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Picoconda® – Bowel Preparation for use in Gastrointestinal Tract Procedures
Investigation of gastrointestinal tract disorders is performed by gastroenterologists, surgeons and other clinicians, generally using x-rays such as barium enema or barium meal tests or endoscopic procedures such as gastroscopy, colonoscopy or virtual colonography.The use of colonoscopic surveillance has increased significantly in recent times as an effective method for detecting colonic polyps and bowel cancer. The key to a successful procedure is a clean bowel that allows for a clear view of the GI tract. Preparation of the bowel has been the most poorly tolerated aspect of colonoscopic procedures. Conventional bowel preparations are generally powders dissolved in large volumes of liquid. The key problems with the standard bowel preparation for patients are the volume of the preparation that needs to be consumed, its unpalatability and the effects of purgative solutions administered on the day prior to the procedure, which include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache. This has led to poor patient compliance with the standard pre-screening bowel preparations which in turn leads to a poor cleansing result.
Picoconda®
Giaconda seeks to provide a product that will be acceptable to both doctors and patients. In collaboration with Pharmatel, a Sydney-based pharmaceutical company, Giaconda has developed a new preparation in the form of a capsule which avoids patient exposure to the often unacceptable taste of current products and allows for an unobstructed procedure. This preparation, Picoconda®, contains picosulphate, a stimulant laxative used to empty the bowel prior to colonoscopy, bowel surgery, barium enema radiology or virtual colonography.
A recent comparative Phase II clinical study investigated the use of a hypertonic salt solution with Picoconda®, Picoconda® capsules alone, Glycoprep and standard Picosulphate preparations. The combination of a hypertonic salt solution and Picoconda capsules aimed to reduce the side effect profile by reducing gas, bloating, nausea and headaches. The trial found that Picoconda® capsules, with or without a hypertonic solution were found to be the most favoured bowel preparation by patients and in general, resulted in a lower number of mild adverse events than Glycoprep or standard Picosulphate preparations.
USEFUL LINKS
Please note that Giaconda has no control over the information provided on these sites and is not responsible for the accuracy or otherwise of any information contained on them. If any of the links are no longer working, please notify us.
http://www.askasge.org/pages/tech/nt_colonoscopy.cfm
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