Causes (1)
- Hypercalcemia
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Over-the-counter laxatives for constipation: Use with caution
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- Symptom Checker
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- Barium enema
- Colonoscopy
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Over-the-counter laxatives for constipation: Use with caution
Laxatives can help relieve and prevent constipation. But not all laxatives are safe for long-term use. Overuse of certain laxatives can lead to dependency and decreased bowel function.
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you've ever experienced the discomfort of constipation — perhaps while traveling or after a change in diet — you may have considered over-the-counter laxatives. Laxatives are substances taken by mouth (oral laxatives) or in your rectum (rectal laxatives) that relieve and prevent constipation. You can take oral laxatives in many different forms — liquids, tablets, wafers, gums, or powders that you dissolve in water. You take rectal laxatives in the form of suppositories or enemas.
How often you have a bowel movement varies, but a "normal" frequency ranges from as many as three a day to as few as two or three a week. Your body ordinarily needs no help to have them. But a poor diet, physical inactivity, pregnancy, illness or some medications can disrupt normal bowel function and cause constipation.
Before trying laxatives
Before turning to laxatives for relief, you may want to try the following lifestyle changes to help manage occasional irregularity:
- Eat fiber-rich foods.
- Drink plenty of fluids daily.
- Exercise regularly.
Lifestyle and dietary improvements relieve constipation for many people, but if problems continue despite these changes, your next choice may be a mild laxative.
How laxatives relieve constipation
Laxatives work in different ways, and the effectiveness of each laxative type varies from person to person. In general, bulk-forming laxatives, which are also referred to as fiber supplements, are the gentlest on your body and safe to use long term. Metamucil and Citrucel fall into this category. Stimulant laxatives, such as Ex-lax and Senokot, are the harshest and shouldn't be used long term.
Following are some examples of common types of laxatives. Other types of laxatives also exist. Even though many laxatives are available over-the-counter, it's best to talk to your doctor about which laxative may be best for you.
| Type of laxative (brand examples) | How they work | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
| Oral hyperosmotics (Epsom salts, Phillips' Milk of Magnesia) | Draw water into colon from surrounding body tissues to allow easier passage of stool | Bloating, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, gas, increased thirst |
| Oral bulk formers (Citrucel, Metamucil) | Absorb water to form soft, bulky stool, prompting normal contraction of intestinal muscles | Bloating, gas, cramping, choking or increased constipation if not taken with enough water |
| Oral stool softeners (Colace, Kaopectate) | Add moisture to stool to allow strain-free bowel movements | Throat irritation, stomach or intestinal cramping |
| Oral stimulants (Ex-lax, Senokot) | Trigger rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles to eliminate stool | Belching, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, faintness, urine discoloration |
| Rectal stimulants (Fleet Bisacodyl, Dulcolax) | Trigger rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles to eliminate stool | Rectal irritation, stomach discomfort, faintness, cramping |
In addition, oral laxatives may interfere with your body's absorption of some medications and food nutrients. Rectal laxatives do not have this effect. Also, some oral and rectal laxatives can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, especially after prolonged use. Electrolytes, which include calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sodium, regulate muscle contraction, heart rhythm, nerve function, fluid balance and other body functions. An electrolyte imbalance can cause abnormal heart rhythms, weakness, confusion and seizures.
Next page(1 of 2)
- Wald A. Treatment of constipation in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Constipation. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Constipation. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=687. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Tack J, et al. Treatment of chronic constipation: Current pharmacologic approaches and future directions. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. In press. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Cancer drug guide: Magnesium citrate. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CDG/content/CDG_magnesium_citrate.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- American Gastroenterological Association institute medical position statement on the use of gastrointestinal medications in pregnancy. Bethesda, Md.: American Gastroenterological Association. http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0016-5085/PIIS001650850600864X.pdf. Accessed March 3, 2009.
