![]() ![]() Over-the-counterlaxatives for constipation: Use with caution. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. If you find yourself in this situation, your doctor should have suggestions on how to remedy laxative dependency and restore your colon’s ability to contract. Overuse of laxatives (other than bulk formers) can result in the intestines losing muscle and nerve response, which can lead to dependency on laxatives to have a bowel movement. ![]() Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile a yellow-green fluid that digests fats in. Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Talk with your doctor before using any laxative. All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. If you’re breastfeeding, some ingredients can pass to your baby through your breast milk, possibly causing diarrhea or other problems. Diarrhea can also lead to electrolyte imbalance. If laxative use results in diarrhea, your body can become dehydrated. If your constipation is caused by another condition - such as diverticulosis - frequent or long-term laxative use can worsen constipation by decreasing your colon’s ability to contract. But to be safe, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the laxative you’re considering and how it might interact with the other medications you’ve been prescribed. If you’re considering using laxatives, understand that risks can include: Interaction with other medicationsĪmong other medications, laxatives can interact with certain heart medications, antibiotics, and bone medications. ![]() Just because laxatives are available OTC doesn’t mean that they’re without risks. Taken rectally, these suppositories soften stool and trigger rhythmic contractions of the intestinal muscles. Taken orally, stimulants encourage bowel movements by triggering rhythmic contractions of the intestinal muscles. Popular brands of stool softeners include: Taken orally, stool softeners work like the name implies - they make hard stools softer and easier to pass with less strain. Taken orally, bulk formers prompt normal intestinal muscle contraction by absorbing water to form a soft, bulky stool. Taken orally, osmotics help make the passage of stool easier by drawing water into the colon. There are five primary types of over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives: Oral osmotics Laxatives are a group of medicines that are used to treat constipation. ![]()
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