Browse Prescribing Notes by Therapeutic Subcategory

Constipation may be defined as a condition where a patient has fewer than three bowel movements per week. Common causes of constipation include changes in diet, insufficient fiber and liquids, lack of exercise, certain medications, changes in life (eg. pregnancy, advancing age), specific diseases, and anorectal dysfunction. Products used to treat constipation include:
Bulk laxatives (eg, methylcellulose, polycarbophil) are hydrophilic. They absorb water from the intestinal lumen to increase stool mass and soften stool consistency.
Stool softeners (eg, docusate sodium) act by lowering surface tension, permitting water to enter the bowel contents more readily.
Osmotic laxatives (eg, lactulose, magnesium hydroxide) are hyperosmolar agents that cause secretion of water into the intestinal lumen by osmotic activity.
Stimulant laxatives (eg, bisacodyl, senna) increase intestinal motility and secretion of water into the bowel.
Prokinetic agents (eg, tegaserod) improve stool consistency and frequency by accelerating colonic transit time.