Laxative Meaning: How Does It Work?

Laxatives are substances, foods, or medicines that help to relieve constipation by stimulating bowel movements. They are usually mild drugs that can be taken orally or rectally and are available over the counter or by prescription. Laxatives work by increasing the bulk or weight of faeces, drawing water into the intestines to soften stool, or stimulating the nerves that control the muscles lining the digestive tract. While they are a common treatment for constipation, they are not suitable for everyone and should be used with caution as they can cause side effects such as dehydration and diarrhoea.

Laxatives are a type of medicine that relieve constipation

There are four main types of laxatives: bulk-forming, osmotic, stimulant, and stool softener. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as Fybogel and methylcellulose, increase the bulk or weight of faeces by helping them retain fluid, which stimulates the bowel to push out stools. Osmotic laxatives, including lactulose and polyethylene glycol, draw water from the body into the bowel, softening the stools and making them easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives, such as bisacodyl, senna, and sodium picosulfate, work by stimulating the nerves that control the muscles lining the digestive tract, speeding up bowel movement. Stool softener laxatives, like arachis oil and docusate sodium, increase the fluid content of hard, dry stools, making them easier to pass.

It is recommended that you start with a bulk-forming laxative and adjust from there. If your stools remain hard, you can try an osmotic laxative in addition to or instead of a bulk-forming laxative. If your stools are soft but still difficult to pass, you can take a stimulant laxative in addition to a bulk-forming laxative. It is best to consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about which laxative to use.

Laxatives are not suitable for everyone and are generally not recommended for children unless advised by a doctor. Some laxatives may be unsafe for individuals with certain health conditions, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. It is important to read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication to ensure it is safe for you. Additionally, it is crucial not to exceed the recommended dose of laxatives, as this can be harmful and cause side effects.

Laxatives should ideally be used occasionally and for short periods, only when needed. To prevent constipation, it is better to adopt lifestyle changes, such as increasing fibre and fluid intake and exercising regularly, rather than relying on laxatives.

They stimulate the evacuation of faeces

Laxatives are substances that stimulate the evacuation of faeces, helping to relieve constipation. They are usually mild drugs that can be bought over the counter or prescribed by a doctor. They are typically used when lifestyle changes, such as increasing fibre intake, drinking more fluids, and exercising, have not helped with constipation.

There are several types of laxatives, each working in a slightly different way to stimulate the evacuation of faeces. Bulk-forming laxatives, for example, increase the bulk or weight of faeces, stimulating the bowel to push out stools. These include ispaghula husk and methylcellulose, which work in a similar way to dietary fibre. Osmotic laxatives, on the other hand, draw water from the body into the bowel, softening the stools and making them easier to pass. Examples of osmotic laxatives are lactulose and polyethylene glycol.

Stimulant laxatives are another type that works by speeding up the movement of the bowels. They do this by stimulating the nerves that control the muscles lining the digestive tract. Bisacodyl, senna, and sodium picosulfate are examples of stimulant laxatives. Stool softener laxatives, such as arachis oil and docusate sodium, also help to stimulate the evacuation of faeces by increasing the fluid content of hard, dry stools, making them easier to pass.

Laxatives are available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, sachets of powder, suppositories, liquids, and gels. They usually take a few days to work, although stimulant laxatives can have an effect within 6 to 12 hours. It is important to note that laxatives should only be used occasionally and for a short period, and they are not recommended for children unless advised by a doctor.

Laxatives can be bought over the counter or prescribed by a doctor

Laxatives are a type of medicine that can treat constipation and relieve bowel issues. They can be bought over the counter or prescribed by a doctor. Over-the-counter laxatives are available in pharmacies, grocery stores, and online. They may be labelled as laxatives, stool softeners, or fibre supplements.

Laxatives are typically used to treat constipation in adults. They are also used to empty the bowels before certain medical procedures. They work by softening hard stools or stimulating the bowels to get moving. Common types include bulk-forming laxatives, osmotics, stool softeners, lubricants, and stimulants.

Most laxatives are available without a prescription. However, it is important to take them as directed to prevent side effects such as bloating, gas, or stomach cramps. Taking laxatives for too long can cause serious side effects and worsen constipation. It is recommended to only take laxatives occasionally and for up to a week at a time.

If over-the-counter laxatives are not effective or if you have a chronic condition causing constipation, you may need a prescription laxative. Prescription laxatives are also recommended for those taking opioids, which can cause constipation. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking laxatives, especially for children or during pregnancy.

Laxatives come in different forms, including pills, powders, liquids or syrups, suppositories, and enemas. They can be taken orally or as suppositories. It is important to follow the instructions on the medication to ensure safe and effective use.

There are four main types of laxatives

A laxative is a medicine or agent that relieves constipation by stimulating the evacuation of faeces. They can be purchased over the counter in pharmacies, grocery stores, and online, or obtained via prescription from a doctor. While they are a good solution to constipation, they are not suitable for everyone, and it is recommended to try lifestyle changes before resorting to laxatives.

Bulk-forming laxatives

Bulk-forming laxatives work by increasing the "bulk" or weight of faeces, which in turn stimulates the bowel. They are considered the gentlest type and are often recommended as the first course of treatment. They include fibre supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil®), polycarbophil (FiberCon®), and methylcellulose (Citrucel®). These laxatives take 2-3 days to work and are available over the counter.

Osmotic laxatives

Osmotic laxatives draw water from the rest of the body into the bowel, softening the faeces and making it easier to pass. They include lactulose (Duphalac, Lactugal), macrogol (Movicol, Laxido, CosmoCol, Molaxole, Molative), polyethylene glycol (Gavilax, MiraLAX), magnesium hydroxide solution (Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia), and glycerin (Colace Glycerin, Fleet Pedia-Lax). Osmotic laxatives also take 2-3 days to work and can be purchased over the counter.

Stool softener laxatives

Stool softeners, also called emollient laxatives, increase the water and fat that faeces absorb, making it softer. They include docusate (Colace). This type of laxative is also available over the counter.

Lubricant laxatives

Lubricant laxatives coat the colon, making it slick. This coating prevents the colon from absorbing water from the faeces, so it stays soft and can pass more easily. Lubricant laxatives include mineral oil.

It is important to note that laxatives should be taken as directed to prevent side effects such as bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and dehydration. They should also not be taken for longer than a week without consulting a healthcare professional.

Laxatives can cause side effects like dehydration

A laxative is a medicine that stimulates or facilitates bowel movements to relieve constipation. While they are a common and effective treatment for constipation, they can also cause side effects, including dehydration.

Laxatives work in different ways, depending on the type. Some soften stools, while others increase the bulk of stools with additional fibre. One type, osmotic laxatives, work by drawing water into the colon to make passing stools easier. However, overuse of this type of laxative may lead to dehydration. This is because the body compensates for the loss of water by retaining water, which can result in bloating.

Dehydration caused by laxative use can lead to a range of symptoms, including lightheadedness, headaches, darker urine, tremors, fainting, weakness, blurred vision, and kidney damage. In extreme cases, severe dehydration can cause organ damage and even lead to death.

To avoid dehydration when taking laxatives, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. The recommended daily water intake is at least 2 litres. It is also important to take laxatives with enough water to avoid increased constipation.

While laxatives are readily available over the counter, they should be used with caution and only when necessary. If you are experiencing constipation, consider making dietary and lifestyle changes, such as increasing your fibre intake and daily activity, before turning to laxatives. If you are considering using laxatives, speak to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best option for you.

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