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Laxatives (or purgatives) are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and bowel examinations. They are sometimes supplemented by enemas. Often, taking powerful laxatives can cause diarrhea, accompanied by massive flatulence attacks, due to the overworking of the bowels. Some people who experienced these side effects produced more than three times the average daily amount of flatulence in just one bowel release. Laxatives only work to hasten the elimination of undigested remains of food in the large intestine and colon. They will have no direct effect on a person's weight, because they do not work on the digestive system between the mouth and the small intestine where food is absorbed. Laxatives are often abused by people with eating disorders, and those persons who feel good after having a bowel movement. Laxative abuse is potentially serious since it can lead to intestinal paralysis,^{[citation needed]} Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS),^{[citation needed]} pancreatitis,^{[citation needed]} renal failure,^[1][2] and other problems.

There are several types of laxatives, listed below. Some laxatives combine more than one type of active ingredient to produce a combination of the effects mentioned. Laxatives may be oral or in suppository form.

Constipation with no known organic cause, i.e. no medical explanation, exhibits gender differences in prevalence: females are more often affected than males.^[3] Not surprisingly, some advertisers promote their brands as being more feminine and thereby tailor their message to the market. The way laxatives function in males and females, however, does not exhibit significant differences.

Nicotine has a laxative effect. ^[4]

Contents 1 Bulk-producing agents 2 Stool softeners / Surfactants 3 Lubricants / Emollient 4 Hydrating agents (osmotics) 4.1 Saline 4.2 Hyperosmotic agents 4.2.1 Effectiveness 5 Stimulant / Irritant 5.1 Castor oil 6 Serotonin agonist 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

• Site of Action: Small and large intestine
• Onset of Action: 12 - 72 hours
• Examples: psyllium husk (Metamucil), methylcellulose (Citrucel), polycarbophil, dietary fiber, apples

Also known as bulking agents or roughage, these include dietary fiber. Bulk-Producing agents cause the stool to be bulkier and to retain more water, as well as forming an emollient gel, making it easier for peristaltic action to move it along. They should be taken with plenty of water. Bulk-producing agents have the gentlest of effects among laxatives and can be taken just for maintaining regular bowel movements.

• Site of Action: Small and large intestine
• Onset of Action: 12 - 72 hours
• Examples: docusate (Colace, Diocto)

These cause water & fats to penetrate the stool, making it easier to move along. Many of these quickly produce a tolerance effect and so become ineffective with prolonged use. Their strength is between that of the bulk producers and the stimulants, and they can be used for patients with occasional constipation or those with anorectal conditions for whom passage of a firm stool is painful.

• Site of Action: Colon
• Onset of Action: 6 - 8 hours

These simply make the stool slippery, so that it slides through the intestine more easily. An example is mineral oil, which also retards colonic absorption of water, softening the stool. Mineral oil may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).

These cause the intestines to concentrate more water within, softening the stool. There are two principal types, saline and hyperosmotic.

• Site of Action: Small and large intestine
• Onset of Action: 0.5 - 6 hours
• Examples: Dibasic sodium phosphate, magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide (Milk of magnesia), magnesium sulfate, monobasic sodium phosphate, sodium biphosphate, Epsom salt

Saline laxatives attract and retain water in the intestinal lumen, increasing intraluminal pressure and thus softening the stool. They will also cause the release of cholecystokinin, which stimulates the digestion of fat and protein. Saline laxatives may alter a patient's fluid and electrolyte balance.

Sulfate salts are considered the most potent.^{[citation needed]}

• Site of Action: Colon
• Onset of Action: 0.5 - 3 hours
• Examples: Glycerin suppositories, Sorbitol, Lactulose, and Polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Lactulose works by the osmotic effect, which retains water in the colon, lowering the pH and increasing colonic peristalsis. Lactulose is also indicated in Portal-systemic encephalopathy. Glycerin suppositories work mostly by hyperosmotic action, but also the sodium stearate in the preparation causes local irritation to the colon.

Solutions of polyethylene glycol and electrolytes (sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, and sometimes sodium sulfate) are used for whole bowel irrigation, a process designed to prepare the bowel for surgery or colonoscopy and to treat certain types of poisoning. Brand names for these solutions include GoLytely, GlycoLax, CoLyte, NuLytely, and others.

For adults, a randomized controlled trial found PEG [MiraLax or GlycoLax] 17 grams once per day better than tegaserod 6 mg twice per day.^[5] A randomized controlled trial found greater improvement from 2 sachets (26 grams) of PEG versus or 2 sachets (20 grams) of lactulose ^[6]. 17 grams/day of PEG has been effective and safe in a randomized controlled trial for six months.^[7] Another randomized controlled trial found no difference between sorbitol and lactulose ^[8].

For children, PEG was found to be more effective than lactulose.^[9]

• Site of Action: Colon
• Examples:

Onset of Action	Laxative Name
6 - 8 hours	Cascara Phenolphthalein (Formerly in Ex-lax but phased out because of carcinogenicity concerns)
6 - 10 hours	Bisacodyl tablets (Dulcolax) Casanthranol Senna (Ex-lax) Aloe Vera
2 - 6 hours	Castor oil
15 min - 1 hour	Bisacodyl suppository Microlax

These stimulate peristaltic action and can be dangerous under certain circumstances. Long term use can lead to 'cathartic colon'.^[10] Stimulant laxatives act on the intestinal mucosa, or nerve plexus; they also alter water and electrolyte secretion. They are the most severe among laxatives and should be used only in extreme conditions. Castor oil may be preferred when more complete evacuation is required.

• Site of Action: Small intestine

Castor oil acts directly on intestinal mucosa or nerve plexus and alters water and electrolyte secretion. It is converted into ricinoleic acid (the active component) in the gut.

Tegaserod is a motility stimulant that works through activation of 5-HT₄ receptors of the enteric nervous system in the gastrointestinal tract.

1. ^ Copeland P (1994). "Renal failure associated with laxative abuse". Psychother Psychosom 62 (3-4): 200-2. PMID 7531354. 
2. ^ Wright L, DuVal J (1987). "Renal injury associated with laxative abuse". South Med J 80 (10): 1304-6. PMID 3660046. 
3. ^ Chang L, Toner B, Fukudo S, Guthrie E, Locke G, Norton N, Sperber A (2006). "Gender, age, society, culture, and the patient's perspective in the functional gastrointestinal disorders". Gastroenterology 130 (5): 1435-46. PMID 16678557. 
4. ^ Nicotine withdrawal symptoms:Constipation. helpwithsmoking.com (2005). Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
5. ^ Di Palma JA, Cleveland MV, McGowan J, Herrera JL (2007). "A randomized, multicenter comparison of polyethylene glycol laxative and tegaserod in treatment of patients with chronic constipation". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 102 (9): 1964–71. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01365.x. PMID 17573794. 
6. ^ Attar A, Lémann M, Ferguson A, Halphen M, Boutron M, Flourié B, Alix E, Salmeron M, Guillemot F, Chaussade S, Ménard A, Moreau J, Naudin G, Barthet M (1999). "Comparison of a low dose polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with lactulose for treatment of chronic constipation.". Gut 44 (2): 226-30. PMID 9895382. 
7. ^ Dipalma JA, Cleveland MV, McGowan J, Herrera JL (2007). "A randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial of polyethylene glycol laxative for chronic treatment of chronic constipation". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 102 (7): 1436-41. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01199.x. PMID 17403074. 
8. ^ Lederle F, Busch D, Mattox K, West M, Aske D (1990). "Cost-effective treatment of constipation in the elderly: a randomized double-blind comparison of sorbitol and lactulose.". Am J Med 89 (5): 597-601. PMID 2122724. 
9. ^ BestBETs: Is polyethylene glycol safe and effective for chro.... Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
10. ^ Joo J, Ehrenpreis E, Gonzalez L, Kaye M, Breno S, Wexner S, Zaitman D, Secrest K (1998). "Alterations in colonic anatomy induced by chronic stimulant laxatives: the cathartic colon revisited.". J Clin Gastroenterol 26 (4): 283-6. PMID 9649012. 

• ATC code A06
• Constipant also known as a costive, the opposite of a laxative

• Oral laxatives - MedlinePlus.
• Laxative overdose - MedlinePlus.
• Metamucil psyllium fiber laxative

v • d • e Major Drug Groups
Gastrointestinal tract (A)	Antacids • Antiemetics  • H₂-receptor antagonists • Proton pump inhibitors • Laxatives • Antidiarrhoeals
Blood and blood forming organs (B)	Anticoagulants • Antiplatelets • Thrombolytics
Cardiovascular system (C)	Antiarrhythmics • Antihypertensives • Diuretics • Vasodilators • Antianginals • Beta blockers • Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors • Antihyperlipidemics
Skin (D)	Emollients - Antipruritics
Reproductive system (G)	Hormonal contraception • Fertility agents • Selective estrogen receptor modulators • Sex hormones
Endocrine system (H)	Anti-diabetics • Corticosteroids • Sex hormones • Thyroid hormones
Infections and Infestations (J, P)	Antibiotics • Antivirals • Vaccines • Antifungals • Antiprotozoals • Anthelmintics
Malignant and Immune disease (L)	Anticancer agents • Immunostimulators • Immunosuppressants
Muscles, Bones, and Joints (M)	Anabolic steroids • Anti-inflammatories • Antirheumatics • Corticosteroids • Muscle relaxants
Brain and Nervous system (N)	Anesthetics • Analgesics • Anticonvulsants • Mood stabilizers  • Anxiolytics • Antipsychotics • Antidepressants • Nervous system stimulants • Sedatives
Respiratory system (R)	Bronchodilators • Decongestants  • Antihistamines

v • d • e Laxatives (A06)
Softeners, emollients	Paraffin - Docusate sodium
Contact laxatives	Oxyphenisatine - Bisacodyl - Dantron - Phenolphthalein - Castor oil - Senna glycosides - Cascara - Sodium picosulfate - Bisoxatin
Bulk producers	Ispaghula - Ethulose - Sterculia - Linseed - Methylcellulose - Triticum - Polycarbophil calcium
Osmotically acting laxatives	Magnesium carbonate - Magnesium oxide - Magnesium peroxide - Magnesium sulfate - Lactulose - Lactitol - Sodium sulfate - Pentaerithrityl - Macrogol - Mannitol - Sodium phosphate - Sorbitol - Magnesium citrate - Sodium tartrate
Enemas	Sodium phosphate - Bisacodyl - Dantron - Glycerol - Oil - Sorbitol