II. Medications: Laxatives
-
Bulk Laxative (Fiber Supplementation, Preferred agents)
- Preferred agents (effective with few adverse effects)
- Psyllium (e.g. Metamucil)
- Methylcellulose (e.g. Citrucel)
- Calcium Polycarbophil (Fibercon)
- Dietary Fiber
-
Osmotic Laxative (Preferred agents)
- Poorly absorbed saccharides (Lactulose, Sorbitol)
- Magensium Laxatives (Milk of Magnesia)
- Sodium bisphosphate (Fleets Phospho-Soda)
- Polyethylene Glycol lavage solution (GoLytely)
- Emollient Laxative (Stool Softener)
-
Stimulant Laxative (Risk of Laxative abuse)
- Other Laxative types are preferred over these
- Anthraquinone Laxative
- Cascara Sagrada Extract (Casanthranol)
- Senna Extract (Senokot)
- Diphenylmethane Laxative
- Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
- Phenolphthalein (OTC, Correctol, Ex-Lax)
- Combination Agents
- Peri-Colace contains Cascara and Docusate
- Senekot-S contains senna and Docusate
III. Medications: Enemas and suppositories
- Precautions
- Never use hot water, soap, or Hydrogen Peroxide enema
- Tap water enema or saline enema (safest)
- Sodium Bisphosphate enema (Fleet Enema)
- Pink Lady Enema (1/2 Fleet Enema, 100 ml Docusate, 60 ml Mineral Oil, 60 ml Magnesium Citrate)
- Mineral Oil Enema
- Glycerine suppository
- Bisacodyl suppository (Dulcolax suppository)
IV. Medications: Prokinetic agents
- See Constipation Dominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Secretagogoues
- Linaclotide
- Plecanatide
- Lubriprostone
- Tenapanor
- Prokinetic Agents
- Prucalopride
- Tegaserod (Zelnorm)
- Withdrawn from U.S. market in 2007 due to Cardiovascular Risks (but still available for limited use)
- Indicated only in IBS for Constipation in women
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
| laxative (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| LAXATIVE EC 5 MG TABLET | Generic OTC | $0.03 each |