Editing Sorbitol (section)

===Medical applications===

====Laxative====
As is the case with other [[sugar alcohol]]s, foods containing sorbitol can cause [[Gastrointestinal disease|gastrointestinal distress]]. Sorbitol can be used as a [[laxative]] when taken orally or as an [[enema]].<ref name=drugs/> Sorbitol works as a laxative by drawing water into the [[large intestine]], stimulating [[bowel movements]].<ref name=drugs/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CDG/content/CDG_sorbitol.asp |publisher=American Cancer Society |work= Cancer Drug Guide|title=sorbitol|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630001051/http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CDG/content/CDG_sorbitol.asp |archive-date=2007-06-30 }}</ref>  Sorbitol has been determined safe for use by the elderly, although it is not recommended without the advice of a physician.<ref name=drugs/><ref>{{cite journal | pmid= 7663066 | year= 1995 | last1= Lederle | first1= FA | title= Epidemiology of constipation in elderly patients. Drug utilisation and cost-containment strategies | volume= 6 | issue= 6 | pages= 465–9 | journal= Drugs & Aging | doi=10.2165/00002512-199506060-00006| s2cid= 43386314 }}</ref> 

Sorbitol is commonly used orally as a one-time dose of {{convert|30|-|150|ml}} 70% solution.<ref name=drugs/> It may also be used as a one-time [[rectum|rectal]] enema.<ref name=drugs/>

====Other medical applications====
Sorbitol is used in bacterial culture media to distinguish the pathogenic [[Escherichia coli O157:H7|''Escherichia coli'' O157:H7]] from most other strains of ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'', because it is usually unable to ferment sorbitol, unlike 93% of known ''E. coli'' strains.<ref name=wells_1983_101>{{cite journal |vauthors=Wells JG, Davis BR, Wachsmuth IK, etal |title=Laboratory investigation of hemorrhagic colitis outbreaks associated with a rare Escherichia coli serotype|journal=Journal of Clinical Microbiology|volume=18|issue=3|pages=512–20| date=September 1983 |pmid=6355145|pmc=270845|doi=10.1128/JCM.18.3.512-520.1983|quote=The organism does not ferment sorbitol; whereas 93% of E. coli of human origin are sorbitol positive}}</ref>

A treatment for [[Hyperkalemia|hyperkalaemia]] (elevated blood [[potassium]]) uses sorbitol and the [[ion-exchange]] resin [[sodium polystyrene sulfonate]] (tradename Kayexalate).<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Rugolotto S, Gruber M, Solano PD, Chini L, Gobbo S, Pecori S |title=Necrotizing enterocolitis in a 850 gram infant receiving sorbitol-free sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate): clinical and histopathologic findings |journal=J Perinatol |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=247–9 | date=April 2007 |pmid=17377608 |doi=10.1038/sj.jp.7211677 |doi-access=free }}</ref>  The resin exchanges sodium ions for potassium ions in the bowel, while sorbitol helps to eliminate it. In 2010, the U.S. [[FDA]] issued a warning of increased risk for gastrointestinal necrosis with this combination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ucm186845.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104011812/http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ucm186845.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2009|title=Kayexalate (sodium polystyrene sulfonate) powder|work=fda.gov|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref>

Sorbitol is also used in the manufacture of [[softgel|softgel capsule]]s to store single doses of liquid medicines.<ref name="Catalent Softgel website">{{cite web|url=http://www.catalent.com/offerings/drug-delivery/drug-delivery-oral/softgel-technology|title=Home – Catalent|work=catalent.com|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref>