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GENERIC NAME: IRRITANT OR STIMULANT LAXATIVES - ORAL

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Irritant or stimulant laxatives are used to treat constipation and to clear the intestine before rectal or bowel examinations.

HOW TO USE: Take each dose with a full glass of water or juice and drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Chewable tablets are to be chewed thoroughly. Tablets are to be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. Wafers are to be chewed. Laxatives should not be used in persons experiencing stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rectal irritation, stomach cramps or bloating. If these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: rectal bleeding, rapid heart rate, weakness, dizziness, fainting, sweating, skin rash, unrelieved constipation. This medication may cause the urine to turn pink, red or brownish in color. Do not be alarmed. It is not harmful. Prolonged, frequent or excessive use of laxatives may lead to dependency. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, swelling (edema), any allergies (especially to tartrazine). Castor oil is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Bulk producing laxatives are an alternative. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Consult your doctor before using any medication while breast-feeding.





Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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irritant or stimulant laxatives-oral

Constipation »

What is constipation?

Constipation means different things to different people. For many people, it simply means infrequent stools. For others, however, constipation means hard stools, difficulty passing stools (straining), or a sense of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement. The cause of each of these "types" of constipation probably is different, and the approach to each should be tailored to the specific type of constipation.

Constipation also can alternate with diarrhea. This pattern commonly occurs as part of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). At the extreme end of the constipation spectrum is fecal impaction, a condition in which stool hardens in the rectum and prevents the passage of any stool.

The number of bowel movements generally decreases with age. Ninety-five percent of adults have bowel movements between three and 21 times per week, and this would be considered normal. The most common pattern is one bowel movement a day, but ...

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