Bowel meds

Question 1

What are main classes of laxatives (cathartics)?

Answer 1

Bulk forming
Emollient or wetting (stool softeners)
Osmotic
Stimulants

Question 2

How do bulk forming laxatives work?

Answer 2

Fiber draws water into stool and loosens up and hydrates feces
Metamucil, Fibercon, Citrucel

Question 3

How do stool softeners work? What are some examples?

Answer 3

Lower surface tension so poop can slide
Allows water and fat to penetrate poop
Docusate sodium or docusate calcium or docusate potassium

Question 4

How do osmotic laxatives work? Examples

Answer 4

Increases pressure in colon to stimulate peristalsis.
Pull fluid into bowel.
polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
magnesium hydroxide (Milk of magnesia)
sodium phosphate (Fleet phospho-soda)
lactulose (Constulose, Enulose)

Question 5

How do stimulant laxatives work? Examples

Answer 5

Increase intestinal motility
Inhibit water resorption into large intestine.
Irritates mucosa of intestines to push poop through.
Can cause dependency
bisacodyl (dulcolax)
casanthranol (peri-colace)
correctol
ex-lax, senecot