|
Brand name
|
Active Ingredients |
Instructions |
Comments |
 |
Docusate Sodium 100 mg |
1 to 2 pills once a day with water |
Stool softener. Available in liquid form |
 |
Bisacodyl 5 mg |
1 to 2 pills once a day with water |
Stimulant |
 |
Senna 8.6 mg |
2 tablets once a day with water |
Stimulant. Available in liquid syrup |
 |
Senna 8.6 mg Docusate Sodium 100 mg |
2 tablets once a day with water |
Stool softener and stimulant |
 |
Glycerin |
Insert 1 suppository a day |
Effect can be quick |
 |
Bisacodyl 10 mg |
Insert 1 suppository a day |
Effect can be quick |
 |
Milk of magnesia |
1 to 4 tablespoons at bedtime |
Can take magnesium oxide 500 mg tablets 2 to 4 per day |
 |
Magnesium Citrate 5 gm |
1 sachet dissolved in water 1-3 times a day |
Avoid if kidney conditions |
 |
Magnesium Citrate 296 ml |
1 bottle once |
For periodic severe constipation. Not for daily use. Avoid in kidney conditions. Lemon flavor |
 |
Sterculia (bulk forming)/ Frangula (mild stimulant laxative) |
1-2 sachets 1-2 times a day after meals |
Effective but can be difficult to ingest as granules. Drink plenty of water |
 |
Polyethylene glycol |
1 sachet 1-3 times a day |
Works only in a subset of patient |
 |
Polyethylene glycol |
1 cap full (17 gm) dissolved in 1 cup of water once daily |
Take at night time |
 |
Lactulose |
1-2 tablespoons 1-2 times per day |
Effective but can cause bloating |
-
Before you resort to laxatives and stimulants, increase dietary fiber intake [see High Fiber Foods] and try a fiber supplement [see Fiber Supplements]
-
For stool softeners and stimulants that you take once a day, try to take in the evening before bedtime
-
For laxatives, best to use during daytime
-
If you have kidney disease or heart conditions, consult with your doctor as you cannot take some of the laxatives such as those containing magnesium
- Above recommended doses are for age 15 years and older
Above recommendations are generic recommendations for constipation but do not constitute an alternative to a proper medical evaluation by a physician to assess your condition. It is important to note that some patients with constipation may have more serious conditions that require different treatment.