What are laxatives?
Laxatives are medical preparations that cause the elimination of stool through defecation. They work by softening the stool, which makes it easier to pass.
Why are they made/used?
Laxatives are mostly used to treat constipation and its symptoms in people who need to strain a lot during bowel movements. Some laxatives are also used to evacuate the colon in some rectal and bowel examinations.
What does it consist of?
Laxatives may come in capsule, pill, liquid or syrup form and are usually taken before bedtime. They are delicate medications, so their use and dosage must be strictly prescribed by the doctor, without ingesting higher or lower doses than those indicated.
Laxatives should be taken with a large glass full of water, although the liquid solution is already accompanied by a dropper, to take the exact dose, which should be mixed with 4 ounces of milk or fruit juice.
It usually takes between one and 3 days of regular use of laxatives for them to take effect. They should not be taken for more than a week, unless recommended by the doctor.
Preparation for laxatives
Before taking laxatives, the patient should tell the doctor and pharmacist if he/she is allergic to any medications and which ones he/she is taking. Likewise, the patient should also inform the doctor if he/she is pregnant or plans to become pregnant, and if he/she is breastfeeding.
Care after using laxatives
The effects of laxatives may last for a few days, so the patient may notice that his stools are more deflated. Otherwise, there is no specific care to be considered.