What are laxatives classify them with examples?

laxative, any drug used in the treatment of constipation to promote the evacuation of feces. Laxatives produce their effect by several mechanisms. The four main types of laxatives include: saline purgatives, fecal softeners, contact purgatives, and bulk laxatives.

What are the 5 types of laxatives?

These are the most common types.
  • Bulk-forming laxatives. These laxatives add “soluble” fiber to the stool. …
  • Lubricant laxatives. These coat the surface of the stools to make them slippery. …
  • Stool softeners. These help mix fluid into stools to soften them. …
  • Osmotic laxatives. …
  • Stimulant laxatives.

What are examples of osmotic laxatives?

Osmotic laxatives are medications that draw water into the stool, resulting in softer stools and more frequent, easier to pass bowel movements. Some commonly used osmotic laxatives include polyethylene glycol (PEG), milk of magnesia, and lactulose.

What are names of laxatives?

Examples of OTC stimulant laxatives include:
  • Dulcolax (bisacodyl)
  • Fleet (bisacodyl)
  • Senokot (senna)
  • Cascara.
  • Ex-lax (sennosides)
  • Castor oil.
  • Aloe.

What are the main types of laxatives and how do they work?

Stimulant laxatives: These stimulate the digestive tract walls, speeding up bowel movements. Usually, they take effect within 6–12 hours. Stool softener laxatives: These decrease the surface tension of stools so that they absorb more water, making them softer.

What is difference between laxative and purgative?

Purgatives or cathartic: are stronger action resulting in more fluid evacuation. Laxative and cathartics are used for: Relief of acute non dietary constipation. Removal poisons from the gastrointestinal tract.

What are the 4 types of laxatives?

There are 4 main types of laxatives.
  • Bulk-forming laxatives. Bulk-forming laxatives work by increasing the “bulk” or weight of poo, which in turn stimulates your bowel. …
  • Osmotic laxatives. …
  • Stimulant laxatives. …
  • Poo-softener laxatives.

What are laxatives used for?

Laxatives are a type of medicine that can help you empty your bowels if you’re having trouble going to the toilet. They’re widely used to treat constipation if lifestyle changes, such as increasing the amount of fibre in your diet, drinking plenty of fluid and taking regular exercise, haven’t helped.

What is the mechanism of action of laxatives?

The major mechanisms of action include enhancement of fluid retention by hydrophilic or osmotic mechanisms, decreasing net absorption of fluid through effects on the fluid and electrolyte transport in the small or large intestines, and finally an alteration of motility by inhibiting nonpropulsive contractions or …

What are the 4 types of laxatives?

There are 4 main types of laxatives.
  • Bulk-forming laxatives. Bulk-forming laxatives work by increasing the “bulk” or weight of poo, which in turn stimulates your bowel. …
  • Osmotic laxatives. …
  • Stimulant laxatives. …
  • Poo-softener laxatives.

What is the strongest laxative?

Stimulant laxatives such as Senokot (made from senna pods) and Dulcolax (active ingredient: bisacodyl) are the fastest-working oral laxatives, with overnight results. They stimulate the muscles lining your gut, helping to move things along.

Which laxative works immediately?

Quick relief: Saline laxatives tend to work very fast. Medium relief: Stimulant laxatives are fast-acting, but they still take some time to work. Slow relief: Other laxatives, including bulk-forming fibers, stool softeners, and guanylate cyclase-C agonist laxatives, take longer to work.

What is the best laxative for an elderly person?

Osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol (brand name Miralax) are well-tolerated by most older adults, and can be used daily.

What are laxatives used for?

Laxatives are a type of medicine that can help you empty your bowels if you’re having trouble going to the toilet. They’re widely used to treat constipation if lifestyle changes, such as increasing the amount of fibre in your diet, drinking plenty of fluid and taking regular exercise, haven’t helped.

What is best natural laxative?

People often tout prunes and prune juice as nature’s remedy for constipation — and for good reason. Prunes may be the most accessible natural solution available. In addition to fiber, prunes contain sorbitol. This is a sugar alcohol that has a laxative effect ( 56 , 57 ).

Is caffeine a laxative?

Is coffee a diuretic or laxative? Coffee can be a diuretic and a laxative for some people. Regular coffee contains caffeine, which is a diuretic. For people who feel the urge to poop after drinking coffee, it acts as a mild laxative as well.

Are laxatives a drug?

Laxatives are drugs that relieve constipation by loosening stools or inducing a bowel movement. Some laxatives are also used before bowel procedures or examinations. Laxatives come as pills, capsules, liquids, foods, gums, suppositories, and enemas. Most laxatives are intended for short-term use.

What type of laxative is senna?

Senna is used on a short-term basis to treat constipation. It also is used to empty the bowels before surgery and certain medical procedures. Senna is in a class of medications called stimulant laxatives. It works by increasing activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.

What type of laxative is Dulcolax?

Bisacodyl is known as a stimulant laxative. It works by increasing the movement of the intestines, helping the stool to come out.

What is the difference in laxatives?

A laxative defines any medicine that facilitates a bowel movement which includes a broad range designed to treat varying levels of severity. A stool softener is a mild (OTC) over-the-counter laxative used to soften the stool for easier passage and less strain.

What is the difference between laxative and constipation?

Because many different things can cause constipation, laxatives work in different ways to resolve your constipation. Some work on your stool, some work on your intestine, and others work on both your stool and intestine. All laxatives are used to relieve constipation.