ATC Group: A06AC Bulk producers

The World Health Organization's ATC classification organizes medical drugs based on therapeutic properties, chemical composition, and anatomy. It helps make essential medicines readily available globally and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Position of A06AC in the ATC hierarchy

Level
Code
Title
1
Alimentary tract and metabolism
2
Laxatives
3
Laxatives
4
A06AC
Bulk producers

Group A06AC contents

Code
Title
Ispaghula (psylla seeds)
Ethulose
Sterculia
Linseed
Methylcellulose
Triticum (wheat fibre)
Polycarbophil calcium
Ispaghula, combinations
Sterculia, combinations
Linseed, combinations

Active ingredients in A06AC

Active Ingredient
Description

Ispaghula is particularly rich in alimentary fibres and mucilages. Ispaghula is capable of absorbing up to 40 times its own weight in water. Gut motility and transit rate can be modified by ispaghula through mechanical stimulation of the gut wall as a result of the increase in intestinal bulk by water and the decrease in viscosity of the luminal contents.

Methylcellulose is a chemical compound derived from cellulose. Methylcellulose is used to treat constipation. It is classified as a bulk forming laxative. Methylcellulose is a hydrophilic colloid which absorbs water causing it to swell to a soft gel of uniform consistency. It works by increasing the amount of stool present which improves intestinal contractions.

Related product monographs

Title
Information Source
Document Type
 
Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB)
Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
Health Products Regulatory Authority (IE)
Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)