When used correctly, doctors may recommend osmotic laxatives for long-term use. Doctors may recommend a bulk-forming laxative containing soluble fiber if a person does not get a lot of fiber in their regular diet.
Doctors may also recommend fiber-based laxatives for people who have chronic, long-lasting constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives may be safer for long-term use than other options, as they have little risk of long-term side effects when taken correctly. Like osmotic laxatives, saline laxatives pull water into the stool.
Saline laxatives do this using mineral salts, such as magnesium citrate or magnesium oxide. Saline laxatives are not right for everyone. For instance, people who are on medication to lower their sodium levels or are taking other mineral-based medications, such as medicines to reduce calcium in the kidneys, should avoid saline laxatives.
Saline laxatives are useful for short-term constipation. Using them for extended periods may lead to dehydration or cause an imbalance in other minerals. Doctors may recommend laxatives containing oils, such as mineral oil for difficult short-term constipation, but they are not suitable for regular use. The oils in these laxatives may stick to fat-soluble vitamins and make them impossible to digest.
The stimulating effect in these laxatives makes the stool move faster through the colon while increasing the liquid in the stool. Many popular over-the-counter brand names contain stimulant laxatives. Stimulant laxatives are not safe for regular use. Using them regularly may cause the body to become dependent on the laxative to have a bowel movement. Doctors may prescribe guanylate cyclase-C agonist laxatives in cases of chronic constipation that has no known cause.
These laxatives, along with lifestyle changes, may offer a solution for people who suffer from chronic constipation. Young children should not use them. Stool softeners may be best when a person does not need immediate relief but is looking to regulate their bowel movements within the next few days. The type of laxative the doctor recommends may also change based on how quickly the person needs relief. Individual result times may vary, but in general:. According to a study looking at constipation in older adults:.
Only your healthcare professional can decide what is right for you. Colace and Dulcolax should not be taken for more than one week without the consent of a doctor. Colace is an over-the-counter medication that is typically not covered by commercial or Medicare drug insurance plans.
Get the SingleCare prescription discount card. Dulcolax is an over-the-counter medication that is typically not covered by commercial or Medicare drug insurance plans. Adverse events are rare with Colace. Mild gastrointestinal cramping may occur. Dulcolax at normal doses for short durations of treatment may cause mild gastrointestinal cramping, faintness, nausea, and vomiting. Dulcolax used long term is likely to cause diarrhea and lead to fluid and electrolyte loss. This can lead to hypokalemia low potassium levels which may be dangerous.
Prolonged use can also lead to dependency, and rebound constipation may occur when the medication is stopped. This list may not include all potential side effects. Please consult your healthcare professional for a complete list. Colace and Dulcolax should be used cautiously in patients on loop diuretics such as furosemide or torsemide.
These diuretics are potassium wasting, and that potassium loss combined with the potential electrolyte imbalance that can result from diarrhea when taking Colace or Dulcolax could lead to hypokalemia. Colace should not be taken with mineral oil because it can increase systemic absorption of mineral oil.
Inflammation of the intestine, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes could occur from mineral oil deposits at these sites leading to a foreign body reaction. Dulcolax is enteric coated and designed to have delayed dissolution.
Taking Dulcolax with antacids, H2 blockers, and proton inhibitors may cause the enteric coating to dissolve prematurely leading to stomach irritation or dyspepsia. Dulcolax should be spaced away from the administration of these drugs by at least one hour. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of potential drug interactions. Please consult your pharmacist or healthcare professional for a complete list. You should consult your doctor before using Colace or Dulcolax if you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
You should also consult your healthcare provider if you have had a sudden change in bowel movements that have lasted for more than two weeks. When taking Dulcolax, cramping and abdominal discomfort may occur. Do not crush or chew Dulcolax tablets, and do not take Dulcolax within one hour of antacids or milk. First of all, let's sort out the difference between stool softeners and laxatives. A laxative is a substance that you use to help you have a bowel movement.
A stool softener is a type of laxative , called an emollient laxative. All laxatives are used to relieve constipation. The active ingredient, docusate sodium, encourages the mixture of water and dietary fat within the hard stool , turning it softer. It doesn't hold water like some bulking agents, nor does it stimulate the bowel like a stimulant laxative.
Colace is a stool softener. It helps to draw water into the stool itself to make it softer and easier to pass. It doesn't stimulate a bowel movement, as many laxatives do.
MiraLAX is used for short-term treatment of constipation and long-term treatment of chronic constipation. Stool softeners you can buy over-the-counter are effective for most people. While they are only intended for short-term relief of constipation, using a daily stool softener long-term probably is not harmful.
For many people, dietary changes can be an effective way to relieve constipation. After you take Colace, you should have a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours.
The typical dosage for Colace for adults and children 12 years or older is mg per day. You take it in one dose per day or divided doses. Duration of Use. Stool softeners are designed for short-term use, meaning that you would use them for approximately one week.
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