Laxative Purchase Age Requirements

In the UK, there are no legal age restrictions for buying medicines, including laxatives. However, over-the-counter laxatives for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years can only be supplied under the supervision of a pharmacist. This follows a safety review by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which found that long-term misuse of stimulant laxatives could lead to health issues such as electrolyte imbalances and cardiovascular problems. The MHRA also advised that laxatives should only be used for short-term, occasional constipation. It is always recommended to check with a healthcare professional before giving a laxative to a child, especially if they are an unweaned baby.

Laxatives for children under 6 months old

In the UK, there are no legal age restrictions for buying medicines. However, laxatives are not recommended for children younger than six months. If your baby is under six months old and you notice they haven't had a bowel movement in a while, contact a healthcare provider.

If your child is older than six months and is experiencing constipation, you may want to try making lifestyle changes before starting with a laxative. These changes include adding more water and fibre to their diet. If your child is not drinking enough water, their stools may become harder and more difficult to pass.

For infants, water can be replaced with small amounts of juice. For infants over three months, try one ounce of juice. For younger infants, you may be able to substitute half an ounce of water with juice. Be sure to talk with your child's healthcare provider before making any dietary substitutions.

Increasing fibre in your child's diet can also relieve constipation by helping to create larger and softer stools. Your child should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day to get the recommended daily amount of fibre. Excellent sources of fibre contain five grams or more in each serving, such as half a cup of peas, one cup of carrots, or one large pear.

If these changes aren't helping your child's constipation, a healthcare professional may recommend taking a laxative as an effective and easy solution to relieve constipation. When selecting a laxative for your child, consider how the laxative works as well as the form of delivery. For example, laxatives can be chewable, mixed in drinks, or given as a suppository.

Some laxatives are safer for long-term use than others. Osmotic laxatives, which work by drawing extra fluid into the colon to soften the stool, are usually safer for long-term use. Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) is the most commonly used osmotic laxative and is considered a first-choice laxative because it is tasteless and well-tolerated by children. It can be used in children older than six months of age. Lactulose is another type of osmotic laxative that is safe for all ages, including infants younger than six months.

Stimulant laxatives, such as Dulcolax, may cause dehydration, flatulence, and cramping, so they are usually reserved for older children and extreme cases. Lubricant laxatives can be helpful in cases of serious faecal impaction but should be avoided in infants and children with uncoordinated swallow. Rectal therapies, including suppositories and enemas, tend to produce results within minutes, but they are not meant for regular or long-term use.

Laxatives can be very dangerous for children and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Laxatives for children under 12 years old

There are no legal age restrictions for buying medicines. However, some retail outlets have their own policies that restrict the sale of medicines to children. It is always important to read the information leaflet inside the packaging to check whether a medicine is suitable for children. Some medicines should not be given to children. For example, aspirin should not be given to children under 16. You should always check the dosage instructions for children as they are usually different from those for adults.

Laxatives are available for children, but they should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. They are not always the best choice and can be potentially dangerous for children. They are intended to provide temporary relief for otherwise healthy children. Before giving your child a laxative, you should consult a healthcare provider.

There are several types of laxatives for children, including stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, lubricant laxatives, and stimulant laxatives. These can come in various forms, such as powder, gummies, chews, liquid, or a suppository. A healthcare professional can help determine the best type and form of laxative for each child based on their needs.

Some laxatives suitable for children include:

• Mommy’s Bliss Baby Constipation Ease Organic Constipation Support (recommended for infants 6 months and older)
• MiraLAX Mix-In Laxative Powder (suitable for children 1 year and older)
• Dulcolax Kids Soft Chews Saline Laxative (suitable for children 4 years and older)
• Pedia-Lax Laxative Liquid Glycerin Suppositories (suitable for children 2-5 years old)
• Colace Stimulant-Free Stool Softener Soft Gels (suitable for children 2 years and older)
• Fleet Children's Pedia-Lax Saline Laxative Chewable Tablets (suitable for children)

Laxatives for adolescents aged 12-17 years old

In the UK, there are no legal age restrictions for buying medicines, including laxatives. However, some retail outlets may have their own policies that restrict the sale of medicines to children. It is always important to read the information leaflet inside the packaging to check whether a medicine is suitable for children.

Laxatives are medications that can help treat constipation in adolescents aged 12-17. They are typically used when lifestyle changes, such as increasing water and fibre intake, are not sufficient. Constipation is characterised by having fewer than three bowel movements per week, hard and/or dry stools, and unusually large or difficult-to-pass stools. It is a common issue among children, and it can be addressed by making changes to their diet and bathroom routine.

There are several types of over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives that are considered safe for children and adolescents. Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax) is the first-choice treatment for constipation in children. It is a tasteless osmotic laxative that draws water into the stool to aid its movement through the colon. It is typically taken daily and can be used in children older than six months. However, it may take one to two days to see results. While Miralax is generally well-tolerated, it is important to note that overuse of osmotic laxatives may reduce or weaken the intestine's ability to contract, potentially worsening constipation or leading to dependence on the medication.

Other types of laxatives include lactulose, which is another osmotic laxative suitable for infants under six months of age. Bulking agents, such as psyllium (Metamucil) and calcium polycarbophil (Fibercon), are fibre supplements that increase water absorption in the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Stool softeners, such as docusate (Colace), also help to soften stools by increasing water and fat content, but they are not recommended for daily, long-term use. Stimulant laxatives, such as bisacodyl (Dulcolax), increase intestinal movement to stimulate bowel movements and usually take effect within six to eight hours. Lubricants, such as mineral oil, can be given orally or rectally and typically take one to two days to show results. They are commonly used in children over three years of age.

While laxatives can be beneficial for treating constipation, it is important to be aware of potential side effects. Common side effects include worsening constipation if not taken with enough water, diarrhoea, and rectal discomfort with the use of enemas or suppositories. Additionally, overuse of laxatives may lead to dehydration, diarrhoea, and electrolyte imbalance. Therefore, it is recommended to make dietary and lifestyle changes first, such as increasing water and fibre intake, before resorting to laxatives. If constipation persists or is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting of bile or a lack of response to treatment, it is important to seek medical help.

Laxatives for adults over 18 years old

In the UK, there are no legal age restrictions for buying medicines, including laxatives. However, some retail outlets may have their own policies that restrict the sale of medicines to children. Laxatives are available over the counter in pharmacies, grocery stores, and online without a prescription for adults over 18. They may be labelled as laxatives, stool softeners, or fibre supplements.

Laxatives are medicines that help relieve constipation by softening stools or stimulating the bowels. They are generally safe for adults over 18 but should be used with caution and as directed to prevent side effects such as bloating, gas, or stomach cramps. It is important to read the information leaflet inside the packaging to ensure that the product is suitable for adults.

Laxatives come in different forms, including pills, capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, syrups, suppositories, and enemas. Each type has specific benefits and possible side effects. For example, suppositories and enemas provide faster relief but have a greater risk of side effects such as diarrhoea and stomach cramps. On the other hand, bulk-forming laxatives are gentler and less likely to cause side effects but may take a few days to be effective.

It is important to note that laxatives should not be used as a first-line treatment for constipation. Lifestyle changes, such as eating high-fibre foods, taking probiotics, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising, are usually recommended first. If these changes do not improve constipation, then laxatives may be considered. Additionally, laxatives are not safe for everyone, and it is always recommended to consult a healthcare provider before taking any medication, especially if you are pregnant or taking other prescription medications.

Laxatives for children with constipation

In the UK, there are no legal age restrictions for buying medicines. However, some retail outlets have their own policies that restrict the sale of medicines to children. Over-the-counter medicines can be purchased from pharmacies without a prescription, and sometimes from supermarkets and other retail outlets. It is important to always read the information leaflet inside the packaging to check whether a medicine is suitable for children.

Laxatives are a group of medications designed to relieve constipation, so that hard stools are easier to pass. They are available in oral and rectal forms. Oral laxatives may be pills or a powder that is mixed with water and then ingested. Rectal laxatives come in the form of suppositories and enemas.

If your child is experiencing constipation, there are several things you can do to help:

• Diet and fluid intake: Increase the amount of high-fibre foods in your child's diet, such as fruits and vegetables, and ensure they are drinking plenty of water and other fluids. It is important to note that your child needs to drink at least 32 ounces (about 1 litre) of water daily for fibre supplements to work well.
• Routine: Encourage your child to try and have a bowel movement after meals to build a routine.
• Rewards: Use a reward system when your child uses the bathroom regularly.
• Physical activity: Regular physical activity can encourage bowel movements, so take your child for a walk or a run if possible.
• Abdominal massage: Gently massaging your child's abdomen may relax the muscles that support the bladder and intestines, promoting bowel activity.
• Prune juice: Give your child prune juice, which can be mixed with other juices if they don't like the taste.

If these measures do not help, it is important to seek advice from your child's doctor. They may recommend an over-the-counter fibre supplement or stool softener, or a glycerin suppository if your child cannot swallow pills. Never give your child a laxative or enema without a doctor's approval and instructions on the proper dosage.

Frequently asked questions