Pharmacist

Back Menu
Take This Know This What If Comments

 

 

 


Constipation can be painful, let's see what to use over-the-counter.
Pharmacist

Over the counter medications or measures that can help with constipation are listed below.

Go through them. You will then answer a few questions to see which will work best for your situation.

If still not satisfied, there is a comparison table at the end of the questions to further tailor the recommendation to your needs. 


Boy using the rest room


Stool softeners

This allows  water and fat to get into the stool making it softer and easier to move along.

They are stimulant free and generally regarded as gentle.

But expect action in about 1 to 3 days.

Docusate is a good example.

 

Bulk-forming fibers

These cause the stool to retain more water, bulk it up and form something like a gel making it easier to move along.

They are gentle and as such can be used daily to keep things moving.      

Examples include  Psyllium, cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, karaya, malt soup extract, polycarbophil, and wheat bran.

 

 

 

Stimulants

These stimulate or make the intestine more active leading to a bowel movement.

They act on the walls and nerves of the intestine, altering the electrolytes and water movement.

They are the most powerful among laxatives, but also the most dangerous.

So use these on a short term basis and make sure your child is not dehydrated before giving this.

Examples are senna extracts, castor oil, bisacodyl, cascara, aloe vera, buckthorn. 

 

Lubricants

The idea is to make the stool slippery so your child can pass it out easily.

A good example is mineral oil. 

Being an oil, mineral oil, will add more water to the stool making it softer because it prevents the colon from absorbing water.

The only problem is that it will also prevent the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and some minerals by dissolving them in the oil and passing them out.

 

Saline laxatives

Saline laxatives draw water into the intestine and retain it to make the stool softer and more comfortable to pass.

You should give this with a full glass of water not only to make it more effective but  also prevent side effects like dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.

Examples include magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide or milk of magnesia, magnesium sulfate and sodium phosphate.

Stay away from oral sodium phosphates. These, when taken at high doses in some individuals, carry a risk of kidney injury. For this reason, Fleet phospho-soda  (Oral formulation. Not enema)  was recalled by the manufacturer.

 

Hyper-osmotic agents

Hyperosmotic agents cause the intestine to hold more water within thereby softening the stool for easy passage.

Their goal is to hydrate the stool, soften it and make it easier to pass.

Examples include glycerin suppository, polyethylene glycol (PEG), sorbitol, lactulose.

Be sure to get the correct children's dosing for PEG using the dosing tool of this app.

 

Last updated by pharmacist on : 02/17/2016

You will use this information to choose a good over-the -counter remedy.

Remember to compare the different types of over-the-counter laxatives for a more informed decision using our comparison tool.

 


Which of the symptoms listed below is your child experiencing right now?
Pharmacist

Boy sitting on the toilet bowl

Choose the symptoms from the list below and see what is recommended.

 

 

Selection require a stool softener.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require a stimulant type laxative type laxative.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require a lubricant type laxative.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require you to take fibers.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require a saline type laxative.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require a hyper-osmotic class of laxatives.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener and a stimulant type of laxative.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener and a lubricant type laxative.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener and fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener and a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener and hyper-osmotic class laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stimulant type laxative or a lubricant type laxative.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stimulant type laxative and fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stimulant type laxative or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stimulant type laxative and hyper-osmotic class laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a lubricant laxative and fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a lubricant laxative or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a lubricant laxative or a hyper-osmotic class laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require fibers and a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require fibers and a hyper-osmotic class laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic class laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative type laxative or a lubricant
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, stimulant type laxative and fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, lubricant laxative and fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a lubricant laxative or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a lubricant laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, fibers and a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, fibers and a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stimulant laxative or a lubricant laxative and fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stimulant laxative with fibers or a saline type laxative with fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stimulant laxative, fibers or a hyper-osmotic type laxative with fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a lubricant laxative, fibers or a saline type laxative with fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a lubricant laxative, fibers or a hyper-osmotic type laxative with fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a lubricant laxative, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require fibers, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative, lubricant laxative and fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative, lubricant laxative or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative, lubricant laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative, fibers or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative, fibers or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant type laxative, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a lubricant laxative, fibers or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a lubricant laxative, fibers or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a lubricant laxative, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, fibers, and one of a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative, fibers or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative, fibers or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, fibers, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a lubricant laxative, fibers, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative with fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative, fibers or a saline type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative, fibers or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant laxative, fibers, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of lubricant, fibers, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative with fibers
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a stool softener, and one of a stimulant laxative, lubricant laxative, a saline type laxative or a hyper-osmotic type laxative with fibers
Pharmacist

 

Something to prevent?

 

Preventive measures


1. Include enough fiber in the diet

2. Have child drink fluids more often

3. Have child exercise often

4. Avoid having the child sit in one place for too long. If on a long journey, find time to stretch and walk around.

 

All of these?
Must have this constipation really bad.
Pharmacist

Please seek urgent care for this constipation.

 

None of these?
We must have left something out.

We must have left some things out. Please choose what closely reflects what your child is experiencing and see what is recommended.

See a doctor or urgent care

Seek urgent care for your child.

 

Stool Softener

This allows  water and fat to get into the stool making it softer and easier to move along.

They are stimulant free and generally regarded as gentle.

But expect action in about 1 to 3 days.

Docusate is a good example.

 

 

Stimulant Laxative

These stimulate or make the intestine more active leading to a bowel movement.

They act on the walls and nerves of the intestine, altering the electrolytes and water movement.

They are the most powerful among laxatives, but also the most dangerous.

So use these on a short term basis and make sure your child is not dehydrated before giving this.

Examples are senna extracts, castor oil, bisacodyl, cascara, aloe vera, buckthorn.

 

 

Lubricant Laxative

The idea is to make the stool slippery so your child can pass it out easily.

A good example is a mineral oil. 

Being an oil, mineral oil, will add more water to the stool making it softer because it prevents the colon from absorbing water.

The only problem is that it will also prevent the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and some minerals by dissolving them in the oil and passing them out.

 

 

Fibers

These cause the stool to retain more water, bulk it up and form something like a gel making it easier to move along.

They are gentle and as such can be used daily to keep things moving.      

Examples include  Psyllium, cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, karaya, malt soup extract, polycarbophil, and wheat bran.

 

 

 

Saline Laxative

Saline laxatives draw water into the intestine and retain it to make the stool softer and more comfortable to pass.

You should give this with a full glass of water not only to make it more effective but  also prevent side effects like dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.

Examples include magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide or milk of magnesia, magnesium sulfate and sodium phosphate.

Stay away from oral sodium phosphates. These, when taken at high doses in some individuals, carry a risk of kidney injury. For this reason, Fleet phospho-soda  (Oral formulation. Not enema)  was recalled by the manufacturer.

 

 

Hyper-Osmotic Laxatives

Hyperosmotic agents cause the intestine to hold more water within thereby softening the stool for easy passage.

Their goal is to hydrate the stool, soften it and make it easier to pass.

Examples include glycerin suppository, polyethylene glycol (PEG), sorbitol, lactulose.

Be sure to get the correct children's dosing for PEG using the dosing tool of this app.

 

 

Combination Products

1. Stool Softener + Stimulant

A good example is docusate + standardized senna concentrate.  The idea is to soften the stool while stimulating the bowels to move things along.

2. Senna + Psyllium

This combination will improve stool moisture in a case of dry stools. 

 

 

Worth doing

1. Include enough fiber in the diet

2. Have child drink fluids more often

3. Have child exercise often

4. Avoid having your child sit in one place for too long. If on a long journey, find time to stretch and walk around.

5. Compare over-the-counter laxatives using the comparison tool of this app.

 

 

Last updated by pharmacist on 02/17/2016

Back


Compare Laxatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
Article photo

Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

What if your child is currently experiencing the condition listed below?

Or if you have a question for the pharmacist?
Pharmacist


You have a question

Please contact the pharmacist. He or she will gladly answer your questions.

Contacting the pharmacist

You may have to unlock the contact form using social networking tools (facebook, twitter, google+, linkedIn) we have made available to you.

If you can't do this, you will have to wait a few seconds depending on the number of users at the time.

Contact Pharmacist


What to expect

Expect a reply as soon as possible.
If the authoring pharmacist cannot reply within 24 hours, the system will push your email to the rest of the team. Any available pharmacist will answer your question as soon as possible.

If you have a comment and not a question, please post it in the comments section for all to read.

What can't be done:

No replies to vulgar, disrespectful emails.
The system is programmed to look for certain words that are disrespectful and will automatically delete such emails. They don't get to the pharmacist. This will blacklist your email address automatically.

Email addresses or questions are not saved.
They are deleted once answered and not stored in a database. Should you need to follow up, copy the previous question(s) along with the new message for quick reference.

The pharmacist does not reply to emails that are not relevant to the topic he or she authored. They are forwarded to the author of the topic and are under no obligation to reply.

We encourage pharmacists to respond to questions but are under no obligations to answer questions.

 

 

 

 

 

No comments or ratings on this recommendation yet. How about being the first to say something?
Pharmacist

 

Leave a comment Why?


  • Let others know if the recommendation worked for your child.
  • Share the treatment outcome with others.
  • Add to the recommendation.
  • Improve on the recommendation.
  • Quickest way to ask a pharmacist a question.
  • What about answering a few questions?