Laxatives For Constipation: Types, Side Effects, And Misuse

Medical News Today

• Health Conditions

  Health Conditions

  • Alzheimer's & Dementia
  • Anxiety
  • Asthma & Allergies
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • COVID-19
  • Diabetes
  • Endometriosis
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Eye Health
  • Headache & Migraine
  • Health Equity
  • HIV & AIDS
  • Human Biology
  • Leukemia
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Nutrition
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Psoriasis
  • Sexual Health
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Women's Health
• Health Products

  Health Products

  All
  • Nutrition & Fitness
  • Vitamins & Supplements
  • CBD
  • Sleep
  • Mental Health
  • At-Home Testing
  • Men’s Health
  • Women’s Health
• Discover

  News

  • Latest News
  • Medicare 2026 Costs

  Original Series

  • Medical Myths
  • Honest Nutrition
  • Through My Eyes
  • New Normal Health

  Podcasts

  All
  • Is sleep the missing piece in mental health?
  • Artificial sweeteners and brain aging: What we know so far
  • Does the Mediterranean diet hold the key to longevity?
  • AMA: Registered dietitian answers 5 key questions about fiber and weight loss
  • Health misinformation and disinformation: How to avoid it
  • Brain health, sleep, diet: 3 health resolutions for 2025
• Tools

  General Health

  • Drugs A-Z
  • Health Hubs
  • Newsletter
  • Medicare Plans by State

  Health Tools

  • Find a Doctor
  • BMI Calculators and Charts
  • Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide
  • Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide
  • Sleep Calculator

  Quizzes

  • RA Myths vs Facts
  • Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction
• Connect

  About Medical News Today

  • Who We Are
  • Our Editorial Process
  • Content Integrity
  • Conscious Language

  Find Community

  • Bezzy Breast Cancer
  • Bezzy MS
  • Bezzy Migraine
  • Bezzy Psoriasis

  Follow Us

Subscribe

Human Biology

• Nervous system
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Immune system

Laxatives for constipation: All you need to knowMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — Written by Yvette Brazier — Updated on January 11, 2024

• What is constipation?
• Types
• Side effects
• Misuse
• Safety
• Takeaway

Some laxatives work by softening stools, while others work by increasing the bulk of stools with additional fiber. They help people empty their bowels and are common for constipation relief.

Most laxatives are available to buy over the counter and without a prescription. A person can take laxatives by mouth in the form of liquids, tablets, or capsules. An individual can also take them through the rectum — for example, with suppositories or enemas.

Some people need to move their bowels two to three times per day, while others go two to three times per week. There is no “normal” number of times. It is more important to notice changes in bowel habits.

Constipation is when stools become hard, making them difficult or painful to pass.

Fast facts on laxatives:

• Laxatives are commonly used to relieve constipation.
• Most are available without the need for a prescription.
• Some foods are known to have a laxative effect.
• Improving diet and increasing activity can help reduce constipation, and therefore reduce the need for laxatives.

What is constipation?

Share on Pinterest

Constipation can cause cramps in the abdomen and can make people feel bloated or sick. It can be separated into two different types:

• Primary constipation: This type is associated with slow intestinal movements caused by an anatomical issue. This is often associated with not consuming enough fiber or not drinking enough fluids.
• Secondary constipation: This type is associated with:
  • metabolic diseases, such as diabetes
  • neurologic diseases, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis
  • connective tissue disorders
  • eating disorders

Some medications can also contribute to constipation. These include:

• antidepressants
• iron
• bismuth
• anticholinergics
• opioids
• antacids
• calcium channel blockers
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• sympathomimetics
• antipsychotics

Types of laxatives

Different types of laxatives work in different ways. The choice of laxative will depend on a number of different factors.

There are four main types:

• Bulk-forming laxatives: Also known as fiber supplements, these work in the same way that fiber in the diet normally does. They increase the bulk of stools by getting them to retain liquid, which encourages the bowels to push them out. Adults with constipation should start taking bulk-forming laxatives as a first-line solution unless there is a specific reason not to do so. They usually take 12–24 hours to start working.
• Osmotic laxatives: These soften the stool by increasing the amount of water secreted into the bowels, making it easier to pass. They may take up to 2–3 days before they start to work.
• Stimulant laxatives: These stimulate the digestive tract walls, speeding up bowel movements. Usually, they take effect within 6–12 hours.
• Stool softener laxatives: These decrease the surface tension of stools so that they absorb more water, making them softer. Usually, they work within 12–72 hours.

There are also some less common types of laxatives:

• Lubricant laxatives: These lubricate the intestines by decreasing the amount of water absorbed by the intestines.
• Saline laxatives: These are used when there is no blockage in the bowels. Often, they are enemas used to empty the bowel before invasive procedures or surgery.
• Prokinetic laxatives: These are used for severe constipation in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic idiopathic constipation.

Side effects

Like any medication, laxatives can have side effects. Exactly which side effects a person may experience will depend on what type they are taking.

There are some common side effects, which include:

• flatulence
• cramps in the abdomen
• feeling sick
• bloating
• dehydration, which can cause lightheadedness, headaches, and darker urine

Most side effects will disappear once a person stops taking the medication. People can mostly avoid the side effects by starting on a low dose and increasing the dose gradually.

Serious side effects are rare. However, excessive or prolonged use of laxatives can cause diarrhea or intestinal obstruction, where stools become large and dry. Long-term use can also cause shifts in electrolytes.

Some laxatives react with other medications, so if a person is taking other drugs, it is best to check with a doctor before taking laxatives.

If symptoms get worse after taking laxatives, it is important to speak with a doctor.

Misuse

Individuals may take laxatives for the wrong reasons, and misuse is relatively common. For instance, some people attempt to lose weight through the frequent and repeated use of laxatives.

Often, this occurs after overeating under the mistaken belief that food and calories will be rushed through the body before they are absorbed. This is not the case, and laxative misuse can lead to a number of health complications.

People with anorexia and bulimia sometimes use large amounts of laxatives as part of a pattern of disordered food behavior.

While those misusing laxatives may notice weight loss, this is usually because of the loss of fluids. They do not reduce body mass, fat, or calories and can contribute to an eating disorder diagnosis.

Health complications associated with laxative misuse include:

• Imbalance of electrolytes and minerals, particularly potassium: These are necessary for the proper functioning of nerves and muscles, including the colon and heart. Imbalance can affect these organs.
• Dehydration: This can cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, and kidney damage. In extreme cases, it can lead to death.
• Laxative dependency: The colon stops reacting to usual doses, meaning larger and larger doses are required.
• Internal organ damage: The colon can become stretched and the muscle wall may become thin and flaccid.

Non-fiber-based laxative use has also been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, though more research is needed to fully understand this association.

Laxative misuse often requires medical help for both physical and mental treatment. A doctor will be able to give advice on this.

Safety

How someone takes laxatives and how often they take them will vary depending on the type.

Therefore, it is important to carefully read the instructions before taking laxatives. Anyone with concerns should always ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional.

There are also some other important things to consider:

• Drink plenty of fluids: Laxatives can cause dehydration. It is important to drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
• Avoid taking too much: Large doses of laxatives can lead to diarrhea and blockages in the bowels.

People should only take laxatives occasionally and for short periods of time. Those with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis should not take laxatives unless their doctor specifically said to do so.

Alternatives

There are some natural alternatives to laxatives and lifestyle changes that can help alleviate constipation:

• regular activity
• increasing daily intake of fiber
• drinking more water
• adding bulking agents, such as bran, to the diet

Takeaway

There are four main types of laxatives. These can be helpful in reducing constipation, but it is important to use them sparingly and only when necessary. Misuse of laxatives is a concern.

Some foods and lifestyle factors can have a laxative effect, such as increased activity and high fiber foods.

If a person lives with chronic constipation or over-the-counter medications are not working, they should talk with a doctor for advice on treatment. A person should always speak with a doctor before trying a laxative if they live with a gastrointestinal condition or are currently on any medications.

 

• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Citronberg, J. S., et al. (2018). Laxative type in relation to colorectal cancer risk.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6415945/
• El-Sharkawy, A. M., et al. (2015). Acute and chronic effects of hydration status on health.https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/73/suppl_2/97/1930742
• Gibson, D., et al. (2021). Personality characteristics and medical impact of stimulant laxative abuse in eating disorder patients — a pilot study.https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-021-00502-9
• Katelaris, P., et al. (2016). Comparison of the effectiveness of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes in constipation: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-016-0457-9
• Kubota, Y., et al. (2016). Bowel movement frequency, laxative use, and mortality from coronary heart disease and stroke among Japanese men and women: The Japan collaborative cohort (JACC) study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848322/
• Laxative abuse. (n.d.).https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/laxative-abuse-some-basic-facts
• Laxatives (2019).http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Laxatives/Pages/Introduction.aspx#Types
• Levinson, J. A., et al. (2020). Diet pill and laxative use for weight control and subsequent incident eating disorder in US young women: 2001-2016 [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31751147/
• Noergaard, M., et al. (2019). Long term treatment with stimulant laxatives - clinical evidence for effectiveness and safety? [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30700194/
• Werth, B. L., et al. (2021). Laxative use in the community: A literature review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7796417/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — Written by Yvette Brazier — Updated on January 11, 2024

Latest news

• 6-week keto diet may help with treatment-resistant depression
• Shingles vaccination linked to lower dementia risk, more evidence suggests
• AI model offers earlier dementia warnings and better brain cancer detection
• Could being a night owl or early bird affect weight loss and muscle strength?
• AI-applied CT abdominal scans may predict fall risk years in advance

Related Coverage

• Amitiza interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

  Learn about interactions between Amitiza and other medications, supplements, foods, alcohol, and more.

  READ MORE
• Topamax side effects: Managing constipation and related issues

  Topamax (topiramate) may cause constipation and digestive issues in some people. Find out how common these side effects are and how to manage them.

  READ MORE
• Ozempic constipation: Managing a common side effect

  Learn about constipation with Ozempic (semaglutide), including possible causes, prevention, treatment options, and when to talk with a doctor.

  READ MORE
• What to know about constipation causing weight gain

  Constipation may cause temporary weight gain in some people. Learn why this happens, what to do about it, and more.

  READ MORE
• Can teething cause constipation? What to knowMedically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R.N., CCRN, CPN

  Teething and constipation are not directly connected, but there are reasons why babies may experience them both at the same time. Read more.

  READ MORE