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Health

Pills against constipation

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 10.08.2022
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How to choose the right pill for constipation, if there are dozens of drugs on the shelves of pharmacies? Are all laxatives medicines the same, or are there differences in their effectiveness?

Certainly, any sensible person, choosing laxative tablets from constipation, wants to receive, first of all, a natural and safe medicine that does not provoke addiction and gently affects the intestines. Of course, it will be better to consult a doctor. However, general and useful information about some laxatives you can find in our article.

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Indications for use of tablets against constipation

  • Difficulties of defecation, stimulation of the natural rhythm of cleansing of the large intestine at the phenomena of atony, with disturbances and changes in the diet or lifestyle.
  • Targeted liquefaction of feces and their removal from the intestine, as part of treatment or therapeutic manipulation (with inflammation of the anal sphincter, before and after surgery on the intestine and other organs of the abdominal cavity, before colonoscopy or fluoroscopy, before delivery).
  • Some diseases of the liver and digestive system, requiring frequent or urgent bowel evacuation.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of laxatives

Intestinal medications manifest themselves as a result of irritation of the sensitive nerve endings of the intestine, which leads to the activation of peristaltic movements. In most cases, after taking such substances after 6-10 h, a single act of defecation occurs.

Prebiotics can be called a natural laxative, which stabilizes the balance of microflora in the intestine. As a result, a natural restoration of the intestinal function takes place. The laxative effect is cumulative, but after taking a single maximum allowable dose, defecation is expected for one and a half to two hours.

Preparations of osmotic activity are designed to retain fluid in the intestinal cavity, which helps in liquefaction of stool and rapid removal of them from the intestine. After taking such drugs, the osmotic pressure in the digestive system rises, causing water to enter the lower parts.

Preparations-fillers of the intestine are specific substances capable of swelling and increasing in size, being absorbed by water and stretching intestinal walls. In order for these drugs to be effective, it is required against the background of their intake to increase the volume of the liquid being drunk (at least 2 liters), only in this case the means will have their effect. The effect is most often expected within 24-48 hours.

Names of tablets from constipation

Tableted and other forms of drugs that relieve constipation are usually divided according to the mechanism of action:

  • osmotic substances;
  • intestinal irritants;
  • medications with prebiotics;
  • intestinal fillers.

The mechanism of action is fundamentally important in the selection of the drug, depending on what the purpose of treatment is being pursued.

  • Intestinal irritants are drugs that act almost instantly after administration. Usually they are used at night with a weak peristalsis. By the morning the positive effect is guaranteed. To irritating tablets are:
  1. hay tablets from constipation (dry senna extract);
  2. senade (herbal preparation based on Senna);
  3. phytolax (complex herbal preparation);
  4. bisakodil (tablets against bloating and constipation of contact action);
  5. senadexin (contains calcium solsennosides);
  6. German preparation Midro Tee.
  • Prebiotic drugs are the most optimal pill for constipation for children and people with dysbacteriosis. Prebiotics include:
  1. Normase;
  2. Dufalac;
  3. Lactovite.
  • Osmotic laxative tablets are salt remedies that are permissible for long-term use and do not cause habituation. Tablets from constipation in elderly patients are often represented by osmotic drugs. Of the most common drugs in this group can be identified:
  1. magnesia sulfate;
  2. Karlovy Vary salt;
  3. Macrogol;
  4. Mikrolaks;
  5. citrate.
  • Amount-fillers are synthetic or vegetable tablets against constipation that create a volume in the intestines, thereby stimulating natural emptying. The main drugs of this group are:
  1. flax-seed;
  2. bran;
  3. ICC;
  4. Fleavort;
  5. Sterkulia;
  6. seed of plantain.

Electronic tablet from constipation

The electronic normalizing agent for constipation is a relatively new specific device that is designed to correct the function of the digestive system while improving the blood composition and activity of almost all organs. The tablet is an oral capsule with a microprocessor. The manufacturer of the miracle capsule promises comfortable and safe correction and stimulation of all weakened systems of the body.

The tablet is swallowed whole, in the morning. It is advisable to carry out the procedure on a day off to be able to cope with possible unpleasant sensations after taking the capsule. Half an hour later and for several hours after ingestion, spastic contractions of the abdominal wall and limbs are possible.

Capsule is used once, its effect can last about 50 hours. Removal of the drug occurs with feces after 2-5 days.

The electronic tablet is not used:

  • with internal bleeding;
  • with a mechanical obstruction in the intestine;
  • with calculous cholecystitis, pyelonephritis;
  • during pregnancy;
  • with exacerbation of peptic ulcer;
  • if there are built-in stimulants.

The tablet can be used not only inside, but also in the form of rectal suppositories.

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Midro Tee tea from constipation

Midro Tee tea is an effective and soft laxative that can eliminate even the most persistent constipation without harm to the body.

The tea composition includes crushed leaves of senna, mint, cumin seeds, as well as licorice and mallow.

Tea can be boiled and boiled for 20 minutes, then used at night. In addition, chewing and swallowing of the leaves that form the basis of tea, as well as the consumption of dry mass inside, washed with yogurt or water. The maximum daily dosage is 1 tablespoon of a dry mixture of herbs.

The laxative effect usually occurs 8-12 hours after drinking tea or dry leaves, so it is advisable to use the herbal collection before bed.

Next, we will consider the main characteristics of the most common medications for constipation.

Method and dosage of tablets against constipation

Tablets, irritating the intestinal wall, take 1 pc. At night. In case of inefficiency, 2 tablets are allowed.

Prebiotics are taken before or during meals, one to three times a day.

Osmotic laxatives are taken on an empty stomach, previously dissolved in 100 ml of liquid.

Dosing of enteric tablets is calculated individually.

Before taking any medication, you should carefully read the instructions.

Use of tablets against constipation during pregnancy

During pregnancy, take laxatives without the advice of a doctor is very risky. The fact is that medications that increase peristalsis of the intestine can simultaneously raise the tone of the uterus, which, in turn, can lead to spontaneous abortion, or premature labor.

Salt laxatives, which violate the water-salt balance in a woman's body, are especially dangerous. Such drugs are not prescribed during the period of gestation.

The most safe for pregnant women are prebiotics and pill-fillers of the intestine - not sucked into the systemic bloodstream, they cause a soft and natural emptying of the intestine.

Most often in pregnancy, they are prescribed:

  1. Dufalac;
  2. Normolact;
  3. Lactulose;
  4. Lactovit forte.

The use of these drugs is possible only after a medical consultation.

Contraindications to the use of tablets against constipation

Tablets that irritate intestinal receptors are not prescribed:

  • for long reception;
  • during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  • to small children;
  • with pain in the abdomen of an unknown origin;
  • in the acute stage of hemorrhoids or proctitis;
  • with painful cracks in the anal opening;
  • with internal hemorrhages;
  • inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;
  • with intestinal obstruction;
  • with strangulated hernia;
  • in disorders of electrolyte metabolism.

Prebiotic drugs are not prescribed during intestinal obstruction, with lactose intolerance, with diabetes (only under the supervision of a doctor).

Osmotic pills are contraindicated in food and drug intoxication, acute forms of constipation.

Filling intestinal laxative tablets are not used in irritated bowels, with intestinal obstruction, as well as in bedridden patients.

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Side effects

Intestinal irritating tablets can cause the following side effects:

  • depletion of intestinal sensitivity, atony;
  • failure of water-salt metabolism;
  • "Addictive";
  • intestinal pain.

Prebiotic agents practically do not cause side effects. Sometimes a temporary bloating, which takes place approximately on the third day of taking the drug, is possible.

Osmotic agents can cause disorders of electrolytic exchange, dehydration, pain in the abdomen.

Intestinal preparations can lead to increased gas production.

Overdose of tablets against constipation

Symptoms of pill overdose against constipation can be:

Abdominal pain as colic;

Profuse diarrhea, dehydration.

Treatment of an overdose: withdrawal of laxatives, symptomatic therapy, compensation for fluid loss.

Interactions with other drugs

Laxatives should not be combined with diuretics, because of the possibility of dehydration.

When combined, the effect of antiarrhythmic agents and salicylates may be enhanced.

Absorption of antibiotics may be impaired.

Storage conditions and shelf life

Most of the drugs from constipation are kept at room temperature, away from children's access.

Prebiotics should preferably be stored at low temperatures, for example in a refrigerator. You can not freeze medicines.

Shelf life - from 2 to 3 years, depending on the specific preparation.

When problems begin with bowel movement, first of all we think about what effective pill for constipation can be bought at the pharmacy. Among a huge assortment, many immediately pay attention to the cheapest tablets from constipation (for example, Bisacodyl or Senna leaf), while others are looking for expensive means of well-known pharmaceutical companies. Nevertheless, one must understand that the treatment of intestinal problems should begin with the elimination of the root cause of constipation - from the search for the very factor that affected the development of malfunctions with the act of defecation. Independently to find out the reason it is absolutely uneasy, therefore it is recommended to pass or take place full inspection at the expert who also will appoint or nominate the further treatment, including suitable tablets from a constipation.

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Pills against constipation" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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