Stimulant Laxatives

Conditions Treated

Stimulant laxatives are used to treat constipation or before rectal or bowel examinations or surgery. They work by increasing the movement in your bowel. They also are used to treat certain conditions of the intestinal tract.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Stimulant laxatives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• yellow-brown discoloration of urine
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• irritation
• stomach cramping

If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking stimulant laxatives and call your doctor immediately:

• bloody stools
• severe cramping
• pain
• weakness
• dizziness
• unusual tiredness
• rectal bleeding

Stimulant laxatives may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking a stimulant laxative.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Stimulant laxatives come in many different forms, including liquids, powders, granules, tablets, and suppositories. Follow the directions on your package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take stimulant laxatives exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Take stimulant laxatives on an empty stomach with a full 8-ounce (240-milliliter) glass of water. Results occur more slowly if the medicine is taken with food. Most stimulant laxatives are taken at bedtime, with results by morning; however, some products may take up to 24 hours to produce a bowel movement. Castor oil acts more quickly than the other laxatives, so do not take castor oil at bedtime. To avoid the bad taste of castor oil, chill it in the refrigerator and mix it with cold orange juice just before drinking. Castor oil should not be used routinely to treat constipation. Do not crush or chew bisacodyl tablets. Do not take them within 1 hour of drinking milk or taking antacids. If you are to insert a suppository, follow these steps:

Remove the wrapper.

Dip the tip of the suppository in lukewarm water.

Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)

Using your finger, insert the suppository high into your rectum. Hold it in place for a few moments. Try to keep it there for as long as possible.

Wash your hands thoroughly.

Do not use stimulant laxatives for longer than 1 week, unless your doctor tells you to. Do not take more than the recommended dose; overuse of stimulant laxatives may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor if you do not have a bowel movement after taking a stimulant laxative. Use of stimulant laxatives over a long period may lead to dependence. Overuse results in permanent damage to your intestine and colon. If your symptoms do not improve while using a stimulant laxative, call your doctor. Do not give a stimulant laxative to a child less than 10 years old, unless your doctor tells you to.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

A regular diet and exercise program is important for regular bowel function. Eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of liquids (six to eight glasses) each day. Avoid food that causes constipation, such as processed cheese. If you are on a low-sugar, low-calorie, or low-sodium diet, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking a stimulant laxative.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking stimulant laxatives, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to stimulant laxatives, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the laxative you plan to take. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.Be sure to mention any of the following: antacids; antibiotics; pain or seizure medicines; and medicines for depression, heart disease, or blood pressure. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or intestinal disease. talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking stimulant laxatives if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take stimulant laxatives over a long period of time because they are not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition,