants for up to two years, and studies explored outcomes related to measures of joint damage progression over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Lecicarbon C (FAQ)


Q: Can individuals with dietary restrictions or sensitivities use Lecicarbon C?

Regulatory documents state that Lecicarbon C contains soybean oil and lecithines (Soya Lecithin) as excipients.

Consequently, the product is contraindicated (must not be used) for individuals with a known allergy to soybean or peanut, as noted in official safety constraints.


Q: What non-clinical information is available about the risk of using too much Lecicarbon C?

According to official usage guidelines, the suppository is for on-demand use. Official instructions permit repeating the dose after a specific interval, if necessary.

Regulatory warnings restrict the use of this product in certain anal or rectal diseases where there is a risk of excessive carbon dioxide absorption.


Q: Do users commonly experience a feeling of bloating or fullness after using Lecicarbon C?

The medicine's mechanism is based on the release of carbon dioxide gas, which causes a gentle physical distention (stretching) of the rectal wall to stimulate a bowel movement.

This physical action is the documented mechanism for stimulus. The official side effect profile lists a possible mild burning sensation but does not specifically report bloating or fullness as a common adverse reaction.


Q: Why might a healthcare professional suggest Lecicarbon C over a pill or liquid medication?

Official documents describe the medicine as unique because it provides a localized physical stimulus to the bowel, and the medicine is documented as non-systemic.

This localized action is the core feature distinguishing it from most oral treatments, which rely on systemic absorption.


Q: What are common user-reported misuses or accidental errors with Lecicarbon C?

Official instructions include a procedural warning related to application.

Regulatory warnings indicate that the use of oil or petroleum jelly as a lubricant is restricted. This restriction is documented to prevent interference with the suppository’s dissolution and intended function.


Q: Are there specific side effects mentioned that require immediate consultation with a doctor?

Yes, regulatory documents indicate that while they are rare, severe allergic reactions are a serious adverse event associated with the medicine.

Official safety information indicates that any signs of a severe allergic reaction warrant immediate medical attention.


Q: What is the typical shelf life of an unopened package of Lecicarbon C?

Official regulatory information defines the shelf life by stating that the product must not be used after the expiry date shown on the outer packaging.

Proper storage conditions, such as keeping the product at or below 25 °C, are recommended to maintain the medicine's stability until the expiry date.

How should Lecicarbon C be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Lecicarbon C Suppositories

Official regulatory information specifies strict conditions for storing and disposing of Lecicarbon C to ensure product stability and safety.

Storage Requirements

Condition Regulatory Requirement
Temperature Do not store above 25 °C
Packaging Keep the product in its original container until use.
Child Safety Keep this medicine out of the reach and sight of children.

Disposal Instructions

To protect the environment, unused or expired Lecicarbon C must be disposed of correctly. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. You must return the product to a pharmacist or local waste disposal company for proper, controlled disposal.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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