Constipation

Question 1

BULK examples

Answer 1

Ispaghula husk

Bran

Methylcellulose

Question 2

BULK onset

Answer 2

2-3 days

Question 3

BULK notes of taking

Answer 3

Don’t take at bed

Take with water

Question 4

Osmotic examples

Answer 4

Lactulose

Macrogols (act quickly)

Sodium Sulphate

Magnesium sulphate

Question 5

Osmotic onset

Answer 5

2-3 days

Question 6

What does the osmotic lactulose also treat

Answer 6

Hepatic Encephalopathy

Question 7

What are the best laxatives in opioid induced constipation

Answer 7

Osmotics

Esp Naloxegol osmotic

Question 8

Stimulant examples

Answer 8

Bisacodyl

Senna

Glycerol

Docusate (also a softener)

Sodium picosulphate

Co-danthramer

Co-danthrusate

Question 9

Which laxatives can cause electrolyte imbalances (hypokalemia)

Answer 9

Stimulants

Question 10

What is the onset of stimulants

Answer 10

8-12 hours

Question 11

What colour can the co danthrusate and co- dantrumer turn the urine (anything containing dantron)

Answer 11

Red

Question 12

Softener examples

Answer 12

Docusate (stimulant too)

Arachnis oil

Methylcellulose

Question 13

Onset of softeners

Answer 13

12 hours - 3 days = wide range

Question 14

When should you avoid softeners?

Answer 14

ADEK deficiency (liquid paraffin can cause deficiency)

Anal seepage

Question 15

What is the first medication choice in pregnancy for constipation

Answer 15

BULK

Lactulose can also be used

Avoid Senna

Question 16

What is the best to use in children

Answer 16

Macrogol

Question 17

What can laxative abuse cause

Answer 17

Hypokalaemia

Question 18

When do we use BOS and OS

Answer 18

Short term constipation
Pregnancy
Chronic constipation

OS - faecal impaction
Children
Opioid induced