Laxatives (Oral)

Brand name(s): "Agoral "

Description

Oral laxatives are medicines taken by mouth to encourage bowel movements to relieve constipation.

There are several different types of oral laxatives and they work in different ways. Since directions for use are different for each type, it is important to know which one you are taking. The different types of oral laxatives include:

Bulk-formers

Bulk-forming laxatives are not digested but absorb liquid in the intestines and swell to form a soft, bulky stool. The bowel is then stimulated normally by the presence of the bulky mass. Some bulk-forming laxatives, like psyllium and polycarbophil, may be prescribed by your doctor to treat diarrhea.

Hyperosmotics

Hyperosmotic laxatives encourage bowel movements by drawing water into the bowel from surrounding body tissues. This provides a soft stool mass and increased bowel action.

There are three types of hyperosmotic laxatives taken by mouth-the saline, the lactulose , and the polymer types. The saline type is often called ''salts.'' They are used for rapid emptying of the lower intestine and bowel. They are not used for long-term or repeated correction of constipation. With smaller doses than those used for the laxative effect, some saline laxatives are used as antacids. The information that follows applies only to their use as laxatives. Sodium phosphate may also be prescribed for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

The lactulose type is a special sugar-like laxative that works the same way as the saline type. However, it produces results much more slowly and is often used for long-term treatment of chronic constipation. Lactulose may sometimes be used in the treatment of certain medical conditions to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood. It is available only with your doctor's prescription.

The polymer typeis a polyglycol (polyethylene glycol), a large molecule that causes water to be retained in the stool; this will soften the stool and increase the number of bowel movements. It is used for short periods of time to treat constipation.

Lubricants

Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, taken by mouth encourage bowel movements by coating the bowel and the stool mass with a waterproof film. This keeps moisture in the stool. The stool remains soft and its passage is made easier.

Stimulants

Stimulant laxatives, also known as contact laxatives, encourage bowel movements by acting on the intestinal wall. They increase the muscle contractions that move along the stool mass. Stimulant laxatives are a popular type of laxative for self-treatment. However, they also are more likely to cause side effects. One of the stimulant laxatives, dehydrocholic acid, may also be used for treating certain conditions of the biliary tract.

Stool softeners (emollients)

Stool softeners encourage bowel movements by helping liquids mix into the stool and prevent dry, hard stool masses. This type of laxative has been said not to cause a bowel movement but instead allows the patient to have a bowel movement without straining.

Combinations

There are many products that you can buy for constipation that contain more than one type of laxative. For example, a product may contain both a stool softener and a stimulant laxative. In general, combination products may be more likely to cause side effects because of the multiple ingredients. In addition, they may not offer any advantage over products containing only one type of laxative. If you are taking a combination laxative, make certain you know the proper use and precautions for each of the different ingredients.

Most laxatives (except saline laxatives) may be used to provide relief:

• during pregnancy.
• for a few days after giving birth.
• during preparation for examination or surgery.
• for constipation of bedfast patients.
• for constipation caused by other medicines.
• following surgery when straining should be avoided.
• following a period of poor eating habits or a lack of physical exercise in order to develop normal bowel function (bulk-forming laxatives only).
• for some medical conditions that may be made worse by straining, for example:
  • Heart disease
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hernia (rupture)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • History of stroke

Saline laxatives have more limited uses and may be used to provide rapid results:

• during preparation for examination or surgery.
• for elimination of food or drugs from the body in cases of poisoning or overdose.
• for simple constipation that happens on occasion (although another type of laxative may be preferred).
• in supplying a fresh stool sample for diagnosis.

Most laxatives are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions for the proper use and dose for your medical condition. They are available in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• • Malt Soup Extract
    • Powder (U.S.)
    • Oral solution (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Malt Soup Extract and Psyllium
    • Powder (U.S.)
  • Methylcellulose
    • Capsules (U.S.)
    • Granules (U.S.)
    • Powder (U.S.)
    • Oral solution (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Polycarbophil
    • Tablets (U.S.)
    • Chewable tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Psyllium
    • Caramels (U.S.)
    • Granules (U.S.)
    • Powder (U.S.)
  • Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid
    • Granules (U.S. and Canada)
    • Powder (U.S. and Canada)
    • Effervescent powder (U.S.)
    • For oral suspension (Canada)
    • Wafers (U.S.)
  • Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid and Carboxymethylcellulose
    • Granules (U.S.)
• • Psyllium and Senna
    • Granules (U.S.)
  • Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid and Senna
    • Granules (Canada)
  • Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid and Sennosides
    • Powder (U.S.)
• • Lactulose
    • Solution (U.S. and Canada)
• • Polyethylene glycol 3350
    • Powder (U.S. and Canada)
• • Magnesium Citrate
    • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Magnesium Hydroxide
    • Milk of magnesia (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Magnesium Oxide
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Magnesium Sulfate
    • Crystals (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Sodium Phosphate
    • Effervescent powder (U.S.)
    • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
• • Milk of Magnesia and Mineral Oil
    • Emulsion (U.S. and Canada)
  • Mineral Oil and Glycerin
    • Emulsion (Canada)
• • Milk of Magnesia and Cascara Sagrada
    • Oral Suspension (U.S.)
• • Mineral Oil
    • Oil (U.S. and Canada)
    • Emulsion (U.S. and Canada)
    • Gel (Canada)
    • Oral suspension (U.S.)
• • Bisacodyl
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Casanthranol
    • Syrup (U.S.)
  • Cascara Sagrada
    • Fluidextract (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Cascara Sagrada and Aloe
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Cascara Sagrada and Bisacodyl
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Castor Oil
    • Oil (U.S. and Canada)
    • Emulsion (U.S.)
  • Dehydrocholic Acid
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Senna
    • Granules (U.S.)
    • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
    • For oral solution (U.S.)
    • Syrup (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Sennosides
    • Granules (U.S. and Canada)
    • Oral solution (Canada)
    • Syrup (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• • Bisacodyl and Docusate
    • Tablets (Canada)
  • Casanthranol and Docusate
    • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
    • Syrup (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Danthron and Docusate
    • Capsules (Canada)
    • Tablets (Canada)
  • Dehydrocholic Acid and Docusate
    • Capsules (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Sennosides and Docusate
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• • Docusate
    • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
    • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
    • Syrup (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Poloxamer 188
    • Capsules (U.S.)

Last Revised: 12/10/2002

User Comments

Sorry, no comments for this article. Be the first to review it!

Click here to write a comment