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Constipation - Management
When and how should I stop treatment for chronic constipation in adults?
- Laxatives can be slowly withdrawn when regular bowel movements occur without difficulty.
- Laxative medication should not be suddenly stopped.
- If a combination of laxatives has been used, reduce and stop one laxative at a time. Begin by reducing stimulant laxatives, increasing the dose of the osmotic laxative if necessary.
- It can take several months to be successfully weaned off all laxatives.
- Relapses are common and should be treated early with increased doses of laxatives.
- Laxatives need to be continued long term for:
- People taking a constipating drug that cannot be stopped.
- People with a medical cause of constipation.
In depth
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