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Constipation - Management
What types of oral laxative are available?

Laxatives are categorised according to their principle mode of action as:

  • Bulk-forming:
    • Ispaghula husk
    • Methylcellulose
    • Sterculia
    • Sterculia/Frangula
  • Osmotic:
    • Lactulose
    • Macrogols (polyethylene glycols)
  • Stimulant:
    • Bisacodyl
    • Senna
    • Sodium picosulfate
Clarification / Additional information
  • This simple classification ignores the complex action of some laxatives [BNF 54, 2007].

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