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Enterosgel is a drug-free, tasteless oral gel made from an organic mineral (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) and purified water. It is a CE-marked Class IIa medical device for the relief of acute diarrhoea and the diarrhoea, pain and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), for adults and children, and is stirred into water before taking. Sold by Ways Pharmacy (UK).
Key facts
| Type | Medical device (CE-marked, Class IIa) – oral intestinal adsorbent gel; not a drug |
|---|---|
| Composition | Polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate (organic mineral) and purified water |
| Use | Relief of acute diarrhoea (including traveller's diarrhoea and gastroenteritis) and of IBS with diarrhoea – pain, bloating, urgency and loose stools |
| How it works | Binds harmful substances in the gut and carries them out with the stool; not absorbed into the bloodstream |
| Age | Adults and children, including babies (see the leaflet for the dose for each age group) |
| Typical dose | Adults and children 15 years and over: 15–22.5g (1 to 1½ tablespoons, or 1 to 1½ sachets) stirred into about 200ml of water, 3 times a day; children 7–14: 10g; 1–6: 5g; under 1 year: 2.5g – each 3 times a day, see leaflet |
| Free from | Gluten, lactose, sugar, sweeteners, preservatives, flavours and colours; tasteless; suitable for vegans and vegetarians |
| Pack | 90g tube, or 10 sachets of 15g (150g) |
| Storage | Room temperature (4–30°C), away from direct sunlight; do not freeze. Use an opened tube within 30 days |
Who it is for
- Adults and children with short-term (acute) diarrhoea, including when travelling.
- People with IBS who have diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating or urgency as their main symptoms.
- Families who want a drug-free option: the manufacturer states it can be used from birth and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Not suitable for: Do not use if you have intestinal obstruction or intestinal atony (a bowel that has stopped moving), or if you are taking modified-release oral medicines. Diarrhoea in babies and young children, diarrhoea lasting more than a few days, blood in the stool, high fever or signs of dehydration need a doctor or pharmacist rather than self-treatment.
How to use
- Read the Information for Use leaflet supplied in the pack before use.
- Shake the tube (or knead the sachet) before each use.
- Measure the dose for your age group and stir it into room-temperature water or oral rehydration solution until dispersed, then drink.
- Take Enterosgel 1 to 2 hours before or after food, and 2 hours apart from any other oral medicines, because it can also bind them.
- Acute diarrhoea: the manufacturer advises continuing 1 to 3 doses a day for 3 to 4 days until stools return to normal. IBS-D: 2 to 3 doses a day for 2 to 3 weeks, then adjust to your symptoms.
- Drink plenty of fluids while you have diarrhoea. See a doctor if it does not settle.
Frequently asked questions
Is Enterosgel a medicine?
No. It is a CE-marked Class IIa medical device that works physically in the gut by binding harmful substances and carrying them out with the stool. It contains no drug and is not absorbed into the body.
Can children take Enterosgel?
Yes. The manufacturer gives doses from birth upwards – for example 2.5g (half a teaspoon) for babies under 1 year and 5g (one teaspoon) for children aged 1 to 6, each three times a day. Follow the leaflet, and see a doctor if a baby or young child has diarrhoea that does not settle quickly.
Can I take it with my other medicines?
Leave a 2-hour gap either side of other oral medicines, because Enterosgel can bind them in the gut and reduce how much is absorbed. Do not use it if you take modified-release oral medicines.
How long can I use it for?
For acute diarrhoea, usually 3 to 4 days until your stools are normal. For IBS with diarrhoea the manufacturer suggests 2 to 3 weeks, then adjusting the dose to your symptoms. If diarrhoea persists, see a doctor.
What is the difference between the tube and the sachets?
The gel is the same. The 90g tube is measured by the spoonful; the 15g sachets are single adult doses that are easier to carry when travelling.
Does it taste of anything?
No. Enterosgel is tasteless and odourless, and it is free from gluten, lactose, sugar, sweeteners and preservatives.
Safety and storage
- Uncommon side effects reported by the manufacturer are constipation and nausea.
- Not a substitute for rehydration – keep drinking fluids during diarrhoea.
- Store at 4–30°C away from direct sunlight; do not freeze. Use an opened tube within 30 days.
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
- Report any problem with this product through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
This is a medical device, not a medicine. Always follow the instructions supplied with the product. If diarrhoea persists or you are unsure, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
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