
Fletcher's Laxative, now known as Fletcher's Laxative for Kids, is an oral syrup containing a stimulant laxative and ingredients to soothe the stomach. It is a product of The Mentholatum Company, Inc. and was originally patented in 1868 by Dr. Samuel Pitcher. The product has since been reformulated and is now marketed towards children, although it is still effective for adults. Fletcher's Laxative generally causes bowel movements in 6 to 12 hours and has received positive reviews for its performance, taste, and ease of use.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Product name | Fletcher's Laxative, Fletcher's Laxative for Kids, Fletcher's Castoria |
Manufacturer | The Mentholatum Company, Inc. |
Active ingredient | Senna |
Other ingredients | Citric acid, flavour, glycerin, methylparaben, propylparaben, purified water, sodium benzoate, sucrose, lanolin oil, hydrogenated polyisobutene, ozokerite, oleyl alcohol, VP/hexadecene copolymer, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, mineral oil, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, cetyl lactate, polyethylene, paraffin, ammonium glycyrrhizate, BHT, bismuth oxychloride, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, menthol, tocopheryl acetate [vitamin E], carmine, mica, titanium dioxide, maltodextrin, sodium bicarbonate, essence of wintergreen, dandelion, sugar, water |
Dosage | Children 6 to 15 years: 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls 1 to 2 times daily. Children 2 to under 6 years: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls 1 to 2 times daily. Children under 2 years: Ask a doctor. |
Effectiveness | Generally causes bowel movements in 6 to 12 hours. |
Taste | Root beer |
Side effects | No known drug interactions, although it may affect how long a medicine remains in the digestive tract. |
Customer reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com (3,492 ratings). |
What You'll Learn
Fletcher's Laxative is a syrup
Fletcher's Laxative is an oral syrup containing a stimulant laxative and ingredients to soothe the stomach. It is a product of The Mentholatum Company, Inc. and was originally patented in 1868 as a cathartic composed of senna, sodium bicarbonate, essence of wintergreen, dandelion, sugar and water.
Fletcher's Laxative is now marketed as a children's laxative in the US, but it is effective for adults too. It is available in 2.5-ounce and 3.25-ounce bottles and provides relief from constipation in 6 to 12 hours. The product has natural ingredients and a familiar root beer flavour, which makes it appealing to both kids and adults.
The laxative has received positive reviews from customers, who mention that it works well, tastes good, and is gentle on the gastrointestinal system. It is also easy to administer to children due to its pleasant flavour.
Fletcher's Laxative contains senna pods, which are known to be gentler on the system than senna leaves. The active ingredient, senna, is a natural plant compound that has proven stimulant laxative activity. The syrup also contains purified water, sucrose, maltodextrin, glycerin, sodium benzoate, artificial flavour, methylparaben, citric acid, and propylparaben.
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It contains a stimulant laxative and soothing ingredients
Fletcher's Laxative, formerly known as Fletcher's Castoria, is an oral syrup that contains a blend of ingredients aimed at providing relief from constipation. The active laxative ingredient in the syrup is senna, which has a stimulating effect on the digestive system. In addition to senna, the formula includes a range of soothing ingredients to comfort the stomach.
Senna is a natural plant compound that has been used for centuries to relieve constipation. It contains sennosides, which are known to have a stimulating effect on the bowels. Fletcher's Laxative uses senna pods, which are considered gentler on the system than senna leaves. This makes the product suitable for both children and adults.
In addition to senna, Fletcher's Laxative also contains a variety of soothing ingredients, including purified water, sucrose, maltodextrin, glycerin, and sodium benzoate. These ingredients work together to provide a gentle and effective solution to constipation. The product also has a pleasant root beer taste, making it appealing to both kids and adults.
The laxative generally causes bowel movements within 6 to 12 hours of consumption. It is recommended to take 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls 1 to 2 times daily for children aged 6 to 15 years old. For children aged 2 to under 6 years, the recommended dosage is 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls 1 to 2 times daily. It is advised to consult a doctor for children under 2 years of age.
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It was originally patented in 1868
On May 12, 1868, the United States Patent Office granted a patent to Dr. Samuel Pitcher (1824-1907) of Barnstable, Massachusetts, for a cathartic composed of senna, sodium bicarbonate, essence of wintergreen, dandelion, sugar and water. The remedy was initially sold under the name Pitcher's Castoria.
Pitcher's Castoria was formulated as a cathartic syrup, containing a blend of senna, sodium bicarbonate, essence of wintergreen, dandelion, sugar, and water. The active ingredient, senna, is a well-known laxative, while the other components likely contributed to the flavour, consistency, and therapeutic properties of the syrup.
The patent for this original formula was granted in 1868, marking the beginning of the product's long history and its journey towards becoming a household name. The formula has since been modified, and the product has undergone several name changes, but its origins can be traced back to this patent in 1868.
The patent was a significant milestone, as it protected the invention and allowed for the commercialisation of the product. It also set the foundation for the product's future success and its place in the market as a trusted laxative. The patent ensured that Dr. Pitcher had the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the product, which was later acquired by Charles Henry Fletcher, who formed The Centaur Company in 1871 to purchase the rights to manufacture and distribute the product, renaming it Fletcher's Castoria.
The patent recognition and the subsequent commercialisation of the product laid the groundwork for its widespread distribution and advertising campaigns, which contributed to its enduring legacy.
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It's now marketed as a children's laxative
Fletcher's Laxative, now marketed as a children's laxative, was originally known as Fletcher's Castoria. It was first patented in 1868 as a cathartic composed of senna, sodium bicarbonate, essence of wintergreen, dandelion, sugar, and water. Over time, the formula has changed, and the product is now primarily marketed towards children.
Fletcher's Laxative is an oral syrup that contains a stimulant laxative and ingredients to soothe the stomach. The active laxative ingredient is senna, which has a stimulating effect on the digestive tract. The product also contains other ingredients such as citric acid, glycerin, purified water, and sucrose. It is recommended that you consult a doctor before use if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting, and to stop use and seek medical advice if you experience rectal bleeding or a lack of bowel movement after using the product.
The product is marketed towards children and is designed to provide gentle relief from occasional constipation. It generally causes bowel movements within 6 to 12 hours of consumption. It has a root beer flavor, which is appealing to both children and adults, making it easier to administer. The product has received positive reviews from customers, who appreciate its effectiveness, taste, and gentleness.
Fletcher's Laxative for Kids is manufactured by The Mentholatum Company, which acquired the rights to the product in 1984. The company was then purchased by the Japanese company Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. in 1988, which continues to operate it as a subsidiary.
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It's available in root beer flavour
Fletcher's Laxative is available in a familiar and pleasant root beer flavour, making it appealing to both kids and adults. The root beer taste disguises the flavour of the medicine, making it easier for parents to administer to their children without worrying about them avoiding it. Fletcher's Laxative in root beer flavour is available in 2.5-ounce bottles that come in packs of 3, as well as 3.25-ounce bottles.
The active ingredient in Fletcher's Laxative is natural senna, which has been used for centuries to provide gentle and effective relief from constipation. Senna contains natural plant compounds called sennosides, which have proven stimulant laxative activity. Fletcher's Laxative uses senna pods, which are known to be gentler on the system than senna leaves.
Fletcher's Laxative is safe for children ages 2 and up and generally causes bowel movements in 6 to 12 hours. It is recommended to take 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls 1 to 2 times daily for children 2 to under 6 years old, and 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls 1 to 2 times daily for children 6 to 15 years old. For children under 2 years old, it is advised to ask a doctor.
Customers who have purchased Fletcher's Laxative in root beer flavour have left positive reviews, mentioning that it works extremely well and tastes just like root beer. They also appreciate that it doesn't cause any discomfort and is easy to take. Some customers have noted that it works well for both children and adults.
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Frequently asked questions
Fletcher's Laxative, formerly known as Fletcher's Castoria, is an oral syrup containing a stimulant laxative and ingredients to soothe the stomach. It is a product of The Mentholatum Company, Inc.
Fletcher's Laxative contains natural Senna, which provides gentle and effective relief from occasional constipation. Senna contains natural plant compounds known as sennosides, which have proven stimulant laxative activity. Fletcher's Laxative generally causes bowel movements in 6 to 12 hours.
Fletcher's Laxative is marketed as a children's laxative in the US, but it is also effective for adults.
Fletcher's Laxative has a pleasant, classic root beer taste that is appealing to both kids and adults.