LAXATIVES (Oral)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Agoral 35
- Alophen 25
- Alphamul 30
- Alramucil Orange 7
- Alramucil Regular 7
- Bisac-Evac 25
- Black-Draught 26
- Black-Draught Lax-Senna 32
- Carter's Little Pills 25
- Cholac 14
- Citroma 16
- Citrucel Orange Flavor 3
- Citrucel Sugar-Free Orange Flavor 3
- Colace 39
- Constilac 14
- Constulose 14
- Correctol 25
- Correctol Caplets 25
- Correctol Herbal Tea 32
- Correctol Stool Softener Soft Gels 39
- DC Softgels 39
- Diocto 39
- Diocto-C 35
- Dioeze 39
- Diosuccin 39
- Docu-K Plus 35
- DOK 39
- DOK Softgels 39
- D.O.S. Softgels 39
- Dr. Caldwell Senna Laxative 32
- D-S-S 39
- D-S-S plus 35
- Dulcolax 25
- Emulsoil 30
- Enulose 14
- Epsom salts 19
- Equalactin 4
- Evac-U-Gen 33
- Ex-Lax 33
- Ex-Lax Chocolate 33
- FemiLax 25
- Fiberall 7
- Fibercon Caplets 4
- Fiber-Lax 4
- FiberNorm 4
- Fleet Laxative 25
- Fleet Mineral Oil 24
- Fleet Phospho-Soda 20
- Fleet Soflax Gelcaps 39
- Fleet Soflax Overnight Gelcaps 35
- Fletcher's Castoria 32
- Genasoft Plus Softgels 35
- Gentle Laxative 25
- Haley's M-O 21
- Herbal Laxative 33
- Hydrocil Instant 7
- Kondremul Plain 24
- Konsyl 6
- Konsyl-D 7
- Konsyl Easy Mix 7
- Konsyl-Orange 7
- Konsyl-Orange Sugar Free 7
- Laxinate 100 39
- Liqui-Doss 24
- Mag-Ox 400 18
- Maltsupex 1
- Metamucil 7
- Metamucil Apple Crisp Fiber Wafers 7
- Metamucil Cinnamon Spice Fiber Wafers 7
- Metamucil Orange Flavor 7
- Metamucil Smooth, Citrus Flavor 7
- Metamucil Smooth, Orange Flavor 7
- Metamucil Smooth Sugar-Free, Citrus Flavor 7
- Metamucil Smooth Sugar-Free, Orange Flavor 7
- Metamucil Smooth Sugar-Free, Regular Flavor 7
- Metamucil Sugar-Free, Lemon-Lime Flavor 7
- Metamucil Orange Flavor 7
- Metamucil Sugar-Free, Orange Flavor 7
- MiraLax 15
- Modane 25
- Modane Bulk 7
- Mylanta Natural Fiber Supplement 7
- Mylanta Sugar Free Natural Fiber Supplement 7
- Nature's Remedy 33
- Neoloid 30
- Perdiem 9
- Perdiem Fiber 6
- Peri-Colace 35
- Peri-Dos Softgels 35
- Phillips' Chewable 17
- Phillips' Concentrated 17
- Phillips' Stool Softner Laxative Softgels 39
- Phillips' Milk of Magnesia 17
- Prompt 11
- Purge 30
- Reguloid Natural 7
- Reguloid Natural Sugar Free 7
- Reguloid Orange 7
- Reguloid Orange Sugar Free 7
- Senexon 32
- Senna-Gen 32
- Senokot 33
- Senokot Children's Syrup 33
- Senokot-S 38
- SenokotXTRA 33
- Senolax 32
- Serutan 7
- Serutan Toasted Granules 8
- Silace 39
- Silace-C 35
- Sulfolax 39
- Surfak 39
- Syllact 6
- Veracolate 25
- V-Lax 7
- X-Prep Liquid 32
In Canada?
- Acilac 14
- Apo-Bisacodyl 25
- Bicholate Lilas 29
- Bisacolax 25
- Carter's Little Pills 25
- Citro-Mag 16
- Colace 39
- Correctol 25
- Correctol Stool Softener Soft Gels 39
- Dulcolax 25
- Ex-Lax 33
- Ex-Lax Chocolate 33
- Ex-Lax Extra Strength 33
- Ex-Lax Gentle Strength 38
- Feen-a-Mint 25
- Fletcher's Castoria 33
- Glysennid 33
- Herbal Laxative 32
- Kondremul 24
- Lanso?l 24
- Lanso?l Sugar Free 24
- Magnolax 21
- Metamucil 7
- Metamucil Orange Flavor 7
- Metamucil Sugar Free 7
- Metamucil Sugar-Free, Orange Flavor 7
- Natural Source Fibre Laxative 7
- Nature's Remedy 33
- Nujol 24
- Peri-Colace 35
- Phillips' Magnesia Tablets 17
- Phillips' Milk of Magnesia 17
- PMS-Bisacodyl 25
- PMS-Docusate Calcium 39
- PMS-Docusate Sodium 39
- PMS-Lactulose 14
- PMS-Sennosides 33
- Prodiem Plain 7
- Prodiem Plus 10
- Pro-Lax 15
- Senokot 33
- Senokot-S 38
- SenoKot XTRA 33
- Silace 39
- Soflax 39
- Surfak 39
- Vitalax Super Smooth Sugar Free Orange Flavor 7
- Vitalax Unflavored 7
Note: | For quick reference the following laxatives are numbered to matchthe corresponding brand names. |
| Bulk-forming laxatives? |
| 1. | Malt Soup Extract (malt soup EX-tract)? |
| 2. | Malt Soup Extract and Psyllium (malt soup EX-tract and SILL-i-yum)? |
| 3. | Methylcellulose (meth-ill-SELL-yoo-lose)?? |
| 4. | Polycarbophil (pol-i-KAR-boe-fil) |
| 5. | Polycarbophil and Psyllium (pol-i-KAR-boe-fil and SILL-i-yum )? |
| 6. | Psyllium (SILL-i-yum)? |
| 7. | Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid (SILL-i-yumhye-droe-FILL-ik MYOO-sill-oid) |
| 8. | PsylliumHydrophilic Mucilloid and Carboxymethylcellulose (SILL-i-yum hye-droe-FILL-ik MYOO-sill-oid and kar-box-ee-meth-ill-SELL-yoo-lose)? |
| ? Not commercially available in Canada |
| ? Generic name product may be available in the U.S. |
| Bulk-forming, stimulant, and stool softener (emollient)combinations? |
| 12. | Product not available |
| Bulk-forming and stool softener (emollient) combinations? |
| 13. | Product not available |
| Hyperosmotic laxatives?Polymer: |
| 15. | Polyethylene glycol 3350 (pol-ee-ETH-ill-een GLYE-cal) |
Category
- Antacid?Magnesium Hydroxide; Magnesium Oxide
- Antidiarrheal?Polycarbophil; Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid
- Antihyperammonemic?Lactulose
- Antihyperlipidemic?PsylliumHydrophilic Mucilloid
- Hydrocholeretic?Dehydrocholic Acid
- Laxative,bulk-forming?Malt Soup Extract; Malt Soup Extract and Psyllium; Methylcellulose; Polycarbophil; Psyllium; Psyllium HydrophilicMucilloid; Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloidand Carboxymethylcellulose
- Laxative, bulk-formingand stimulant?Psyllium and Senna; Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid and Senna; Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid and Sennosides
- Laxative, carbon dioxide-releasing?Potassium Bitartrate and Sodium Bicarbonate
- Laxative, hyperosmotic?Glycerin; Lactulose; PolyethyleneGlycol
- Laxative, hyperosmotic and lubricant?Magnesium Hydroxide and Mineral Oil; Mineral Oil and Glycerin
- Laxative, hyperosmotic and stimulant?MagnesiumHydroxide and Cascara Sagrada
- Laxative, hyperosmotic,saline?Magnesium Citrate; Magnesium Hydroxide; Magnesium Oxide; Magnesium Sulfate; Sodium Phosphate
- Laxative,lubricant?Mineral Oil
- Laxative, stimulant and stool softener (emollient)?Bisacodyl and Docusate; Casanthranol andDocusate; Danthron and Docusate; Dehydrocholic Acid and Docusate; Sennosides and Docusate
- Laxative, stimulantor contact?Bisacodyl; Casanthranol; Cascara Sagrada and Bisacodyl; Cascara Sagrada; Cascara Sagrada and Aloe; Castor Oil; Dehydrocholic Acid; Senna; Sennosides
- Laxative, stool softener (emollient)?Docusate; Poloxamer 188
Description
Oral laxatives are medicinestaken by mouth to encourage bowel movements to relieve constipation.
There are several different types of oral laxatives and they work in differentways. Since directions for use are different for each type, it is importantto know which one you are taking. The different types of oral laxatives include:
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Bulk-formers?Bulk-forming laxatives are not digested but absorb liquid in the intestinesand swell to form a soft, bulky stool. The bowel is then stimulated normallyby the presence of the bulky mass. Some bulk-forming laxatives, like psylliumand polycarbophil, may be prescribed by your doctor to treat diarrhea.
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Hyperosmotics?Hyperosmotic laxatives encourage bowel movements by drawing water intothe bowel from surrounding body tissues. This provides a soft stool mass andincreased bowel action.
There are three types of hyperosmotic laxatives taken by mouth?thesaline, the lactulose , and the polymer types. The salinetype is often called ''salts.'' They are used for rapid emptying ofthe lower intestine and bowel. They are not used for long-term or repeatedcorrection of constipation. With smaller doses than those used for the laxativeeffect, some saline laxatives are used as antacids. The information that followsapplies only to their use as laxatives. Sodium phosphate may also be prescribedfor other conditions as determined by your doctor.
The lactulose type is a special sugar-likelaxative that works the same way as the saline type. However, it producesresults much more slowly and is often used for long-term treatment of chronicconstipation. Lactulose may sometimes be used in the treatment of certainmedical conditions to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood. It is availableonly with your doctor's prescription.
The polymer typeis a polyglycol (polyethyleneglycol), a large molecule that causes water to be retained in the stool; thiswill soften the stool and increase the number of bowel movements. It is usedfor short periods of time to treat constipation.
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Lubricants?Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, taken by mouth encourage bowelmovements 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 ismade easier.
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Stimulants?Stimulant laxatives, also known as contact laxatives, encourage bowel movementsby acting on the intestinal wall. They increase the muscle contractions thatmove along the stool mass. Stimulant laxatives are a popular type of laxativefor self-treatment. However, they also are more likely to cause side effects.One of the stimulant laxatives, dehydrocholic acid, may also be used for treatingcertain conditions of the biliary tract.
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Stool softeners (emollients)?Stool softeners encourage bowel movements by helping liquids mix into thestool and prevent dry, hard stool masses. This type of laxative has been saidnot to cause a bowel movement but instead allows the patient to have a bowel movement without straining.
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Combinations?There are many products that you can buy for constipation that containmore than one type of laxative. For example, a product may contain both astool softener and a stimulant laxative. In general, combination productsmay be more likely to cause side effects because of the multiple ingredients.In addition, they may not offer any advantage over products containing onlyone type of laxative. If you are taking a combinationlaxative, make certain you know the proper use and precautions for each ofthe 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 exercisein 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 rapidresults:
- during preparation for examination or surgery.
- for elimination of food or drugs from the body in cases of poisoningor overdose.
- for simple constipation that happens on occasion (although anothertype of laxative may be preferred).
- in supplying a fresh stool sample for diagnosis.
Most laxatives are available without a prescription; however, your doctormay have special instructions for the proper use and dose for your medicalcondition. They are available in the following dosage forms:
Oral- Bulk-forming laxatives?
- Malt Soup Extract
- Powder (U.S.)
- Oral solution (U.S.)
- Tablets (U.S.)
- Malt Soup Extract and Psyllium
- 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
- Bulk-forming and stimulant combinations?
- Psyllium and Senna
- Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid and Senna
- Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid and Sennosides
- Hyperosmotic laxative?Lactulose:
- Lactulose
- Solution (U.S. and Canada)
- Hyperosmotic laxative?Polyethylene Glycol:
- Hyperosmotic laxatives?Saline:
- Magnesium Citrate
- Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
- Magnesium Hydroxide
- Milk of magnesia (U.S. and Canada)
- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magnesium Sulfate
- Crystals (U.S. and Canada)
- Tablets (U.S.)
- Sodium Phosphate
- Effervescent powder (U.S.)
- Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
- Hyperosmotic and lubricant combinations?
- Milk of Magnesia and Mineral Oil
- Emulsion (U.S. and Canada)
- Mineral Oil and Glycerin
- Hyperosmotic and stimulant combination?
- Milk of Magnesia and Cascara Sagrada
- Lubricant laxatives?
- Mineral Oil
- Oil (U.S. and Canada)
- Emulsion (U.S. and Canada)
- Gel (Canada)
- Oral suspension (U.S.)
- Stimulant laxatives?
- Bisacodyl
- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
- Casanthranol
- 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
- 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)
- Stimulant and stool softener (emollient) combinations?
- Bisacodyl and Docusate
- 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)
- Stool softener (emollient) laxatives?
- Docusate
- Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
- Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
- Syrup (U.S. and Canada)
- Tablets (U.S.)
- Poloxamer 188
Before Using This Medicine
Importance of diet, fluids, and exercise to prevent constipation?Laxatives are to be used to provide short-term relief only, unless otherwisedirected by a doctor. A proper diet containing roughage (whole grain breadsand cereals, bran, fruit, and green, leafy vegetables), with 6 to 8 full glasses(8 ounces each) of liquids each day, and daily exercise are most importantin maintaining healthy bowel function. Also, for individuals who have problemswith constipation, foods such as pastries, puddings, sugar, candy, cake, andcheese may make the constipation worse.
If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully readand follow any precautions on the label. For oral laxatives, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to laxatives. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Diet?Make certain your health care professionalknows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.Some laxatives have large amounts of sodium or sugars in them.
Pregnancy?Although laxatives are often used during pregnancy,some types are better than others. Stool softeners (emollient) laxatives andbulk-forming laxatives are probably used most often. If you are using a laxativeduring pregnancy, remember that:
- Some laxatives (in particular, the bulk-formers) contain a largeamount of sodium or sugars, which may have possible unwanted effects suchas increasing blood pressure or causing water to be held in the body.
- Saline laxatives containing magnesium, potassium, or phosphates mayhave to be avoided if your kidney function is not normal.
- Mineral oil is usually not used during pregnancy because of possibleunwanted effects on the mother or infant. Mineral oil may interfere with theabsorption of nutrients and vitamins in the mother. Also, if taken for a longtime during pregnancy, mineral oil may cause severe bleeding in the newborninfant.
- Stimulant laxatives may cause unwanted effects in the expectant motherif improperly used. Castor oil in particular should not be used as it maycause contractions of the womb.
Breast-feeding?Laxatives containing cascara and danthron maypass into the breast milk. Although the amount of laxative in the milk isgenerally thought to be too small to cause problems in the baby, your doctorshould be told if you plan to use such laxatives. Some reports claim thatdiarrhea has been caused in the infant.
Children?Laxatives should not be givento young children (up to 6 years of age) unless prescribed by their doctor. Since children usually cannot describe their symptoms very well,they should be checked by a doctor before being given a laxative. The childmay have a condition that needs other treatment. If so, laxatives will nothelp, and may even cause unwanted effects or make the condition worse.
Mineral oil should not be given to young children (up to 6 years of age)because a form of pneumonia may be caused by the inhalation of oil dropletsinto the lungs.
Also, bisacodyl tablets should not be given to children up to 6 years ofage because if chewed they may cause stomach irritation.
Older adults?Mineral oil should not be taken by bedridden elderlypersons because a form of pneumonia may be caused by the inhalation of oildroplets into the lungs. Also, stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl or casanthranol),if taken too often, may worsen weakness, lack of coordination, or dizzinessand light-headedness.
Polyethylene glycol 3350 should be discontinued if diarrhea occurs, especiallyin elderly persons in nursing homes.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingoral laxatives, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Anticoagulants, oral (blood thinners you take by mouth) or
- Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine)?The use of magnesium-containinglaxatives may reduce the effects of these medicines
- Ciprofloxacin (e.g., Cipro) or
- Etidronate (e.g., Didronel) or
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate?Use of magnesium-containing laxativeswill keep these medicines from working
- Tetracyclines taken by mouth (medicine for infection)?Use ofbulk-forming or magnesium-containing laxatives will keep the tetracyclinemedicine from working
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of oral laxatives. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Appendicitis (or signs of) or
- Rectal bleeding of unknown cause?These conditions need immediateattention by a doctor
- Colostomy or
- Intestinal blockage or
- Ileostomy?The use of laxatives may create other problems ifthese conditions are present
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus?Diabetic patients shouldbe careful since some laxatives contain large amounts of sugars, such as dextrose,galactose, and/or sucrose
- Heart disease or
- High blood pressure?Some laxatives contain large amounts ofsodium, which may make these conditions worse
- Kidney disease?Magnesium and potassium (contained in some laxatives)may build up in the body if kidney disease is present; a serious conditionmay develop
- Swallowing difficulty?Mineral oil should not be used sinceit may get into the lungs by accident and cause pneumonia; also, bulk-forminglaxatives may get lodged in the esophagus of patients who have difficultyin swallowing
Proper Use of This Medicine
For safeand effective use of your laxative:
- Follow your doctor's instructions if this laxative was prescribed.
- Follow the manufacturer's package directions if you are treatingyourself.
With all kinds of laxatives, at least 6 to 8 glasses (8 ounces each) ofliquids should be taken each day. This will help make the stool softer.
For patients taking laxatives containing a bulk-formingingredient:
- Do not try to swallow in the dry form. Take with liquid.
- To allow bulk-forming laxatives to work properly and to prevent intestinalblockage, it is necessary to drink plenty of fluids during their use. Eachdose should be taken in or with a full glass (8 ounces) or more of cold wateror fruit juice. This will provide enough liquid for the laxative to work properly.A second glass of water or juice by itself is often recommended with eachdose for best effect and to avoid side effects.
- When taking a product that contains only a bulk-forming ingredient,results often may be obtained in 12 hours. However, this may not occur forsome individuals until after 2 or 3 days.
For patients taking laxatives containing a stool softener(emollient):
- Liquid forms may be taken in milk or fruit juice to improve flavor.
- When taking a product that contains only a stool softener, resultsusually occur 1 to 2 days after the first dose. However, this may not occurfor some individuals until after 3 to 5 days.
For patients taking laxatives containing a hyperosmoticingredient:
- Each dose should be taken in or with a full glass (8 ounces) or moreof cold water or fruit juice. This will provide enough liquid for the laxativeto work properly. A second glass of water or juice by itself is often recommendedwith each dose for best effect and, in the case of saline laxatives, to preventyou from becoming dehydrated.
- The unpleasant taste produced by some hyperosmotic laxatives maybe improved by following each dose with citrus fruit juice or citrus-flavoredcarbonated beverage.
- Lactulose may not produce laxative results for 24 to 48 hours.
- Polyethylene glycol may not produce laxative results for 2 to 4 days.
- Saline laxatives usually produce results within 1/2 to 3 hoursfollowing a dose. When a larger dose is taken on an empty stomach, the resultsare quicker. When a smaller dose is taken with food, the results are delayed.Therefore, large doses of saline laxatives are usually not taken late in theday on an empty stomach.
For patients taking laxatives containing mineral oil:
- Mineral oil should not be taken within 2 hours of meals because ofpossible interference with food digestion and absorption of nutrients andvitamins.
- Mineral oil is usually taken at bedtime (but not while lying down)for convenience and because it requires about 6 to 8 hours to produce results.
For patients taking laxatives containing a stimulantingredient:
- Stimulant laxatives are usually taken on an empty stomach for rapideffect. Results are slowed if taken with food.
- Many stimulant laxatives (but not castor oil) are often taken atbedtime to produce results the next morning (although some may require 24hours or more).
- Castor oil is not usually taken late inthe day because its results occur within 2 to 6 hours.
- The unpleasant taste of castor oil maybe improved by chilling in the refrigerator for at least an hour and thenstirring the dose into a full glass of cold orange juice just before it istaken. Also, flavored preparations of castor oil are available.
- Bisacodyl tablets are specially coatedto allow them to work properly without causing irritation and/or nausea. Toprotect this coating, do not chew, crush, or take the tablets within an hourof milk or antacids.
Dosing?There are a large number of laxative productson the market. The dose of laxatives will be different for different products.The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of crystals, gel, granules,liquid, or powder that you use; the number of caramels or wafers that youeat; or the number of pieces of gum that you chew depends on the strengthof the medicine. Follow your doctor's orders if thismedicine was prescribed, or follow the directions on the box if you are buyingthis medicine without a prescription.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the capsule, tablet, granules, or powder form of thismedicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places.Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Keep the liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Do not take any type of laxative:
- if you have signs of appendicitis or inflamedbowel (such as stomach or lower abdominal pain, cramping, bloating,soreness, nausea, or vomiting). Instead, check with your doctor as soon aspossible.
- for more than 1 week unless your doctorhas prescribed or ordered a special schedule for you. This is true even whenyou have had no results from the laxative.
- within 2 hours of taking other medicinebecause the desired effect of the other medicine may be reduced.
- if you do not need it, as for the commoncold, ''to clean out your system'' or as a ''tonic to make you feel better.''
- if you miss a bowel movement for a day or two.
- if you develop a skin rash while takinga laxative or if you had a rash the last time you took it. Instead, checkwith your doctor.
If you notice a sudden change in bowel habits or functionthat lasts longer than 2 weeks, or that keeps returning off and on,check with your doctor before using a laxative. This will allow the causeof your problem to be determined before it may become more serious.
The ''laxative habit''?Laxative products are overused by many people.Such a practice often leads to dependence on the laxative action to producea bowel movement. In severe cases, overuse of some laxatives has caused damageto the nerves, muscles, and tissues of the intestines and bowel. If you haveany questions about the use of laxatives, check with your health care professional.
Many laxatives often contain large amounts of sugars, carbohydrates, andsodium. If you are on a low-sugar, low-caloric, or low-sodium diet, checkwith your health care professional before using a laxative.
For patients taking laxatives containing mineral oil:
- Mineral oil should not be taken often or for long periods of timebecause:
- gradual build-up in body tissues may create additional problems.
- the use of mineral oil may interfere with the body's ability to absorbcertain food nutrients and vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- Large doses of mineral oil may cause some leakage from the rectum.The use of absorbent pads or a decrease in dose may be necessary to preventthe soiling of clothing.
- Do not take mineral oil within 2 hours of a stool softener (emollientlaxative). The stool softener may increase the amount of mineral oil absorbed.
For patients taking laxatives containing a stimulantingredient:
- Stimulant laxatives are most often associated with:
- overuse and the laxative habit.
- skin rashes.
- intestinal cramping after dosing (especially if taken on an emptystomach).
- potassium loss.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
For bulk-forming-containing
Difficulty in breathing; intestinalblockage; skin rash or itching; swallowing difficulty (feeling of lump in throat)
For hyperosmotic-containing
Confusion; dizziness or light-headedness; irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps; unusual tiredness or weakness
For stimulant-containing
Confusion; irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps; pink to red, red to violet,or red to brown coloration of alkaline urine (for cascara, danthron, and/orsenna only); skin rash; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellow to brown colorationof acid urine (for cascara, and/or senna only)
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects are less common and may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
For hyperosmotic-containing
For stool softener (emollient)-containing
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approvedfor marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also usefulfor other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling,psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid is used in certain patients with high cholesterol(hypercholesterolemia).
For patients taking psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid for high cholesterol:
- Importance of diet?Before prescribing medicine for your condition,your doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personaldiet for you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol.Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following theirdoctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed onlywhen additional help is needed. Follow carefully thespecial diet your doctor gave you, since the medicine is effectiveonly when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.
- Do not try to swallow the powder form of this medicine in the dryform. Mix with liquid following the directions in the package.
- Remember that this medicine will not cure your cholesterol problembut it will help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directedby your doctor if you expect to lower your cholesterol level.
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relatingto proper use, precautions, or side effects for this use.
Revised: 12/10/2002
