Most laxatives (except saline laxatives) may be used to provide relief:ĭuring preparation for examination or surgery.įor constipation caused by other medicines.įollowing surgery when straining should be avoided.įollowing a period of poor eating habits or a lack of physical exercise in order to develop normal bowel function (bulk-forming laxatives only).įor some medical conditions that may be made worse by straining, for example: If you are taking a combination laxative, make certain you know the proper use and precautions for each of the different ingredients. In addition, they may not offer any advantage over products containing only one type of laxative. In general, combination products may be more likely to cause side effects because of the multiple ingredients. For example, a product may contain both a stool softener and a stimulant laxative. 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.Ĭombinations-There are many products that you can buy for constipation that contain more than one type of laxative. Stool softeners (emollients)-Stool softeners encourage bowel movements by helping liquids mix into the stool and prevent dry, hard stool masses. One of the stimulant laxatives, dehydrocholic acid, may also be used for treating certain conditions of the biliary tract. However, they also are more likely to cause side effects. Stimulant laxatives are a popular type of laxative for self-treatment. They increase the muscle contractions that move along the stool mass. Stimulants-Stimulant laxatives, also known as contact laxatives, encourage bowel movements by acting on the intestinal wall. The stool remains soft and its passage is made easier. 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. It is used for short periods of time to treat constipation. The polymer type is 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 available only with your doctor's prescription. Lactulose may sometimes be used in the treatment of certain medical conditions to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood. However, it produces results much more slowly and is often used for long-term treatment of chronic constipation. The lactulose type is a special sugar-like laxative that works the same way as the saline type. Sodium phosphate may also be prescribed for other conditions as determined by your doctor. The information that follows applies only to their use as laxatives. With smaller doses than those used for the laxative effect, some saline laxatives are used as antacids. They are not used for long-term or repeated correction of constipation. The saline type is often called "salts." They are used for rapid emptying of the lower intestine and bowel. There are three types of hyperosmotic laxatives taken by mouth-the saline, the lactulose, and the polymer types: This provides a soft stool mass and increased bowel action. Hyperosmotics-Hyperosmotic laxatives encourage bowel movements by drawing water into the bowel from surrounding body tissues. Some bulk-forming laxatives, like psyllium and polycarbophil, may be prescribed by your doctor to treat diarrhea. The bowel is then stimulated normally by the presence of the bulky mass. The different types of oral laxatives include:īulk-formers-Bulk-forming laxatives are not digested but absorb liquid in the intestines and swell to form a soft, bulky stool. Since directions for use are different for each type, it is important to know which one you are taking. There are several different types of oral laxatives and they work in different ways.
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