
Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They are available over the counter and on prescription. While they can be effective in relieving constipation, they should only be used occasionally and for up to a week at a time. It is important to carefully read the instructions and not exceed the recommended dose, as this can lead to harmful side effects. The frequency of laxative use depends on the type and the individual's bowel habits. Some people may need to move their bowels two to three times a day, while others may go two to three times a week. It is recommended to start with lifestyle changes, such as increasing fibre intake, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising regularly, before resorting to laxatives.
Characteristics | Values |
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How often to take laxatives | Laxatives should be taken occasionally and for up to a week at a time. Ideally, they should only be used when constipation persists after making lifestyle changes such as increasing water intake, exercising regularly, and including more fibre in the diet. |
When to stop taking laxatives | Stop taking laxatives when your constipation improves. If constipation persists after taking laxatives for a week, consult a doctor. |
Who should not take laxatives | Laxatives are not suitable for children unless advised by a doctor. They are also not recommended for people with certain health conditions, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. |
Types of laxatives | Bulk-forming, osmotic, stimulant, stool softener, lubricant, emollient, hyperosmolar, prescription, saline, and prokinetic laxatives. |
How laxatives work | Laxatives contain chemicals that help increase stool motility, bulk, and frequency, thereby relieving temporary constipation. |
How to take laxatives | Laxatives can be taken by mouth in the form of liquids, tablets, or capsules, or through the rectum using suppositories or enemas. |
Side effects of laxatives | Common side effects include dehydration, abdominal cramps, and bloating. Excessive or prolonged use can lead to diarrhoea, intestinal obstruction, and electrolyte imbalances. |
What You'll Learn
Laxatives should be used sparingly and occasionally
Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation and help empty your bowels. They are available over the counter without a prescription, but they should be used sparingly and occasionally. This is because overuse of laxatives can lead to several health issues.
Firstly, laxatives are not a long-term solution to constipation. They are designed to be used occasionally and for short periods. If your constipation has not improved after a week of taking laxatives, you should consult a doctor. It is recommended that you stop taking laxatives when your constipation improves and instead make certain lifestyle changes, such as drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and including more fibre in your diet. These measures are a better way of preventing constipation than excessive laxative use.
Secondly, laxatives can cause side effects, and overuse can lead to more serious problems. Common side effects include abdominal cramps, dehydration, and flatulence. Excessive or prolonged use of laxatives can also cause diarrhoea, intestinal obstruction, and unbalanced levels of salts and minerals in the body. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommended dosage and not exceed it.
Thirdly, laxatives are not suitable for everyone. They are not usually recommended for children unless advised by a doctor. Some types of laxatives may be unsafe for people with certain health conditions, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. It is important to carefully read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication to ensure it is safe for you to take.
Finally, laxatives can interact with other medications. For example, fibre can reduce the body's absorption of some drugs, so it is recommended to take your medications at least one hour before or two hours after consuming fibre. Mineral oil, a common ingredient in lubricant laxatives, can also interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins and prescription drugs. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking laxatives if you are already taking other medications.
In conclusion, laxatives should be used sparingly and occasionally. They are not a long-term solution to constipation and can cause side effects and health issues if overused. It is important to follow the recommended dosage, ensure they are suitable for your individual circumstances, and be aware of any potential interactions with other medications.
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They are available over the counter and on prescription
Laxatives are available over the counter and on prescription. They are a type of medicine that can help treat constipation and are widely used when lifestyle changes, such as increasing fibre intake, drinking more fluids, and exercising, have not helped.
Laxatives can be purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets without a prescription. The main types of laxatives available over the counter include:
- Bulk-forming laxatives: These increase the bulk or weight of stools by retaining fluid, encouraging the bowels to push out the stools. Examples include ispaghula husk and methylcellulose. They usually take 2-3 days to work.
- Osmotic laxatives: These soften stools by increasing the amount of water in the bowels. Examples include lactulose and polyethylene glycol. They also take 2-3 days to work.
- Stimulant laxatives: These speed up bowel movement by stimulating the nerves that control the muscles lining the digestive tract. Examples include bisacodyl, senna, and sodium picosulfate. They usually have an effect within 6-12 hours.
- Stool softener laxatives: These increase the fluid content of hard, dry stools, making them easier to pass. Examples include arachis oil and docusate sodium.
It is important to note that laxatives are not suitable for everyone. They are usually not recommended for children unless advised by a doctor. Some types of laxatives may be unsafe for individuals with certain health conditions, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Before taking laxatives, it is essential to read the patient information leaflet to ensure they are safe for you.
Laxatives are also available on prescription from a doctor. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a laxative to be used regularly, but this should be supervised by a GP or a gastroenterologist. Prescription laxatives include:
- Guanylate cyclase-C agonist laxatives: These change stool consistency by increasing water content and gastrointestinal movement. An example is Plecanatide (Trulance), which is prescribed for chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.
- Linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone (Amitiza): These work by drawing water into the intestines and speeding up stool movement. Amitiza is only approved for women.
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They can be taken orally or rectally
Laxatives are available in many forms, including tablets, capsules, liquids, suppositories, and enemas. They can be taken orally or rectally.
Oral laxatives include tablets, capsules, and liquids. These are swallowed or drunk. Tablets and capsules are convenient and discreet, but some people may find them difficult to swallow. Liquids are easy to take but may not be as portable or discreet as tablets or capsules.
Rectal laxatives include suppositories and enemas. Suppositories are capsules that are inserted into the rectum, where they dissolve. Enemas are liquids or gels that are squirted into the rectum. These types of laxatives are less convenient and pleasant than oral options but often provide faster relief from constipation.
It's important to follow the instructions for taking laxatives and to take the correct dosage. Laxatives should only be used occasionally and for a short period, such as up to a week. They are not recommended for long-term use or as a daily treatment for constipation. If you need to use laxatives regularly, consult a doctor, as this may indicate an underlying medical condition.
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There are four main types of laxatives
Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They are available over the counter in pharmacies and supermarkets, and on prescription from a doctor. They are meant to be used occasionally and for up to a week at a time. If your constipation does not improve after a week of using laxatives, you should consult a doctor.
Bulk-forming laxatives
Bulk-forming laxatives work by increasing the bulk or weight of the stool, which stimulates the bowel. They take 2-3 days to work and are considered the gentlest and safest option. They are also the best laxative to try first. Bulk-forming laxatives include Fybogel (ispaghula husk), psyllium (Metamucil), and methylcellulose (Citrucel).
Osmotic laxatives
Osmotic laxatives draw water from the rest of the body into the bowel, softening the stool and making it easier to pass. They also stimulate the muscles lining the gut, helping to move the stool along. Osmotic laxatives take 2-3 days to work. Examples include lactulose (Duphalac, Lactugal), macrogol (Movicol, Laxido, CosmoCol, Molaxole, Molative), and polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX), Gavilax.
Poo-softener laxatives
Also known as emollient laxatives or stool softeners, this type of laxative lets water into the stool to soften it and make it easier to pass. They can be in capsule, tablet, liquid, or syrup form and are usually taken at bedtime. An example of a poo-softener laxative is Colace (docusate).
Stimulant laxatives
Stimulant laxatives stimulate the lining of the intestine, accelerating the stool's journey through the colon. They also increase the hydration of the stool. They are meant to be used occasionally and not regularly, as they may weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and cause laxative dependency. Examples of stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax, Feen-a-Mint, and Ex-Lax), and sennosides (Senokot, Ex-Lax, and Fletcher's Laxative).
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They can have side effects, including dehydration
Laxatives are a type of medicine that can treat constipation. They are available over the counter and on prescription. While they can be effective, they can also have side effects, including dehydration.
Bulk-forming laxatives, for example, work by increasing the bulk or weight of faeces, which stimulates the bowel. Osmotic laxatives draw water from the body into the bowel to soften faeces and make it easier to pass. Both types of laxative can cause dehydration if not taken with enough water. Dehydration can make you feel lightheaded, give you headaches, and cause darker-coloured urine.
Laxatives can also cause diarrhoea, which can further contribute to dehydration and lead to an electrolyte imbalance. This can be especially dangerous in paediatric patients, who are at risk of severe dehydration.
To avoid dehydration, it is important to drink plenty of fluids when taking laxatives, especially bulk-forming or osmotic laxatives. It is also recommended that you only take laxatives occasionally and for up to a week at a time, stopping once your constipation improves. If your constipation does not improve, or if you experience side effects, you should consult a doctor.
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Frequently asked questions
Laxatives should only be taken occasionally and for up to a week at a time. Stop taking them as soon as your constipation improves.
No, do not take laxatives every day. This can be harmful and cause side effects.
If your constipation has not improved after taking laxatives for a week, speak to a doctor.
Some natural alternatives to laxatives include increasing your daily intake of fibre, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly.
Taking laxatives too often or for too long can cause diarrhoea, intestinal obstruction, and an imbalance of salts and minerals in your body.