Sorbitol Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 15, 2024.
Applies to sorbitol: oral liquid.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
A laxative may be habit forming and should be used only until your bowel habits return to normal. Never share sorbitol with another person, especially someone with a history of eating disorder. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication if you have an allergy, if your bowel habits have changed suddenly in the past 2 weeks, or if you have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain that has not been checked by a doctor.
Avoid taking other laxatives or stool softeners unless your doctor tells you to.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking sorbitol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using sorbitol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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severe stomach cramps;
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vomiting;
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severe diarrhea;
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rectal bleeding;
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black, bloody, or tarry stools;
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weakness, dizziness; or
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frequent urge to have a bowel movement.
Less serious side effects of sorbitol may include:
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gas, mild nausea or stomach cramps; or
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rectal irritation.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
See also:
For healthcare professionals
Applies to sorbitol: compounding powder, irrigation solution, oral liquid, rectal enema.
Gastrointestinal adverse events
Gastrointestinal side effects have included sudden severe abdominal bloating, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and osmotic diarrhea.[Ref]
Metabolic
Metabolic side effects have included reports of hypernatremia. These reports have primarily been associated with multiple administrations of activated charcoal sorbitol preparations.[Ref]
One case study describes a 37-year-old patient who presented with phencyclidine intoxication. The patient was given four doses of activated charcoal in sorbitol and 1 dose of magnesium citrate over a 12-hour period of time. Lab results showed an increase in the serum sodium from 138 mmol/L to 165 mmol/L. The hypernatremia continued to worsen after the magnesium citrate was discontinued. It was felt that the increase was due to the repeated sorbitol administration. Other adult cases of hypernatremia secondary to activated charcoal-sorbitol regimens have been reported in the literature.[Ref]
References
1. Henley E (1997) "Sorbitol-based elixirs, diarrhea and enteral tube feeding [letter]." Am Fam Physician, 55, 2084,2086
2. Johnston KR, Govel LA, Andritz MH (1994) "Gastrointestinal effects of sorbitol as an additive in liquid medications." Am J Med, 97, p. 185-91
3. Kneepkens CM, Hoekstra JH (1993) "Fruit juice and chronic nonspecific diarrhea [letter; comment]." J Pediatr, 122, p. 499
4. Breitenbach RA (1992) "'Halloween diarrhea'. An unexpected trick of sorbitol-containing candy." Postgrad Med, 92, p. 63-6
5. Jessen LM, Barone JA (1992) "Ready-mix charcoal/sorbitol [letter; comment]." Ann Emerg Med, 21, p. 110-1
6. McNamara RM, Aaron CK, Gemborys M, Davidheiser S (1988) "Sorbitol catharsis does not enhance efficacy of charcoal in a simulated acetaminophen overdose." Ann Emerg Med, 17, p. 243-6
7. Krenzelok E (1987) "Sorbitol--a safe and effective cathartic [letter]." Ann Emerg Med, 16, p. 729-30
8. Wax PM, Wang RY, Hoffman RS, Mercurio M, Howland MA, Goldfrank LR (1993) "Prevalence of sorbitol in multiple-dose activated charcoal regimens in emergency departments." Ann Emerg Med, 22, p. 1807-12
9. Payne ML, Craig WJ, Williams AC (1997) "Sorbitol is a possible risk factor for diarrhea in young children [published erratum appears in J Am Diet Assoc 1997 Oct;97(10):1090." J Am Diet Assoc, 97, p. 532-4
10. James LP, Nichols MH, King WD (1995) "A comparison of cathartics in pediatric ingestions." Pediatrics, 96, p. 235-8
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Further information
Sorbitol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.