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Updated by	Olivia Appleton
Role	Medical Content Writer
Updated on	25/02/2020
Next review	24/02/2022

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What is Fleet Cleen Enema?

Fleet Cleen is a Ready-to-Use bowel cleanser that you administer yourself. It is used for the relief of occasional constipation through drawing water to the colon which helps to produce a bowel movement. This product can also be used when bowel cleaning is required, e.g. before an endoscopy, bowel surgery or X-ray examination.

What is an enema?

Enemas are used to clean the lower half of your bowel by stimulating stool (faeces) evacuation. It is a liquid treatment that is commonly used to relieve severe constipation or to clear the bowel before a procedure such as an endoscopy or surgery. It helps to push waste out of the rectum when you are unable to do this on your own. Cleansing enemas, such as Fleet Cleen are the most common for relieving symptoms of constipation. During a cleansing enema, a water-based solution with a small concentration of stool softener is used to stimulate movement within the large intestine.

What is constipation?

Constipation is a common health condition that can affect people of all ages. It affects your bowel movements and your ability to pass stool (faeces).

Symptoms

Symptoms of constipation include:

• Not passing stools regularly
• Unable to empty your bowel
• Hard and lumpy stools
• Unusually large or small stools

The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person. In most cases, constipation is only experienced short-term, but for others, constipation can be a long-term (chronic) condition that can cause significant discomfort and have the potential to affect a person’s quality of life

Causes

Identifying the cause of constipation can often be difficult, but it typically occurs when stools remain in the colon (large intestine) for too long and the colon absorbs too much water from the stools which cause them to become hard and dry. Although the exact cause isn’t always clear, several factors can increase your chances of having constipation, including:

• Not including enough fibre in your diet e.g. fruits, vegetables and cereals
• A change in your routine or lifestyle, such as a change in eating habits
• Having limited privacy when going to the toilet
• Ignoring the urge to pass stools (have a poo)
• Immobility or lack of exercise
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Having a fever
• Being underweight or overweight
• Mental health problems such as anxiety or depression
• Psychiatric problems, such as those brought on by trauma

How does Fleet Cleen Enema work?

Fleet Cleen is a type of Saline Laxative. Saline Laxatives draw water into the colon to soften stools to increase bowel action and produce a bowel movement. This can help to move stools that are hard, dry and difficult to pass or to help clear your bowels before a procedure.

How to use Fleet Cleen

1. Washy your hands before handling this product and if possible, use disposable gloves.
2. Lie on your left side with both knees bent and your arms at rest in front of you
3. Remove the orange protective shield- pull the shield gently while holding the bottle upright and grasping the grooved bottle cap with your fingers
4. With steady pressure, gently insert the enema Comfortip into the rectum with the tip pointing towards your navel
5. Squeeze the bottle until nearly all the liquid has been emptied
6. Gently remove the nozzle from your rectum. It is normal to experience some leakage of the enema liquid.
7. Remain in the same position until the urge to evacuate your bowels is strong- usually within 2 to 5 minutes.
8. Return the used enema to the carton for disposal and wash your hands

 If any resistance is encounters- discontinue use. Forcing an enema can result in an injury.

NOTE: it isn’t necessary to empty the unit. The bottle contains more than the amount of liquid needed for effective use, so a small residue will remain.

Warnings

• Always use this medicine exactly as described by the included leaflet or your doctor or a Chemist 4 U pharmacist
• If you are unsure about how to use this product, speak with your doctor or a Chemist 4 U pharmacist
• See product leaflet for dosage.
• This product is for rectal use only
• This product should not be used for more than one week unless directed by your doctor
• Administration of more than one enema in 24 hours can be harmful.
• If you use more Cleen Enema than you should or if you accidentally drink the medicine, talk to a doctor or a Chemist 4 U pharmacist immediately.

What to expect when using this product

Be prepared for frequent loose bowel movements within 5 minutes of taking a dose of Cleen Enema. This shows that the medicine is working and is perfectly normal. If you haven’t had a bowel movement within this time, consult your GP. Do NOT use any more of this product unless instructed to do so by your doctor. Remain near a toilet until the effects have worn off.

Drink plenty of clear fluids such as:

• Water
• Clear soups
• Herbal tea
• Black tea or black coffee
• Diluted cordials/fruit juice without pulp (NO RED OR PURPLE COLOURED JUICES)

As a general rule, you should drink 250ml every hour until the effect of the enema has worn off.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or a Chemist 4 U pharmacist BEFORE taking this product.

The main ingredients in this product may pass into breast milk, it is advised that breast milk is expressed and discarded for at least 24 hours after receiving the Cleen Enema.

Driving and operating machinery

There are no direct effects of this product on your ability to drive or operate machinery, but you should remain near toilet facilities after using this medicine.

When NOT to use this product

Do NOT use this product and tell your doctor if you:

• Are allergic to any of the ingredients that are used in this medicine (see ingredients tab for full list).
• Have a swollen large bowel
• Have a narrowing or incomplete opening of the anus or rectum
• Have a blockage of the lower colon
• Have a suspected blockage of the gut
• Have a blockage of the gut or failure of normal bowel movements (sometimes called paralytic ileus)
• Have been told by your doctor that you may have appendicitis, a pierced/damaged/blocked gut or active inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Have undiagnosed bleeding of the back passage
• Have kidney problems
• Have congestive heart failure (your heart is unable to properly pump blood around the body)
• Have recently been sick or feel sick or thirsty
• Have pain in your stomach
• The patient is under 3 years of age

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Cleen Enema if:

• You are frail or elderly- you may need assistance from a carer or healthcare professional to use this product
• You have uncontrolled blood pressure
• You have a heart or kidney condition
• You suffer from ascites (excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity)
• You suffer from rectal ulceration or fissures
• You have had a colostomy
• You suffer from electrolyte disturbances

Using this product with other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines especially:

• Medicines for the treatment of high blood pressure, such as ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers or angina treatment
• Diuretics (medicines to empty the bladder)
• Certain medicines for mental disorders (lithium)
• Any other medicines that could make you dehydrated or alter the salt levels in your body, known as your electrolyte balance
• Certain medicines for cleaning the bowel (sodium phosphates)
• Medicine that alter the rhythm of your heart
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin

Side Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects although not everyone may experience them. Cleen Enema may very rarely cause:

• Hypersensitivity- allergic reactions (with or without a rash).
• Dehydration
• Muscle twitches and spasms due to changes in the amounts of salts in the blood
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Gastrointestinal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Anal itching, stinging, pain or discomfort
• Blisters
• Diarrhoea
• Chills

Ingredients

Active substances: Each 118ml dose delivers the equivalent of 21.4g (18.1% w/v) Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate Dihydrate and 9.4g (8.0% w/v) Disodium phosphate Dodecahydrate.

Contains 4.4g sodium per delivered dose.

The other ingredients (excipients) are Benzalkonium Chloride, Disodium Edetate, Purified Water.

The nozzle lubricant is white soft paraffin.

Contains 80mg benzalkonium chloride per delivered dose.

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist 4 U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

Helpful Advice on Medication Restrictions & Addiction

For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.

If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:

• NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction
• Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support