Laxative

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In medicine, laxatives are "agents that produce a soft formed stool, and relax and loosen the bowels, typically used over a protracted period, to relieve constipation".[1]

Classification

Osmotic laxatives

For adults, a randomized controlled trial found PEG [MiraLax or GlycoLax] 17 grams once per day better than tegaserod 6 mg twice per day.[2] A randomized controlled trial found greater improvement from 2 sachets (26 grams) of PEG versus or 2 sachets (20 grams) of lactulose [3]. 17 grams/day of PEG has been effective and safe in a randomized controlled trial for six months.[4] Another randomized controlled trial found no difference between sorbitol and lactulose [5].

For children, PEG was found to be more effective than lactulose.[6]

References

  1. Anonymous (2024), laxatives (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. Di Palma JA, Cleveland MV, McGowan J, Herrera JL (2007). "A randomized, multicenter comparison of polyethylene glycol laxative and tegaserod in treatment of patients with chronic constipation". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 102 (9): 1964–71. DOI:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01365.x. PMID 17573794. Research Blogging.
  3. Attar A, Lémann M, Ferguson A, Halphen M, Boutron M, Flourié B, Alix E, Salmeron M, Guillemot F, Chaussade S, Ménard A, Moreau J, Naudin G, Barthet M (1999). "Comparison of a low dose polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with lactulose for treatment of chronic constipation.". Gut 44 (2): 226-30. PMID 9895382.
  4. Dipalma JA, Cleveland MV, McGowan J, Herrera JL (2007). "A randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial of polyethylene glycol laxative for chronic treatment of chronic constipation". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 102 (7): 1436-41. DOI:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01199.x. PMID 17403074. Research Blogging.
  5. Lederle F, Busch D, Mattox K, West M, Aske D (1990). "Cost-effective treatment of constipation in the elderly: a randomized double-blind comparison of sorbitol and lactulose.". Am J Med 89 (5): 597-601. DOI:10.1016/0002-9343(90)90177-F. PMID 2122724. Research Blogging.
  6. BestBETs: Is polyethylene glycol safe and effective for chro.... Retrieved on 2007-09-06.