Laxatives for constipation that can be purchased at pharmacies

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Definition

What are laxatives?

Laxatives or also known as laxatives are medicines used to treat constipation or constipation. The use of this drug aims to empty the intestinal contents, so that dry and hard stool can come out.

Medicines to treat constipation are available in various types, depending on what is the cause of constipation. When used excessively, laxatives can cause diarrhea and weight loss.

When is constipation medication needed?

Before buying laxatives at the pharmacy, whether it requires a doctor's prescription or not, get to know your condition first. Normally, how to deal with constipation naturally can relieve the symptoms experienced.

For example, meeting fluid needs, eating more fiber foods, and exercising regularly has been proven to overcome mild constipation. However, when the symptoms of constipation get worse, you can use laxatives.

Don't forget to consult your doctor before choosing laxatives. The reason is, you need to know what causes constipation, so that you get the right treatment according to your condition.

Register without prescription drugs

What are some over-the-counter laxatives for constipation?

Laxatives function to smooth bowel movements and remove waste or food waste in the stomach. If the condition is still relatively mild, this laxative can be obtained without a doctor's prescription.

Here are some options for over-the-counter laxatives for constipation.

Bulk laxative

This laxative is another form of fiber supplement. Bulk laxatives (bulk-forming) works by increasing more water in the body so that the stool becomes softer, bigger, and easier to remove.

Even larger, softer stools can trigger the intestines to contract, so you can pass stool smoothly. Drug bulk-forming laxative to treat constipation consists of several types, including:

• psyllium,
• polycarbophil calcium, and
• methylcellulose fiber

Generally, this one constipation medication is available in powder or powder which must be dissolved with water. This type of laxative is also available in the form of liquids, tablets, and suppositories (tubes filled with medicine that are inserted into the anus).

You don't need to worry because bulk laxatives are safe to use regularly over the long term and are safe for everyone. Although relatively safe, this drug can cause side effects, such as flatulence and cramps.

Osmotic laxative

Osmotic constipation medications help increase the amount of water in the intestines to soften the stool. As a result, you can have a more attacking bowel movement. This medicine for difficult to CHAPTER also helps relieve stomach cramps and passing wind due to constipation

Osmotic laxatives are available in various forms, namely suppositories (inserted into the anus and drinking tablets. Generally, drugs that are directly inserted into the anus immediately work within 30 minutes of use compared to tablet drugs.

There are several types of osmotic laxatives, namely:

• magnesium hydroxide
• magnesium citrate
• polyethylene glycol
• sodium phosphate
• glycerin

Osmotic laxatives are safe for long-term use. However, some cases have reported that this constipation medication may not work when overused.

These laxatives can cause side effects in the form of dehydration, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. That's why you need to drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of side effects from osmotic laxatives.

When used in excess, osmotic drugs that contain excessive amounts of sodium phosphate can cause kidney and heart damage. Always consult a doctor before using this medication.

Lubricating laxatives

Just as the name implies, lubricant laxatives make the stool more slippery. The mineral oil content in this medicine helps lubricate the lining of the intestinal wall so that you have a smooth bowel movement and prevent the stool from drying out.

This laxative is available in liquid form to be taken directly. Although quite effective, this medication for constipation should be used for the short term. This is because long-term use makes it difficult for the body to absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. In addition, this constipation drug can also trigger abdominal pain and cramps.

Stimulant laxatives

Stimulant laxatives work by stimulating bowel movements to make them faster. This type of treatment will be chosen if your condition is getting worse and requires instant treatment.

This is because these stimulant laxatives work after 6-10 hours after drinking them. Apart from oral or capsule, this drug is also available in liquid, enema, suppository. Types of stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl and sennoside.

The most common side effect is stomach cramps. You are also advised not to use long-term stimulant laxatives. The reason is, using it for a long time can make the body immune to this drug.

Stool softeners

The surfactant content in stool softeners helps soften the stool caused by post-operative constipation or childbirth. This drug also functions to add water and fat to the feces. As a result, bowel movements become smoother during bowel movements.

Unlike other drugs, this drug takes a longer time, at least 1-3 days to start working. This laxative is available in tablets, capsules, liquids, and suppositories.

Even so, this drug has quite a few side effects, so it is safe to use for a long time. An example of a stool softener is docusate.

Agonist laxatives

Lastly, laxatives that can be obtained over the counter at the pharmacy are agonist laxatives. These drugs work by softening the texture of stool by increasing fluids and increasing blood flow in the digestive system. This drug will be effective if the cause of your constipation is chronic idiopathic.

Even so, this drug should not be given to children under 6 years of age. Side effects can include diarrhea and severe dehydration for some children.

List of drugs by prescription

What constipation medications require a doctor's prescription?

If your constipation is in the moderate to severe category, your doctor will usually prescribe the following medicines to treat constipation.

Linaclotide (Linzess)

Linaclotide is a capsule form of constipation medication that needs to be taken once a day on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before meals.

These laxatives work by stimulating the cells lining the intestines to secrete fluid for faster bowel movements.

Apart from treating chronic constipation. Linaclotide also helps treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For children under 17 years of age it is not recommended to take linaclotide.

Lubiprostone (Amitizia)

This prescription laxative is also given to treat chronic constipation, especially those with IBS, or as a result of taking opioid pain relievers.

Lubiprostone should be taken twice daily with food and water as recommended by your doctor.

Similar to other drugs, this drug increases bowel movements, reduces tension, as well as increases the amount of fluid in the stool. That way, the texture of the stool is softer for the body to excrete.

Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.

Plecanatide (Trulance)

Plecanatide is an oral constipation medication that is taken once a day. The goal is to help the body produce more fluid in the intestines, so that the bowel movements are smoother because the stool is softer.

These prescription laxatives are more specifically for people who experience chronic idiopathic constipation. Chronic idiopathic constipation is constipation that has no known cause and has been going on for a long time.

However, doctors will prescribe the drug plecanatide when other types of medication cannot treat constipation. Plecanatide can cause side effects in the form of diarrhea.

Tips for taking medication

How do you use the right constipation medication?

Before using constipation medication, it is important to read the directions on the medicine packaging label or the doctor's instructions. These instructions aim to tell the limit of drug doses and how often constipation drugs can be taken.

Follow these tips for taking laxatives so that constipation will heal quickly and have minimal side effects and the risk of further complications.

Consult a doctor

If you are taking any prescription medication, ask your doctor if it is okay to use laxatives at the pharmacy. Especially if your constipation is chronic.

Taking laxatives together with other medicines may reduce the effectiveness of the drug or even cause annoying side effects.

Do not abuse the use of laxatives

Some people abuse laxatives to lose weight, hoping that the food they eat will not be absorbed by the body.

It should be noted that most of the food substances have been absorbed by the small intestine, whereas laxative drugs more often work on the large intestine. All that remains in the large intestine is food and waste that needs to be removed and fluids that will be absorbed by the body.

Meanwhile, people who experience constipation use laxatives to treat constipation problems. After using it, you will feel relieved because the problem of having difficulty defecating has been successfully resolved and you may feel that your stomach circumference has shrunk.

The abdominal cavity is elastic, so that in constipation, the stomach can feel bloated and the circumference of the stomach widens slightly. If constipation is treated successfully, it will decrease belly circumference and become more noticeable in thin people.

Unfortunately, this change in abdominal circumference is caused by the loss of feces that have accumulated in the intestines, not fat.

If you have further questions, please contact your doctor to get the right solution.