Laxatives - Introduction

Laxatives are a type of medicine that can help you empty your bowels if you are having trouble going to the toilet. They can be used to ease constipation and are available over the counter (without a prescription) from pharmacies and supermarkets.

Most people can use laxatives. Ideally, they should only be used for short periods of time, as prolonged use can make your body dependent on them, so your bowel no longer functions normally without them.

How laxatives work

There are several types of laxative that work in different ways. The four main types are:

• Bulk-forming laxatives, also known as fibre supplements, work in the same way as dietary fibre. They increase the bulk of your stools by helping your stools to retain fluid. This encourages your bowel to contract and move your faeces along. They take a few days to work and are taken by mouth as powders, granules or tablets.
• Stimulant laxatives speed up the movement of your bowel by stimulating the muscles that line your digestive tract. They usually take 6-12 hours to work, and come in many different forms, including tablets, liquids and suppositories or enemas (which are introduced through the anus).
• Osmotic laxatives make your stools softer by increasing the amount of water in your bowels. They usually take a few days to work and come in several different forms, including powders, liquids and enemas.
• Stool softener laxatives add water to your stools to lubricate them, making them more slippery and easier to pass. They are taken as capsules or enemas, and usually take one to two days to work.

Names

Names of the different laxatives include:

• Fybogel, Celevac, Normacol (bulk-forming laxatives)
• Dulcolax, Normax, Senokot (stimulant laxatives)
• Movicol, Carbalax, Microlette (osmotic laxatives)
• Docusol, Dulcoease (stool softener laxatives)