Constipation pills

How to choose the right tablets for constipation if there are dozens of drugs on the shelves of pharmacies? Are all laxatives the same, or are there differences in their effectiveness?

Of course, any sensible person, when choosing laxative tablets for constipation, wants to get, first of all, a natural and safe medicine that does not provoke addiction and acts gently on the intestines. Of course, it would be better to consult a doctor. However, you can find general and useful information about some laxatives in our article.

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Indications for the use of tablets for constipation

• Difficulty in defecation, stimulation of the natural rhythm of colon cleansing in cases of atony, disturbances and changes in diet or lifestyle.
• Targeted liquefaction of feces and their removal from the intestines as part of treatment or therapeutic manipulations (in case of inflammation of the anal sphincter, before and after surgical interventions on the intestines and other abdominal organs, before colonoscopy or fluoroscopy, before childbirth).
• Certain diseases of the liver and digestive system that require frequent or urgent bowel movements.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of laxatives

Intestinal irritating medications exert their effect by irritating the sensitive nerve endings of the intestine, which leads to the activation of peristaltic movements. In most cases, after taking such substances, a single act of defecation occurs 6-10 hours later.

Prebiotics can be called a natural laxative, stabilizing the balance of microflora in the intestine. As a result, natural restoration of intestinal function occurs. The laxative effect is cumulative, but after taking a single maximum dose, defecation is expected within one and a half to two hours.

Osmotic drugs are designed to retain fluid in the intestinal cavity, which helps to liquefy feces and quickly remove them from the intestines. After taking such drugs, the osmotic pressure in the digestive system increases, causing an influx of water into the lower sections.

Intestinal fillers are specific substances that can swell and increase in size, absorbing water and stretching the intestinal walls. In order for these drugs to be effective, it is necessary to increase the volume of liquid consumed while taking them (at least 2 liters); only then will the drugs take effect. The effect is usually expected within 24-48 hours.

Names of constipation pills

Tablets and other forms of drugs that relieve constipation are usually divided according to the mechanism of action:

• osmotic substances;
• intestinal irritants;
• medicines containing prebiotics;
• bowel fillers.

The mechanism of action is fundamentally important when selecting a drug, depending on the treatment goal being pursued.

• Intestinal irritants are drugs that act almost immediately after administration. They are usually used at night when peristalsis is weak. By the morning, a positive effect is guaranteed. Irritant tablets include:

1. Senna tablets for constipation (dry extract of senna);
2. senade (herbal preparation based on senna);
3. phytolax (complex herbal preparation);
4. bisacodyl (contact tablets for bloating and constipation);
5. senadexin (contains calcium solisennosides);
6. German drug Midro Tee.

• Prebiotics are the most optimal tablets for constipation for children and people suffering from dysbacteriosis. Prebiotics include:

1. Normase;
2. Duphalac;
3. Lactovit.

• Osmotic laxative tablets are saline products that are acceptable for long-term use and do not cause addiction. Tablets for constipation in elderly patients are often represented by osmotic drugs. The most common drugs in this group include:

1. magnesium sulfate;
2. Carlsbad salt;
3. Macrogol;
4. Microlax;
5. citrate.

• Bowel bulking agents are synthetic or herbal tablets for constipation that create bulk in the intestines, thereby stimulating natural bowel movements. The main drugs in this group are:

1. flax-seed;
2. bran;
3. MCC;
4. Fleaworth;
5. Sterculia;
6. plantain seed.

Electronic pill for constipation

Electronic normalizing remedy for constipation is a relatively new specific device that is designed to correct the function of the digestive system, while improving the composition of the blood and the activity of almost all organs. The tablet is an oral capsule with a microprocessor. The manufacturer of the miracle capsule promises comfortable and safe correction and stimulation of all weakened systems of the body.

The tablet is swallowed whole in the morning. It is advisable to carry out the procedure on a day off to be able to cope with possible unpleasant sensations after taking the capsule. Half an hour and for several hours after swallowing, spasmodic contractions of the abdominal wall and limbs are possible.

The capsule is used once, its effect can last for about 50 hours. The drug is excreted with feces in 2-5 days.

The electronic pill is not used:

• for internal bleeding;
• in case of mechanical obstruction in the intestine;
• for calculous cholecystitis, pyelonephritis;
• during pregnancy;
• in case of exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease;
• in the presence of built-in stimulants.

The tablet can be used not only internally, but also in the form of rectal suppositories.

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Midro Tee tea for constipation

Midro Tee tea is an effective and gentle laxative that can eliminate even the most persistent constipation without harming the body.

The tea contains crushed senna leaves, mint, caraway seeds, as well as licorice and mallow.

The tea can be brewed with boiling water and left to steep for 20 minutes, then consumed at night. In addition, chewing and swallowing the leaves that make up the tea base is allowed, as well as consuming the dry mass internally, washed down with yogurt or water. The maximum daily dosage is 1 tablespoon of dry herbal mixture.

The laxative effect usually occurs 8-12 hours after drinking tea or dried leaves, so it is advisable to use the herbal mixture before bed.

Next, we will look at the main characteristics of the most common constipation medications.

Method of administration and dosage of tablets for constipation

Tablets that irritate the intestinal walls are taken 1 at night. If ineffective, 2 tablets may be taken.

Prebiotics are taken before or during meals, one to three times a day.

Osmotic laxatives are taken on an empty stomach, after being dissolved in 100 ml of liquid.

The dosage of intestinal-filling tablets is calculated individually.

Before taking any medication, you should carefully read the instructions.

Using Constipation Pills During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, taking laxatives without a doctor's recommendation is very risky. The fact is that medications that increase intestinal peristalsis can simultaneously increase the tone of the uterus, which, in turn, can cause spontaneous termination of pregnancy or premature labor.

Saline laxatives are especially dangerous as they disrupt the water-salt balance in a woman's body. Such medications are not prescribed during pregnancy.

Prebiotics and bowel filler tablets are considered the safest for pregnant women - without being absorbed into the systemic bloodstream, they cause a soft and natural bowel movement.

Most often during pregnancy the following are prescribed:

1. Duphalac;
2. Normolact;
3. Lactulose;
4. Lactovit forte.

The use of the listed drugs is possible only after medical consultation.

Contraindications to the use of tablets for constipation

Tableted drugs that irritate intestinal receptors are not prescribed:

• for long-term use;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• small children;
• for abdominal pain of unknown origin;
• in the acute stage of hemorrhoids or proctitis;
• for painful anal fissures;
• in case of internal bleeding;
• for inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;
• in case of intestinal obstruction;
• in case of strangulated hernia;
• in case of electrolyte metabolism disorders.

Prebiotic drugs are not prescribed in cases of intestinal obstruction, lactose intolerance, or diabetes (only under the supervision of a physician).

Osmotic tablets are contraindicated in cases of food and drug intoxication, acute forms of constipation.

Intestinal bulking laxative tablets are not used in cases of irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal obstruction, or in bedridden patients.

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Side effects

Intestinal irritant tablets may cause the following side effects:

• depletion of intestinal sensitivity, atony;
• water-salt metabolism disorder;
• "addiction";
• intestinal pain.

Prebiotics have virtually no side effects. Sometimes temporary bloating may occur, which goes away around the third day of taking the drug.

Osmotic agents can cause electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and abdominal pain.

Bowel-filling drugs may cause increased gas production.

Overdose of constipation pills

Symptoms of an overdose of constipation pills may include:

Abdominal pain similar to colic;

Profuse diarrhea, dehydration.

Treatment of overdose: discontinuation of laxatives, symptomatic therapy, compensation for fluid loss.

Interactions with other drugs

Laxatives are not recommended to be combined with diuretics due to the risk of dehydration.

When taken in combination, the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs and salicylates may be enhanced.

Absorption of antibiotics may be impaired.

Storage conditions and shelf life

Most constipation medications should be stored at room temperature, out of the reach of children.

Prebiotics are best stored at low temperatures, such as in a refrigerator. Medicines should not be frozen.

Shelf life is from 2 to 3 years, depending on the specific drug.

When problems with bowel movements begin, the first thing we think about is what effective constipation pills can be bought at the pharmacy. Among the huge assortment, many immediately pay attention to the cheapest constipation pills (for example, Bisacodyl or senna leaf), while others look for expensive products from well-known pharmaceutical companies. However, it is important to understand that treatment of intestinal problems should begin with eliminating the root cause of constipation - with finding the very factor that influenced the development of problems with the act of defecation. It is not easy to find out the cause on your own, so it is recommended to undergo a full examination by a specialist who will prescribe further treatment, including suitable constipation pills.