Stimulant Laxatives: Uses And Side Effects - Healthline
Maybe your like
- Health Conditions
Health Conditions
All- Breast Cancer
- Cancer Care
- Caregiving for Alzheimer's Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Heart Health
- Menopause
- Mental Health
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Sleep Health
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Weight Management
Condition Spotlight
All
Controlling Ulcerative Colitis
Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder
Mastering Geographic Atrophy
Managing Type 2 Diabetes
- Wellness
Wellness Topics
All- CBD
- Fitness
- Healthy Aging
- Hearing
- Mental Well-Being
- Nutrition
- Parenthood
- Recipes
- Sexual Health
- Skin Care
- Sleep Health
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Women's Wellness
Product Reviews
All- At-Home Testing
- Men's Health
- Mental Health
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Women's Health
Featured Programs
All
Your Guide to Glucose Health
Inflammation and Aging
Cold & Flu Season Survival Guide
She’s Good for Real
- Tools
Featured
- Video Series
- Pill Identifier
- FindCare
- Drugs A-Z
- Medicare Plans by State
Lessons
All- Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Essentials
- Diabetes Nutrition
- High Cholesterol
- Taming Inflammation in Psoriasis
- Taming Inflammation in Psoriatic Arthritis
Newsletters
All- Anxiety and Depression
- Digestive Health
- Heart Health
- Migraine
- Nutrition Edition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Wellness Wire
Lifestyle Quizzes
- Find a Diet
- Find Healthy Snacks
- Weight Management
- How Well Do You Sleep?
- Are You a Workaholic?
- Featured
Health News
All- Medicare 2026 Changes
- Can 6-6-6 Walking Workout Help You Lose Weight?
- This Couple Lost 118 Pounds Together Without Medication
- 5 Science-Backed Ways to Live a Longer Life
- Morning Coffee May Help You Live Longer
This Just In
- 5 Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle
- How to Disinfect Your House After the Flu
- Best Vegan and Plant-Based Meal Delivery for 2025
- Does Medicare Cover Pneumonia Shots?
- Chromosomes, Genetics, and Your Health
Top Reads
- Best Multivitamins for Women
- Best Multivitamins for Men
- Best Online Therapy Services
- Online Therapy That Takes Insurance
- Buy Ozempic Online
- Mounjaro Overview
Video Series
- Youth in Focus
- Healthy Harvest
- Through an Artist's Eye
- Future of Health
- Connect
Find Your Bezzy Community
Bezzy communities provide meaningful connections with others living with chronic conditions. Join Bezzy on the web or mobile app.
All
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Depression
Migraine
Type 2 Diabetes
Psoriasis
Follow us on social media
Can't get enough? Connect with us for all things health.
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on September 15, 2018- Constipation
- Side effects
- Risks
- Warnings
- Brand names
- Takeaway
What is a stimulant laxative?
Laxatives help you pass stool (have a bowel movement). There are five basic types of laxatives:
- Stimulant. Stimulant laxatives trigger the intestines to contract and push out the stool.
- Osmotic. Osmotic laxatives draw water into the bowel from the surrounding tissues to soften stools and increase bowel movement frequency.
- Bulk-forming. These laxatives contain fiber which soaks up the water in your intestines and produces bulkier stool. Larger stool makes the bowel contract and push out the stool.
- Stool softeners. These mild laxatives soften dry, hard stool with water that they pull into the stool from the intestine, making it easier to push out the stool.
- Lubricants. These oily laxatives coat the surface of the stool to retain stool fluid and make it easier to push out the stool.
The active ingredient in stimulant laxatives is usually either senna (also known as sennosides) or bisacodyl.
Can stimulant laxatives be used for constipation?
Stimulant laxatives can be used to treat constipation. They can be one of the faster acting types of laxative.
Constipation
Healthy humans typically have bowel movements (BMs) between three times a week to three times a day. While doctors consider less than three bowel movements a week as constipation, there are other symptoms to consider, in addition to frequency.
Symptoms also associated with constipation include:
- difficulty passing BMs
- hard BM consistency
- abdominal cramping
- feelings of incomplete bowel movement
Untreated, chronic constipation might lead to fecal impaction. This condition occurs when your rectum becomes obstructed with a clog of fecal matter.
What are the side effects of using stimulant laxatives?
Some of the side effects that you can experience with stimulant laxatives include:
- burping
- abdominal cramping
- diarrhea
- nausea
Also, you might notice that your urine turns a brownish-red color when you’re taking a laxative that uses senna.
As always, discuss the side effects from any medication you’re taking with your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects while taking stimulant laxatives:
- irregular heartbeat
- faintness
- confusion
- muscle aches
- fatigue or weakness
- skin rash
When to avoid stimulant laxatives
You shouldn’t use a stimulant laxative if:
- you’ve had a previous allergic reaction to any stimulant laxatives
- you’ve any sort of intestinal blockage
- you’re experiencing undiagnosed rectal bleeding
- you’re experiencing signs of appendicitis (severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting)
Also, before using a stimulant laxative, talk with your doctor about your current health conditions, especially:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
And let your doctor know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Warnings about stimulant laxatives
- Do not use stimulant laxatives for more than a week unless specifically advised by your doctor to do so.
- Understand that stimulant laxatives can be habit forming and can be harmful to your bowels if used for an extended period of time.
- Don’t give stimulant laxatives to a child under the age of 6 unless instructed to do so by the child’s pediatrician.
- Follow the directions on the label unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
What are some brand names of stimulant laxatives?
At your drugstore, you’ll find many brands of stimulant laxatives in a variety of forms, such as liquids, powders, chewables, tablets, and suppositories. Here are some brand names:
- Ex-Lax (sennosides)
- Senexon (sennosides)
- Fletcher’s Castoria (sennosides)
- Senokot (sennosides)
- Black Draught (sennosides)
- Feen-A Mint (bisacodyl)
- Correctol (bisacodyl)
- Dulcolax (bisacodyl)
- Carter’s Little Pills (bisacodyl)
The takeaway
Constipation can be very uncomfortable and worrisome. Stimulant laxatives work, for many people, as an effective treatment for constipation. These laxatives function by causing the intestinal muscles to rhythmically contract and help push out, or “stimulate” a bowel movement.
As with many medications, there are risks. Always discuss laxative use with your doctor, and follow their recommendations.
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesHealthline 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.- Bisacodyl. (2018).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601027.html
- Laxative, Stimulant (By mouth). (n.d.)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0010875/
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Over-the-counterlaxatives for constipation: Use with caution.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/in-depth/laxatives/art-20045906
- Paré P, et al. (2014). Systematic review ofstimulant and nonstimulant laxatives for the treatment of functionalconstipation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4234355/
- Senna. (2018).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601112.html
Share this article
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on September 15, 2018Read this next
- Common Side Effects of LaxativesMedically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D.
While laxatives and stool softeners can help you overcome a bout of constipation, these medications come with side effects. We’ll cover common side…
READ MORE - What Are Bulk-Forming Laxatives?Medically reviewed by Nancy Choi, MD
Bulk-forming laxatives such as Metamucil and FiberCon may help you find relief from constipation. Before you start taking them, learn about their…
READ MORE - How Fast Do Laxatives Work and How Long Do They Last?Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D.
Laxatives are used to treat constipation and there are many different products available to use. Learn about the different types of laxatives, how…
READ MORE - MiraLAX: Your Reddit Questions Answered
Searching Reddit for MiraLAX advice? Get the facts on safety, potential dangers for adults, and how this osmotic laxative differs from stimulant…
READ MORE - Kiwi, Specific Supplements May Improve Chronic Constipation, New Guidelines Say
New dietary guidelines for chronic constipation released by the British Dietetic Association identify specific foods, like kiwifruit, as well as…
READ MORE - The Connection Between Constipation and Gas, and How to Treat It
Here's what you need to know about the connection between constipation and flatulence, as well as how to relieve it and when to see a doctor.
READ MORE - Will Drinking Water Help to Treat Constipation?
Drinking enough water is important to staying hydrated, which can prevent constipation or lessen its symptoms. Here's what you need to know.
READ MORE - Scrolling on Your Phone While on the Toilet Raises Your Risk of Hemorrhoids
New research suggests that people who scroll on their phone while sitting on the toilet are 46% more likely to develop hemorrhoids.
READ MORE - How Long Does Constipation Last?
Constipation usually goes away in a few days or a few weeks. Certain lifestyle measures or over-the-counter medications can help resolve it. Depending…
READ MORE - Can Dieting Cause Constipation?Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH
Some eating plans for weight loss can cause constipation. Learn what factors may contribute and tips for reducing constipation while dieting.
READ MORE
Tag » Why Do Laxatives Cause Cramping
-
Laxatives Side Effects: Understanding The Risks - Healthline
-
Laxative (Oral Route) Precautions - Mayo Clinic
-
Laxative (Oral Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic
-
Is It Normal To Have Stomach Cramps After Taking A Laxative? - Quora
-
Laxative Overdose Information | Mount Sinai - New York
-
Laxatives For Constipation: Types, Side Effects, And Misuse
-
5 Things That Happen When You Use Laxatives - Bustle
-
Abdominal Pain Caused By Laxatives - Healthfully
-
Which Laxative Is Right For Me? | Phillips'®
-
Laxatives - NHS
-
Laxative - An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics
-
[PDF] Laxative Use: What To Know - Cornell Health
-
User Reviews For Women's Laxative (bisacodyl) Oral - WebMD
-
Laxatives For Constipation: Treatments, Use, Safety - WebMD