Stimulant Laxatives: Uses And Side Effects - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Nutrition

What are the Uses and Side Effects of Stimulant Laxatives?

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, 2018

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media