Page 67 - Community pharmcy practice E-book 2025

01/11/2025, 22:08 Medication Errors & Constipation Management

Stimulant Laxatives

Mechanism of action: Work in the small and large intestines to stimulate bowel
motility and increase the secretion of fluids into the bowel.
Onset of action:

Oral preparations: 6 to 12 hr

Rectal ones: 15 to 60 mins

They are effective as initial therapy to treat constipation.
Examples & marketed products:

Anthraquinone laxatives: Senna (Sennalax® tablet)

Diphenylmethane derivatives: Bisacodyl (Bisadyl® tablets and suppositories)
(enteric coated)

Castor oil

Sodium Pico sulfate (Picolax® oral drops)..safest

Stimulant Laxatives (continued)

Adverse Effects & Important Patient Counseling
Contraindications
Shouldn't be used for more than 1
Stimulant habituation (easily abused week
for daily bowel movement)
Senna may discolor the urine (pink to
Cathartic colon (if chronic use).. poorly red or brown to black)
functioning colon like ulcerative colitis
All bisacodyl containing products
shouldn't be taken within an hour of
ingesting antacid or milk (enteric
coated)

66