Yury Trafimovich
Laxatives are medicines that help people have a bowel movement if they are constipated. They can be bought over the counter in pharmacies, grocery stores, and online, and are available in many forms, including pills, capsules, liquids, suppositories, and enemas. Laxatives work by softening hard stools or stimulating the bowels to get moving. They can be used to treat occasional or short-term constipation, but long-term use can cause side effects and worsen constipation.
One type of laxative is a bulk-forming laxative or fiber supplement. These laxatives add soluble fiber to the stool, which draws water from the body into the stool, making it bigger and softer. This stimulates the colon to contract and push out the stool. Bulk-forming laxatives are generally considered gentle and are the least likely to cause side effects. They are often recommended as the first type of laxative to try.
Examples of bulk-forming laxatives include psyllium (Metamucil), polycarbophil (FiberCon), and methylcellulose (Citrucel). These are available as capsules, powders, or wafers and should be taken with a full glass of water or other liquid to prevent choking. It may take 1 to 3 days for these laxatives to start working.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Laxatives are medicines that help treat constipation by softening hard stools or stimulating bowel movement. |
| Types | Bulk-forming laxatives, osmotics, stool softeners, lubricants, and stimulants. |
| Availability | Over-the-counter or prescription. |
| Use | Taken as directed to prevent side effects like bloating, gas, or stomach cramps. Laxatives are not safe for everyone, including pregnant women and children. |
| Mechanism | Laxatives make stools softer and stimulate the muscles in the colon to move the stool along. |
| Forms | Pills, capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, suppositories, and enemas. |
| Timing | Effects can range from 15 minutes to a few days, depending on the type of laxative. |
| Side Effects | Dehydration, bloating, gas, stomach cramps, electrolyte imbalance, chronic constipation, and intestinal blockage. |
| Prevention | Drinking enough water, eating high-fiber foods, taking probiotics, and exercising. |
| Brands | Metamucil, Citrucel, Colace, Dulcolax, Milk of Magnesia, Gavilax, MiraLAX, Colace Glycerin, Fleet Pedia-Lax, Fletcher's Laxative, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Bulk-forming laxatives
Benefits
Side Effects
Examples
Common bulk-forming laxatives include psyllium (Metamucil), polycarbophil (FiberCon), and methylcellulose (Citrucel). Other examples are Fybogel (ispaghula husk) and calcium polycarbophil (Equalactin, Fibercon).
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Osmotic laxatives
Examples of osmotic laxatives include:
- Polyethylene glycol (Gavilax, MiraLAX)
- Magnesium hydroxide solution (Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, Phillips' Milk of Magnesia)
- Glycerin (Colace Glycerin, Fleet Pedia-Lax)
- Lactulose (Duphalac, Lactugal)
- Macrogol (Movicol, Laxido, CosmoCol, Molaxole, Molative)
- Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
- Senna (Senokot)
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Stool softeners
Side effects of stool softeners may include stomach pain, nausea, throat irritation, and diarrhea. If you experience any severe side effects, such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, or if your symptoms persist after one week, consult your doctor.
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Lubricant laxatives
When taken orally, lubricant laxatives can cause side effects such as anal seepage, pruritus ani (an intense itch around the anus), perianal discomfort, and intestinal malabsorption. It is important to note that lubricant laxatives can also decrease the absorption of certain vitamins and medications, so they should be taken at least two hours apart from other medications. They are not recommended for long-term use as they can absorb fat-soluble vitamins from the intestine and interfere with the absorption of certain prescription drugs.
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Stimulant laxatives
While stimulant laxatives can be effective, they should not be used daily or regularly. Overuse of stimulant laxatives may lead to laxative dependency and weaken the body's natural ability to defecate. They may also cause side effects such as cramping and diarrhea. It is recommended to use them only when other over-the-counter laxatives have not provided relief.
It is important to follow the directions on the label when using stimulant laxatives and not to exceed the recommended dosage. Additionally, stimulant laxatives should not be used for more than a week unless specifically advised by a doctor. Before using this type of laxative, individuals should consult their doctor, especially if they have any current health conditions, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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Frequently asked questions
Laxatives are medicines that help treat constipation by softening hard stools or stimulating bowel movement.
The common types of laxatives include bulk-forming laxatives, osmotics, stool softeners, lubricants, and stimulants.
Bulk-forming laxatives, also known as fiber supplements, add soluble fiber to the stool, drawing water from the body and making it bigger and softer. This stimulates the colon to contract and push out the stool.
Examples of bulk-forming laxatives include Metamucil (psyllium), FiberCon (polycarbophil), and Citrucel (methylcellulose).
Yes, natural laxatives include chia seeds, berries, legumes, flaxseeds, kefir, castor oil, leafy greens, apples, rhubarb, oat bran, prunes, kiwi, and more.
