Laxative pills for weight loss

Many people who want to lose weight tend to believe that constipation remedies can help them achieve their cherished goal. What is the reason for this, and do laxative pills really help with weight loss?

Almost all teas and food supplements that are positioned as weight loss products contain laxative components. Their purpose is to eliminate stool stagnation in the intestines, thereby lightening the body by 1-3 kg at a time. Therefore, do not delude yourself: the main purpose of laxatives is not to “burn” fat, or even speed up metabolism, but simply to cleanse the intestines.

Indications laxative diet pills

There is an opinion among those losing weight that well-functioning intestines are a sign of good metabolism. This is not entirely true: most likely, daily regular bowel movements indicate only normal functioning of the digestive and evacuation functions of the digestive system. At the same time, it is necessary to normalize the bowel movements not with laxatives, but with proper nutrition, physical activity, sufficient consumption of liquids and plant products.

If you constantly take laxative pills for weight loss, then your body weight can actually decrease, but not due to a decrease in the fat layer, but due to the removal of retained feces from the body, as well as liquid with liquid feces. And this is not entirely harmless.

Along with moisture, beneficial intestinal bacteria are “washed out” of the intestines, and electrolytic metabolism is disrupted. Moreover, most laxative tablets sooner or later cause addiction, intestinal atony: subsequently, stronger drugs will be required for normal bowel movement.

Laxative tablets are prescribed only for the treatment of certain intestinal diseases, poisoning or helminthiasis, and also for cleansing the digestive system before certain procedures and operations. It is highly undesirable to use laxative tablets for weight loss.

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Release form

There are several categories of laxative tablets that have different mechanisms of laxative action.

• Laxative tablets that cause fluid to flow into the intestines. As a result, the stool softens and increases in volume. Tablets such as CMC fall into this category.

MCC
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Microcrystalline cellulose is not only a laxative tablet for weight loss, but also a valuable source of dietary fiber. The drug gently stimulates defecation, binds and removes toxic substances. The action of the tablets occurs only in the intestinal cavity.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	The possibility of using MCC during pregnancy has not been studied.
Contraindications for use	Facts about cellulose intolerance, pregnancy.
Side effects	Allergies, discomfort in the abdominal area, loss of appetite.
How to use laxative tablets for weight loss	Take up to 6 tablets 15-25 minutes before meals, three times a day. Duration of treatment is 1 month, then after a 10-day break the course can be repeated.
Overdose	It didn't happen.
Interactions with other drugs	Consult your doctor regarding interactions with other medications.
Storage conditions and shelf life	MCCs can be stored for up to 2 years under normal conditions.

• Laxative tablets that soften feces due to the oils present in the preparations. Such preparations include capsules with flaxseed, pumpkin and other vegetable oils.

Linseed oil
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Capsules with flaxseed oil have a mild laxative effect, eliminate inflammation and vascular diseases, improve the condition of the skin and hair. Kinetic properties have not been studied.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	It is allowed to take it in doses recommended by the doctor.
Contraindications for use	Hypersensitivity to the composition of the capsules.
Side effects	Not described.
How to take laxative tablets for weight loss	For a laxative effect, take 3 capsules with flaxseed oil in the morning and evening with food. Duration of administration is 30-60 days. The course can be repeated up to 2 times a year.
Overdose	Diarrhea, abdominal pain.
Interaction with other medications	It is not advisable to take it together with other oil-based medications.
Storage conditions and shelf life	Capsules can be stored for up to one and a half years in a cool place.

• Osmotic laxative tablets that increase pressure in the intestinal cavity. Among such drugs, the most well-known are Dufalac and Forlax.

Duphalac
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Laxative tablets based on lactulose contribute to an increase in the intestinal osmotic pressure, which leads to fluid retention in the intestine, an increase in the volume of feces, increased motility and evacuation activity. Lactulose is not absorbed by the intestinal walls.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	No negative effects of lactulose on pregnancy have been identified, however, during this period it is still recommended to take Dufalac syrup rather than tablets.
Contraindications for use	Tendency to allergies to the composition of laxative tablets, galactosemia.
Side effects	Increased gas formation, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
How to take laxative tablets for weight loss	Dufalac is taken 1 or 2 times a day, 1-2 pieces. Usually the course lasts for several days.
Overdose	Abdominal pain, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance.
Interactions with other medications	No testing was conducted.
Storage conditions and shelf life	Dufalac is stored for up to 3 years in room conditions, out of reach of children.

Forlax
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	A laxative drug based on macrogol, the action of which is explained by the retention of fluid in the intestinal cavity, which, in turn, facilitates the process of defecation. The effect of the drug is observed 1-2 days after administration.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	Can be prescribed during pregnancy.
Contraindications for use	Allergic organism, colitis, Crohn's disease, probability of mechanical or spastic obstruction, probability of intestinal perforation, unspecified cause of abdominal pain.
Side effects	Increased gas formation and release, nausea, diarrhea.
How to use laxative tablets for weight loss	The medicine can be taken 1-2 pcs. daily, at one time, with food. It is not recommended to take the medicine for more than 3 months.
Overdose	Acute diarrhea.
Interactions with other drugs	Taken separately from any medications.
Storage conditions and shelf life	Store for 3 years at room temperature, out of reach of children.

• Laxative tablets that irritate the intestinal walls, thereby increasing peristalsis. Such tablets include bisacodyl, elimin, dibrolax.

Bisacodyl
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Laxative tablets that irritate intestinal receptors, which leads to increased motility and increased mucus secretion. The tablets take effect after approximately 6-8 hours.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	Allowed with caution, under the supervision of a doctor.
Contraindications for use	Allergic predisposition of the body, intestinal obstruction, hernia strangulation, colitis, undiagnosed pathologies of the abdominal cavity, inflammation of the appendix, peritonitis, hemorrhoids, bleeding.
Side effects	Diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, allergies, intestinal spasms.
How to use laxative tablets for weight loss	Take 1 tablet at night or in the morning on an empty stomach. The drug should be washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid.
Overdose	Diarrhea with dehydration, intestinal atony.
Interactions with other drugs	Do not use with antacids, dairy products and alkaline waters.
Storage conditions and shelf life	The tablets can be stored for up to 3 years in a dry place.

Dulcolax
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Laxative tablets that irritate the mucous tissues of the digestive tract. The effect of the drug is expected to last from 6 to 10 hours.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	Take with great caution and only as a last resort.
Contraindications for use	Intestinal obstruction, hernia strangulation, bleeding, colitis, proctitis, exacerbation of hemorrhoids, cystitis, possibility of allergies.
Side effects	Allergies, painful abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloating, dehydration.
How to use laxative tablets for weight loss	Take 1-2 tablets at night or in the morning on an empty stomach.
Overdose	Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, diarrhea, intestinal atony.
Interaction with other drugs	Do not use simultaneously with antacids, dairy products and hydrocarbonate mineral waters.
Storage conditions and shelf life	Store for up to 5 years in room conditions, out of reach of children.

Enterolax
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Laxative tablets based on sodium picosulfate. When taken, the mucosal receptors are stimulated, motor function and movement of feces are enhanced. The effect is detected within 6-12 hours from the moment of taking.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	Not used.
Contraindications for use	Acute inflammation of the digestive tract, intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown origin, lack of fluid in the body, periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding, the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Side effects	Allergies, spastic pain in the abdominal area, diarrhea, intestinal atony, dehydration, muscle weakness, arrhythmia.
Ways to use laxative tablets for weight loss	Swallow 1 tablet at night. Duration of treatment is no more than five days.
Overdose	Intestinal cramps, diarrhea, dehydration, intestinal colic.
Interactions with other drugs	Concomitant use with diuretic medications, cardiac glycosides, and antibiotics is not recommended.
Storage conditions and shelf life	The tablets can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 years.

• Herbal laxative tablets.

Buckthorn extract
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Laxative herbal remedy based on buckthorn. Kinetic properties have not been studied. Laxative effect is observed after about 10 hours.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	Not used.
Contraindications for use	Possibility of allergies, inflammatory reactions in the intestines, bleeding (including uterine bleeding), periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Side effects	Allergies, dermatitis, abdominal pain, more intense color of urine.
How to use laxative tablets for weight loss	Take 1-2 tablets at night.
Overdose	Addiction, intestinal atony.
Interactions with other drugs	No data available.
Storage conditions and shelf life	Stored under normal conditions for up to 3 years.

Regulax
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Laxative tablets based on senna leaves and fruits.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	Use with extreme caution and under medical supervision.
Contraindications for use	Hernial strangulation, intestinal obstruction, inflammatory reactions in internal organs, abdominal pain of unknown origin, bleeding, allergies, severe forms of dehydration.
Side effects	Spasmodic pain, increased gas formation, allergies, nausea.
How to use laxative tablets for weight loss	Take orally, before bedtime, 1 piece, chewing thoroughly. Duration of administration - no longer than 14 days.
Overdose	Intestinal pseudomelanosis, dehydration, appearance of protein in the urine.
Interactions with other drugs	Do not use in combination with diuretics, glucocorticosteroid hormones, medications based on licorice rhizome, or tetracycline antibiotics.
Storage conditions and shelf life	Store for up to 3 years in places inaccessible to children.

• Laxative tablets with prebiotics that restore intestinal microflora and gently stimulate defecation.

Bifidumbacterin
Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Tablets for restoring intestinal flora, with a mild laxative effect. The drug contains live bifidobacteria, which help to normalize the function of the digestive tract and activate metabolism.
Using Laxative Pills for Weight Loss During Pregnancy	May be used with the permission of a physician.
Contraindications for use	The presence of an allergic tendency in the body.
Side effects	Allergy.
How to take laxative tablets for weight loss	Take 2 tablets orally before or during meals, up to 3 times a day. Duration of administration is 1 month.
Overdose	Bloating, rumbling, diarrhea.
Interaction with other drugs	Combination with antibiotics is not recommended.
Storage conditions and shelf life	Store in a cool place for up to 2 years. Do not freeze or heat the preparation.

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Let's summarize some of the results of this article:

1. prolonged or uncontrolled use of laxative tablets can lead to intestinal atony, disruption of intestinal microflora and water balance in the body;
2. Laxative tablets do not get rid of excess fat, but of a certain amount of fecal matter in combination with liquid and beneficial microflora;
3. You can take laxative pills for weight loss only after consulting a doctor. Otherwise, you can cause irreparable harm to the entire body and the digestive system in particular.