THIS IS AN ASPIRE PHARMA WEBSITE PAGE INTENDED FOR UK PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED LECICARBON A OR LECICARBON C (SODIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE, SODIUM DIHYDROGEN PHOSPHATE)
Adverse event reporting can be found at the bottom of the page.
About Constipation
What is Constipation?
Constipation is a common digestive issue that effects people of all ages.
Primarily, it is characterised by causing people to have uncomfortable, infrequent or difficult bowel movements.1,2 People with constipation may feel they have to strain more than usual to poo or find they are unable to completely empty their bowels.3
It’s estimated that in the UK, up to 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 3 children are experiencing constipation at any one time.4
Constipation in Adults
Symptoms of adult constipation
The NHS highlight the key symptoms of constipation as: 1
- Pooing less than three times per week, or less than usual for you.
- Having to strain harder than usual to pass stools.
- Feeling pain as you try to pass stools.
- Passing unusually dry, hard, and lumpy stools, which can be small or large.
- Not feeling as if you have completely emptied your bowel after visiting the toilet.
Causes of adult constipation
Constipation in adults can be caused by various factors and sometimes there is no clear cause.
Some common causes include: 1,5
- Insufficient high fibre food consumption (such as fruit, vegetables and cereals).
- Not drinking enough fluids.
- Lack of physical activity and prolonged periods of sitting or lying down.
- A lack of exercise.
- Frequently ignoring the urge to use the toilet.
- Sudden change in diet or your daily routine.
- Medicine side effects.
- Experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
Constipation in Children
Symptoms of constipation in children
Your child may be constipated if: 6
- They have pooed less than three times in the last week.
- Their stool is large and hard or small and pellet like.
- They are having to strain harder than usual to pass stools and are in pain.
- Experience some bleeding during or after a bowel movement due to the stool being large and hard.
- They have a poor appetite or stomach pain that eases after they poo.
Additionally, in children over 1-year old, soiled pants can also indicate constipation. Runny poo (diarrhoea) can sometimes leak out around constipated poo: this is known as overflow soiling.
Causes of constipation in children
There are a variety of causes for constipation in children and sometimes the reason is not obvious.
Some frequent possible causes outlined by the NHS are: 6
- Your child is not eating enough high fibre foods (such as fruit and vegetables)
- Your child is not drinking enough fluids.
- Your child could generally be feeling worried or anxious about something.
- Your child feels pressured or is frequently disrupted when using the potty or toilet.
Sometimes, when children have constipation and find it painful to poo, it can deter them from wanting to try again to completely pass stools. This can create a cycle leading to further constipation.
Bristol Stool Chart
The Bristol Stool Chart is a useful tool used by healthcare practitioners and patients which can help you identify constipation.
If your poo looks like type 1 or type 2, it usually indicates that you are experiencing constipation.7
Resources
By using the link below you will leave the Lecicarbon website and be re-directed to an external site;
Aspire Pharma is not responsible for the content on external websites.
References:
1) NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/ (Accessed October 2025)
2) Patient https://patient.info/digestive-health/constipation (Accessed October 2025)
3) Bladder and Bowel Community https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/bowel-problems/constipation/ (Accessed October 2025)
4) NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/constipation/ (Accessed October 2025)
5) Guts UK https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/symptoms/constipation/ (Accessed October 2025)
6) NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/constipation-in-children/ (Accessed October 2025)
7) NHS Scotland North https://www.nhsscotlandnorth.scot/nca/dietary-advice/a-z-signs-symptoms/constipation (Accessed October 2025)
MAT-UK-LEC-0010-1 | October 2025
Reporting of Side Effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
This includes any possible side effects not listed in the product’s package leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of medicines.
