They work to soften your stool by adding moisture to it. Softer stools are easier to pass. Purchase stool softeners here. Bulk-forming laxatives function similarly to the fiber that you obtain from your diet.
They promote the absorption of water into your bowels. This makes stools larger and softer which in turn makes them easier to pass. The active ingredients of bulk-forming laxatives can include psyllium, methylcellulose, and sterculia. Here are options for purchasing bulk-forming laxatives. Lubricant laxatives promote the passage of stool through the bowel by coating the stool in a waterproof film. This allows the stool to both hold on to its moisture and to move more easily through the bowel.
Mineral oil is an example of a lubricant laxative. You can purchase mineral oil here. This increase in fluid can help soften stool and promote its passage through the bowel.
The active ingredient in lactulose laxatives is a sugar-like compound. Lactulose laxatives are often used for treatment of long-term or chronic constipation. This type takes 48 to 72 hours. These laxatives are made up of salts in liquid. Saline takes 30 minutes to 3 hours to work. Polymer laxatives are made up of large molecules such as polyethylene glycol.
Like saline laxatives, polymer laxatives are used for the short-term treatment of constipation. Polymers take 6 hours or longer to work. See your options for hyperosmotic laxatives. Stimulant laxatives cause the muscles of your bowels to contract. This allows stool to pass more readily through your bowels. World J Gastroenterol. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. Geriatr Nurs. Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.
Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. In this series. In this article What are laxatives? What is constipation? How do laxatives work? Which laxatives are usually prescribed or recommended? How long do laxatives take to work? How long should I take a laxative for?
What are the side-effects? When taking a laxative Who cannot take laxatives? What about natural laxatives? Laxatives In this article What are laxatives? What are laxatives?
Each laxative may have different brand names: Bulk-forming laxatives also known as fibre supplements. For example, ispaghula psyllium husk , methylcellulose and sterculia. Unprocessed bran is a cheap fibre supplement. Osmotic laxatives. For example, lactulose , macrogols , also called polyethylene glycol, or PEG , phosphate enemas and sodium citrate enemas. Stimulant laxatives.
For example, bisacodyl , docusate sodium , glycerol , senna and sodium picosulfate. Faecal softeners. For example, arachis peanut oil enemas, and liquid paraffin. Want to see a dietician? Book a private assessment with a qualified dietician today. Book now. How to use the Yellow Card Scheme If you think you have had a side-effect to one of your medicines you can report this on the Yellow Card Scheme.
If you wish to report a side-effect, you will need to provide basic information about: The side-effect. The name of the medicine which you think caused it. The person who had the side-effect. Your contact details as the reporter of the side-effect. Previous article Fibre and Fibre Supplements. Next article Hirschsprung's Disease. Are you protected against flu? Further reading and references.
Sweet potato gnocchi. Even though many laxatives are available over-the-counter , it's best to talk to your doctor about laxative use and which kind may be best for you. Stimulant laxatives can be taken by mouth or by suppository. When taken by mouth they work in about seven hours; by suppository they can work in about 30 minutes. These laxatives should never be used more than once every three days because they can cause your bowel to lose its ability to contract.
Sennosides Senna, Ex - Lax and bisacodyl Dulcolax increase intestinal motility and help with the flow of water into the bowel which improves constipation. Sennosides is more commonly used and slightly more effective than bisacodyl for opioid-induced constipation. Both are available over the counter and cheap. Stimulant laxatives This allows stool to pass more readily through your bowels. This type of laxative can take 6 to 12 hours to work.
Examples of stimulant laxative products include Dulcolax and Ex-Lax. Find a stimulant laxative for purchase here. One method involves taking bowel -clearing laxatives , powders or supplements; using enemas; or drinking herbal teas topurportedly release colon waste and discharge toxins.
In fact, colon cleansing that is done to help remove toxins is an unnecessary and potentially dangerous practice, especially colon hydrotherapy. Fecal retention Typically, people with chronic constipation or bowel-motility problems desperately want to defecate. If they 're eating and not pooping, the colon can become dangerously distended, a condition called "megacolon. You should stop taking a laxative as soon as your constipation improves. After taking a laxative , you can help prevent constipation returning by: drinking at least two litres six to eight glasses of water a day.
Taking too many laxatives overtime may weaken the bowel muscles, further leading to constipation. Contact a doctor after taking laxatives if you experience symptoms including dry mouth, thirst, reduced urine output and lightheadedness, especially with changes in position, after taking these laxatives.
Don't let constipation go unchecked for too long. When untreated, constipation can lead to unpleasant complications such as hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse, a condition in which part of the intestine pushes out through the anus from too much straining. Side Effects. Serious side effects are rare. However, excessive or prolonged use of laxatives can cause diarrhea or intestinal obstruction, where stools become large and dry.
Long-term use can also cause levels of salts and minerals in the body to become unbalanced. Some laxatives react with other medications, so if a patient is taking other drugs, it is best to check with a doctor before taking laxatives.
Laxatives can be taken for the wrong reasons and misuse is relatively common ; for instance, some people attempt to lose weight by the frequent and repeated use of laxatives. Often, this occurs after eating binges under the mistaken belief that food and calories will be rushed through the body before they are absorbed.
This is not the case, and laxative abuse can lead to a number of health complications. People with anorexia and bulimia sometimes use large amounts of laxatives as part of their harmful food behavior. While those misusing laxatives may notice weight loss, this is usually because of the loss of fluids; they do not reduce body mass, fat, or calories. Health complications associated with laxative misuse include:. Colon infection, IBS, and liver damage are also associated with overuse. Chronic laxative misuse can also contribute to colon cancer.
Laxative misuse often requires medical help for both physical and mental treatment. A doctor will be able to give advice on this. However, here are some basic tips for giving up laxatives :.
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