Laxatives

What are Laxatives?

Laxatives are medicines that help resolve constipation or empty the bowel of fecal matter before procedures or surgery involving the lower bowel. There are several different types available (see differences below) and each type works in a particular way. Some soften or loosen up the stool, while others increase how frequently the large colon contracts which helps move the stool along the bowel.

Laxatives may also be called cathartics or purgatives.

What are laxatives used for?

Laxatives are used to treat constipation if lifestyle changes have failed to resolve the constipation or if the person has a medical condition (such as angina) that may be exacerbated by straining.

Before taking a laxative it is important to be sure the person is actually constipated and that the constipation is not due to an underlying, undiagnosed condition. People's bowel habits vary and it does not mean that somebody is constipated if they do not pass a bowel motion every day. Constipation is usually defined as "The passage of hard stools less frequently than the person's normal bowel pattern". Laxatives should generally not be used long-term unless under medical supervision because they can cause electrolyte disturbances (such as low potassium levels), dehydration, and contribute to a sluggish bowel.

Before using a laxative, lifestyle changes, such as drinking more fluid, exercising, and increasing the amount of vegetables and fiber in the diet should be tried first.

Types of laxatives include:

  • Bulk-forming laxatives (such as fiber, psyllium, or polycarbophil). These absorb water in the bowel and swell to bulk out the stool making it softer and easier to pass
  • Emollient stool softeners (such as docusate). These moisten and lubricate the stool making it easier to pass
  • Osmotic laxatives (such as lactulose, and magnesium sulfate/hydroxide) draw fluid into the bowel and soften stools
  • Stimulant laxatives (such as senna or bisacodyl) promote contraction of the intestines, promoting the movement of stools through the bowel.

Bowel cleansing preparations

Bowel cleansing preparations are not treatments for constipation. They are used before bowel surgery, colonoscopy, or radiological examinations to ensure that the bowel is free of solid contents.

They should be used with caution in people with fluid and electrolyte disturbances, such as dehydration and low potassium levels. These should be corrected before administration.

Examples of bowel cleansing preparations include:

  • citric acid/magnesium oxide/sodium picosulfate
  • magnesium sulfate/potassium sulfate/sodium sulfate
  • polyethylene glycol-3350 with or without electrolytes 
  • sodium biphosphate/sodium phosphate.

List drug with Laxatives

Drug Name
Avedana Glycerin Suppositories Adult rectal
Generic name: Glycerin (rectal)
ClearLax
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Clenpiq
Generic name: Citric Acid, Magnesium Oxide, And Sodium Picosulfate
Colace
Generic name: Docusate
Colace 2-in-1
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
ColPrep Kit
Generic name: Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, And Magnesium Sulfate
Colyte
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350 And Electrolytes
Colyte with Flavor Packs
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Constilac
Generic name: Lactulose
Constulose
Generic name: Lactulose
Correctol Herbal Tea Laxative
Generic name: Senna (SEN-a)
Bisacodyl and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 with electrolytes
Generic name: Bisacodyl And Polyethylene Glycol (PEG-3350) With Electrolytes
Bisacodyl oral and rectal
Generic name: Bisacodyl (oral And Rectal)
Black Draught
Generic name: Senna
Cholac
Generic name: Lactulose
Citrate of Magnesia
Generic name: Magnesium Citrate
Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate
Generic name: Citric Acid, Magnesium Oxide, And Sodium Picosulfate
Citroma
Generic name: Magnesium Citrate
Citroma Cherry
Generic name: Magnesium Citrate
Citroma Lemon
Generic name: Magnesium Citrate
Citrucel
Generic name: Methylcellulose
Daily Fiber Sugar-Free
Generic name: Psyllium
Disposable Enema rectal
Generic name: Sodium Biphosphate And Sodium Phosphate (rectal)
Doc-Q-Lace
Generic name: Docusate Sodium
Docusate and senna
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Docusate oral/rectal
Generic name: Docusate (oral/rectal)
DOK
Generic name: Docusate
Dok Plus
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Dr Caldwell Laxative
Generic name: Senna
Dr. Caldwell Senna Laxative
Generic name: Senna (SEN-a)
Dulcolax
Generic name: Bisacodyl (oral And Rectal)
Dulcolax Stool Softener
Generic name: Docusate Sodium 100mg Capsules
Enulose
Generic name: Lactulose
Equalactin
Generic name: Polycarbophil
Ex-Lax Chocolated
Generic name: Senna
Ex-Lax Maximum Strength
Generic name: Senna
Ex-Lax Regular Strength Pills
Generic name: Senna
Fiber Lax
Generic name: Polycarbophil
Fiber Laxative
Generic name: Polycarbophil
Fiber Tabs
Generic name: Polycarbophil
FiberCon
Generic name: Polycarbophil
Fibertab
Generic name: Polycarbophil
Fleet Enema rectal
Generic name: Sodium Biphosphate And Sodium Phosphate (rectal)
Fleet Glycerin Suppositories Adult rectal
Generic name: Glycerin (rectal)
Fleet Glycerin Suppositories Pediatric rectal
Generic name: Glycerin (rectal)
Fleet Liquid Glycerin Suppositories rectal
Generic name: Glycerin (rectal)
Fleet Phospho-soda EZ-Prep
Generic name: Sodium Phosphate Dibasic And Sodium Phosphate Monobasic
Fletchers Castoria
Generic name: Senna
GaviLAX
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
GaviLyte-C
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
GaviLyte-C with Flavor Pack
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350 And Electrolytes
GaviLyte-C With Lemon Flavor Pack
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
GaviLyte-G With Lemon Flavor Pack
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
GaviLyte-H and Bisacodyl with Flavor Packs
Generic name: Bisacodyl And Polyethylene Glycol (PEG-3350) With Electrolytes
GaviLyte-N with Flavor Pack
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Sodium And Potassium Salts
GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Generlac
Generic name: Lactulose
Geri-kot
Generic name: Senna
Gialax
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Glycerin rectal
Generic name: Glycerin (rectal)
GlycoLax
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
GoLYTELY
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
HalfLytely
Generic name: Bisacodyl And Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350 With Electrolytes
HealthyLax
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Hydrocil
Generic name: Psyllium
Innerclean
Generic name: Senna
Inulin
Generic name: Inulin
Konsyl
Generic name: Psyllium
Konsyl Fiber
Generic name: Polycarbophil
Konsyl Sugar Free Orange With Stevia
Generic name: Psyllium
Konsyl-Orange
Generic name: Psyllium
Kristalose
Generic name: Lactulose
Lactitol
Generic name: Lactitol
Lactulose
Generic name: Lactulose (oral)
Laxmar
Generic name: Psyllium
Magnesium citrate
Generic name: Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and sodium sulfate
Generic name: Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, And Sodium Sulfate
Magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate
Generic name: Magnesium, Potassium, And Sodium Sulfates
Metamucil
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Berry Burst Smooth Texture
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Kids Thins
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Orange Coarse Milled Original
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Orange Smooth Texture
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Thins Apple Crisp
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Thins Chocolate
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Thins Cinnamon Spice
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Unflavored Coarse Milled Original
Generic name: Psyllium
Metamucil Unflavored Smooth Texture
Generic name: Psyllium
Methylcellulose
Generic name: Methylcellulose
Mineral oil oral/rectal
Generic name: Mineral Oil (oral/rectal)
MiraLAX
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
MoviPrep
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Natura-Lax
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Natural Fiber Therapy
Generic name: Psyllium
Nulytely
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Sodium And Potassium Salts
NuLYTELY Lemon Lime
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
NuLYTELY Orange
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
NuLYTELY with Flavor Packs
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Onelax Fiber Therapy
Generic name: Psyllium
OsmoPrep
Generic name: Sodium Biphosphate And Sodium Phosphate (oral)
Pedia-Lax Liquid rectal
Generic name: Glycerin (rectal)
PEG-3350 with Electolytes
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes (Eqv-GoLYTELY)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes (Eqv-Moviprep)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes Lemon (Eqv-GoLYTELY)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes Lemon (Eqv-Moviprep)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes Lemon (Eqv-NuLYTELY)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes Lemon-Lime (Eqv-NuLYTELY)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes Orange (Eqv-GoLYTELY)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG-3350 with Electrolytes Pineapple (Eqv-GoLYTELY)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
PEG3350
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Peri-Colace
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Phospho-Soda
Generic name: Sodium Phosphate Dibasic And Sodium Phosphate Monobasic
Pizensy
Generic name: Lactitol
Plenvu
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Polycarbophil
Generic name: Polycarbophil
Polyethylene glycol 3350
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Polyethylene glycol 3350 and electrolytes (Oral)
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350 And Electrolytes
Polyethylene glycol 3350, electrolytes, and ascorbic acid
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Electrolytes, And Ascorbic Acid
Polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium and potassium salts
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Sodium And Potassium Salts
Polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Chloride, And Potassium Chloride
Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Prepopik
Generic name: Citric Acid, Magnesium Oxide, And Sodium Picosulfate
Psyllium
Generic name: Psyllium
Reguloid
Generic name: Psyllium
Reguloid Orange Smooth
Generic name: Psyllium
Reguloid Sugar Free
Generic name: Psyllium
Reguloid Sugar Free Orange Smooth
Generic name: Psyllium
Rite Aid Senna
Generic name: Senna (SEN-a)
Sani-Supp rectal
Generic name: Glycerin (rectal)
Senexon
Generic name: Senna (SEN-a)
Senexon-S
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Senna
Generic name: Senna
Senna Lax
Generic name: Senna
Senna Plus
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Senna S
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Senna-Time
Generic name: Senna
Senna-Time S
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Senokot
Generic name: Senna
Senokot Extra Strength
Generic name: Senna
Senokot Laxative Gummies Blue Pomegranate
Generic name: Senna
Senokot Laxative Gummies Mixed Berries
Generic name: Senna
Senokot S
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Senokot Tea
Generic name: Senna
SenoSol
Generic name: Senna
SenoSol-SS
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
SenoSol-X
Generic name: Senna
Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate
Generic name: Sodium Biphosphate And Sodium Phosphate (oral)
Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate rectal
Generic name: Sodium Biphosphate And Sodium Phosphate (rectal)
Sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium phosphate monobasic (Intravenous)
Generic name: Sodium Phosphate Dibasic And Sodium Phosphate Monobasic
Sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium phosphate monobasic (Oral)
Generic name: Sodium Phosphate Dibasic And Sodium Phosphate Monobasic
Sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium phosphate monobasic (Rectal)
Generic name: Sodium Phosphate Dibasic And Sodium Phosphate Monobasic
Sodium picosulfate, magnesium, and citric acid
Generic name: Sodium Picosulfate, Magnesium, And Citric Acid
Sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride
Generic name: Sodium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, And Potassium Chloride
Sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate
Generic name: Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, And Magnesium Sulfate
Sorbitol
Generic name: Sorbitol
Stool Softener + Stimulant Laxative
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Stool Softener with Laxative
Generic name: Docusate And Senna
Suflave
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, And Sodium Chloride
SunMark ClearLax
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Suprep
Generic name: Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, And Sodium Sulfate
Suprep Bowel Prep Kit
Generic name: Magnesium, Potassium, And Sodium Sulfates
Sutab
Generic name: Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, And Sodium Sulfate
Swiss Kriss
Generic name: Senna (SEN-a)
TriLyte w/Flavor Packs
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Sodium And Potassium Salts
TriLyte with Flavor Packs
Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Uni-Cenna
Generic name: Senna (SEN-a)
Visicol
Generic name: Sodium Phosphate Dibasic And Sodium Phosphate Monobasic
X-Prep
Generic name: Senna (SEN-a)

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