Lubricating Laxatives

For over the counter, there are different categories of medication to alleviate constipation.
- Fiber supplements are the safest medication and add bulk to the stool (Recommended to drink lots of water when taking these supplements). Fiber supplements include Metamucil and Fibercon.
- Lubricating laxatives help to move the stool through the colon. One lubricating supplement is mineral oil.
- Stool softeners moisten the stool. Examples of stool softeners are Colace and Surfak.
- Bowel stimulants stimulate the bowel muscles resulting in contractions in the intestines. Examples of bowel stimulants include Senokot, Correctol, and Dulcolax.
- Senna Plus is a combination stool softener and bowel stimulant.
- Hydrating agents draw water into the intestines. Examples of hydrating agents are milk of magnesia, Haley's MO, magnesium citrate, and miralax.

Three prescription medications your physician may prescribe are:
- Osmotic agents (Lactulose, Cephulac,and Sorbitol) which work by pulling water into the intestines, and therefore softening the stool.
- Chloride channel activators (lubiprostone - Amitiza) increase fluid content of the stool.
- Prucalopride assists in gastro-intestinal motility.

Medications should be a last resort for dealing with constipation. Your body starts to depend on the laxatives, so over-the-counter medications should be used sparingly.

Contact your physician right away if you have not had a bowel movement in 2 or more days or if longer than your regular bowel movements. For over the counter, there are different categories of medication to alleviate constipation.
- Fiber supplements are the safest medication and add bulk to the stool (Recommended to drink lots of water when taking these supplements). Fiber supplements include Metamucil and Fibercon.
- Lubricating laxatives help to move the stool through the colon. One lubricating supplement is mineral oil.
- Stool softeners moisten the stool. Examples of stool softeners are Colace and Surfak.
- Bowel stimulants stimulate the bowel muscles resulting in contractions in the intestines. Examples of bowel stimulants include Senokot, Correctol, and Dulcolax.
- Senna Plus is a combination stool softener and bowel stimulant.
- Hydrating agents draw water into the intestines. Examples of hydrating agents are milk of magnesia, Haley's MO, magnesium citrate, and miralax.

Three prescription medications your physician may prescribe are:
- Osmotic agents (Lactulose, Cephulac,and Sorbitol) which work by pulling water into the intestines, and therefore softening the stool.
- Chloride channel activators (lubiprostone - Amitiza) increase fluid content of the stool.
- Prucalopride assists in gastro-intestinal motility.

Medications should be a last resort for dealing with constipation. Your body starts to depend on the laxatives, so over-the-counter medications should be used sparingly.

Contact your physician right away if you have not had a bowel movement in 2 or more days or if longer than your regular bowel movements.

To help manage constipation:
- drink 8 cups of water or other fluids each day
- be active every day
- eat high fiber foods such as fiber cereals, whole-grain breads, dried beans, raw vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts, and prune juice.
- don't rush and give yourself time to have bowel movements. To help manage constipation:
- drink 8 cups of water or other fluids each day
- be active every day
- eat high fiber foods such as fiber cereals, whole-grain breads, dried beans, raw vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts, and prune juice.
- don't rush and give yourself time to have bowel movements.