Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking cardiac medications such as cardiac glycosides or antiarrhythmic drugs, thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, licorice root, or other drugs or health products that may aggravate electrolyte imbalance; or if you have a kidney disorder, fecal impaction, or symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or fever; or if you have liver disease, stomach ulcers, or inflammation. Reduce dose or discontinue use if abdominal pain, cramps, spasms or diarrhea occur. Call a Poison Control Centre immediately in case of overdose or accidental ingestion.
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; if you suffer from abnormal constrictions of the gastrointestinal tract, potential or existing intestinal blockage, lazy bowel, appendicitis, inflammatory disease of the colon such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, abdominal pain of unknown origin, undiagnosed rectal bleeding, severe dehydration with depletion of water or electrolytes, or diarrhea; hypokalemia, hypertension, cardiovascular or renal disease; or arthritis. Not recommended for people with weak stomachs or in the absence of constipation.
Discontinue use in case of hypersensitivity/allergy. In case of use or abuse, disturbances of electrolyte balance - particularly potassium deficiency, albuminuria and hematuria - may occur; rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after laxative use may indicate a serious condition. May cause cramp-like discomfort of the gastrointestinal tract, which may necessitate a reduction in dosage. Rhubarb's astringent effect may exacerbate, rather than relieve, symptoms of constipation.
