Colofac 135mg Tablets

What are Colofac tablets?

Colofac tablets are an effective oral treatment for symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common condition that causes pain in the gut or intestine, bloating, excess wind, and often diarrhoea. The active ingredient in Colofac helps to relax the stomach muscles, relieving spasms and cramps, alleviating the bloated feeling, and reducing flatulence and diarrhoea.

The main benefits of Colofac tablets:

• They’re an effective oral treatment for IBS symptoms including stomach cramps, bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea.
• The active ingredient mebeverine is an antispasmodic agent that relaxes the muscles in the bowel.
• They can be taken up to 3 times per day, and are most effective when taken shortly before meals.
• They provide relief from IBS symptoms in 1 hour.
• You can buy them online with next day delivery.

Colofac is a prescription-only IBS medication, so the tablets need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional. To buy Colofac online from The Independent Pharmacy, simply complete a short online consultation and your medication can be dispatched the same working day.

How do Colofac tablets work?

Colofac contains the active ingredient of mebeverine hydrochloride, an antispasmodic agent that relaxes the muscles in the intestines to relieve stomach spasms, cramps and pain, while allowing the bowel to continue functioning effectively. Mebeverine is also effective at treating flatulence (excess wind) and can help to prevent loose stools and diarrhoea.

How long does it take for Colofac to work?

Mebeverine, the active ingredient in Colofac tablets, typically starts to work in 1 hour. You should feel relief from your stomach cramps, as well as an improvement in other symptoms such as flatulence and diarrhoea. For best results, take a tablet around 20 minutes before eating a meal, as this will help to alleviate IBS symptoms when they’re at their strongest.

Alternatives to Colofac tablets

If you’re unable to take tablets (or you simply prefer not to), you can take mebeverine — the active ingredient in Colofac — in soluble form. Fybogel Mebeverine sachets dissolve in water to create a tasty drink, and help to relieve the symptoms of IBS.

Other over-the-counter alternatives to Colofac include:

• Colpermin capsules (a slow-release treatment containing peppermint oil).
• Silicolgel (an oral gel that treats heartburn, acid reflux, and IBS).
• Buscopan IBS Relief (tablets that provide fast relief from IBS symptoms).

To explore a full range of IBS treatments, or for more information on the causes and symptoms of the condition, visit our dedicated IBS page.

What’s the difference between Buscopan and Colofac?

Both Buscopan and Colofac provide relief from IBS symptoms, and they work in very similar ways. Colofac tablets contain the active ingredient of mebeverine hydrochloride, while Buscopan contains hyoscine butylbromide; both ingredients are antispasmodics that act as smooth muscle relaxants.

However, Buscopan is generally available over-the-counter from a pharmacy whereas a prescription or consultation is required before you can purchase Colofac. Buscopan also gets to work faster than Colofac, typically providing relief within 15 minutes whereas Colofac takes up to an hour to take effect.

Buscopan may be recommended as a first-line IBS treatment, while Colofac may be prescribed as an alternative if Buscopan has proved ineffective at treating your IBS symptoms.

Explore more about the differences between Buscopan and Mebeverine (the generic version of Colofac) in our guide to these popular IBS treatments.

How to take Colofac tablets

Swallow one tablet whole with plenty of water. Do not chew the tablet. For best results, try to take the tablet around 20 minutes before a meal (symptoms tend to be at their most severe after eating).

Colofac dosage

Adults and the elderly should take 1 tablet 3 times a day. If your symptoms improve (or if advised by your doctor), the dosage can be lowered. You should never take any more than 3 Colofac tablets in any 24-hour period.

If you take more Colofac tablets than you should, speak to a doctor or pharmacist or go to a hospital as soon as possible, taking the medicine pack with you.

If you forget a dose of Colofac tablets, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. You should never take a double dose of Colofac tablets to make up for a forgotten dose.

Each tablet contains 135 mg mebeverine hydrochloride.

The tablets also contain lactose, starch (potato), povidone, talc, magnesium stearate, sucrose, gelatin, acacia and carnauba wax.

As with any medication, side effects are possible when taking Colofac. However, the majority of people will not experience any adverse side effects or reactions.

If you do experience side effects, the most common is a skin rash (red, itchy skin). Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned.

If you experience difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, neck, tongue, or throat, you should seek medical assistance immediately. This could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction (though this is extremely rare).

You can find a full list of side effects in Section 4 of the Colofac Patient Information Leaflet.

Do not take Colofac tablets if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed below. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Colofac tablets if any of the following apply to you:

• You are 40 years or older.
• You have developed new IBS symptoms or your symptoms have worsened.
• You have liver or kidney problems.
• You have blood in your stools.
• You have lost your appetite or lost a lot of weight.
• You think you may have food poisoning, especially after travelling abroad.

Colofac tablets contain lactose and sucrose (types of sugar). If you are aware that you have an intolerance to some sugars (e.g. a lactose intolerance), talk to your doctor before taking this medication.

Can you take Colofac tablets with other medications?

No interactions with other medicines are known. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Colofac tablets if you are taking or planning to take any other medications at the same time.

Can you take Colofac tablets while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Since there is only limited information about the safety of mebeverine — the active ingredient in Colofac — for pregnant women, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Colofac tablets if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby. Colofac tablets should not be used during breastfeeding.

Can children take Colofac tablets?

Colofac tablets are not suitable for children or adolescents under the age of 18.