What does laxative pills do

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Finding balance: 3 simple exercises to steady your steps. For stuck stools Other laxative options If the conservative route doesn't work, Dr.

Common laxatives and brands Active ingredient Common brands Bulk forming bran cereals and other foods calcium polycarbophil FiberCon dextrin Benefiber methylcellulose Citrucel psyllium Metamucil Stool softeners docusate Colace, Correctol, Peri-Colac e, Surfak Lubricants mineral oil Various branded and generic products Osmotics magnesium magnesium citrate, milk of magnesia polyethylene glycol MiraLAX or generic versions sodium phosphate Fleet Phospho-Soda sorbitol or lactulose ingredients in various products Stimulants Bisacodyl Correctol, Dulcolax, Ex-Lax Ultra Casanthranol Dialose Plus, Peri-Colace Cascara Naturalax castor oil various brand and generic products Senna Ex-Lax, Fletcher's Castoria, Senokot Stimulant laxatives Stimulant laxatives such as bisacodyl and cascara trigger contractions in the bowels that push the stool along.

When to talk to a doctor If you find yourself trying one laxative after another for long periods, see your doctor for an evaluation.

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I want to get healthier. Close Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Constipation is when stools become hard, making them difficult or painful to pass. Constipation can cause cramps in the abdomen and can make people feel bloated or sick. It can be separated into two different types :.

Some medications can also contribute to constipation; these include antidepressants , iron, bismuth, anticholinergics, opioids, antacids, calcium channel blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , sympathomimetics, and antipsychotics.

Different types of laxatives work in different ways. The choice of laxative will depend on a number of different factors. There are four main types :. There are also some less common types of laxatives :. Like any medication, laxatives can have side effects. Exactly what side effects a person will experience will depend on what type they are taking. There are some common side effects , which include:. Most side effects will disappear once a patient stops taking the medication; they can mostly be avoided by starting on a low dose and increasing the dose gradually.

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. Active ingredient in each tablet Bisacodyl USP 5 mg.

Purpose Stimulant laxative. Use for relief of occasional constipation and irregularity this product generally produces a bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours. Warnings Do not use if you cannot swallow without chewing. Ask a doctor before use if you have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting noticed a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts more than 2 weeks. When using this product do not chew or crush tablet s do not use within 1 hour after taking an antacid or milk it may cause stomach discomfort, faintness and cramps.

Stop use and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding or no bowel movement after using this product. These could be signs of a serious condition. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.