
In 1932, Prof. M.D. Glaessner detailed the development of a new type of laxative, a carbon dioxide releasing suppository. Trialling these suppositories in humans, he noted that the release of carbon dioxide triggered the passage of a normal stool in a short time period.1
Clauser et al. studied the effect of Lecicarbon suppositories versus placebo. This trial was performed, in part, to show how double-blind studies could be used to differentiate between placebo and active effects.
They found that in a double-blind clinical trial, Lecicarbon was effective in 66% of 134 patients compared with success in 10% of 48 patients in the placebo group.
One conclusion they drew on Lecicarbon was that Lecicarbon “supports a normal, daily reflex bowel pattern in a natural way through carbon dioxide production.”2
Lecicarbon used as part of a bowel cleansing procedure prior to tomographic colonography.3
Lecicarbon A (licensed for use in adults) and Lecicarbon C (licensed for use in children) were approved in the UK via the well-established use application.4
Lecicarbon E (the German equivalent of Lecicarbon A) was referenced as an available rectal stimulant in Guidelines for Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction in individuals with Central Neurological Conditions.5
References: 1) K. Glaessner; Therapeutic studies on chronic (habitual) obstipation: Sonderabdruck aus Archiv fϋr Verdauungskranheiten, B.d. 52(1932) Heft 1/2, p44-49. 2) G. Clauser et al; Placebo Therapy of Obstipation and clinical trials of laxatives: Medizinische Klinik (Die Wochenschrift fϋr Klinik und Praxis) 52.Jg Nr.24 (1947) p1071-1073. 3) S. Yamamoto et al; A simple image processing approach for electronic cleansing in computed tomographic colonography: Biomed Imaging Interv J 3 (2009) p28. 4) Lecicarbon A & C Suppositories SmPCs 5) Guidelines for management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in individuals with central neurological conditions; MASCIP (2012).