Laxatives (Rectal)
Category- Laxative, carbon dioxide-releasing—Potassium Bitartrate and Sodium Bicarbonate
- Laxative, hyperosmotic—Glycerin
- Laxative, hyperosmotic, saline—Sodium Phosphates
- Laxative, lubricant—Mineral Oil
- Laxative, stimulant
(contact)—Bisacodyl; Senna
- Laxative, stool softener (emollient)—Docusate
DescriptionRectal laxatives are used
as enemas or suppositories to produce bowel movements in a short time.
There are several different types of rectal laxatives and they work in
different ways. Since directions for use are different for each type, it is
important to know which one you are taking. The different types of rectal
laxatives include:
— Carbon dioxide-releasing—Carbon dioxide-releasing laxatives (e.g., potassium bitartrate and sodium
bicarbonate) are suppositories that encourage bowel movements by forming carbon
dioxide, a gas. This gas pushes against the intestinal wall, causing contractions
that move along the stool mass.
— Hyperosmotic—Hyperosmotic laxatives (e.g., glycerin; sodium phosphates) draw water into
the bowel from surrounding body tissues. This provides a soft stool mass and
increased bowel action.
— Lubricant—Mineral oil coats the bowel and the stool mass with a waterproof film.
This keeps moisture in the stool. The stool remains soft and its passage is
made easier.
— Stimulants—Stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl; senna), also known as contact laxatives,
act on the intestinal wall. They increase the muscle contractions that move
along the stool mass.
— Stool softeners (emollients)—Stool softeners (emollient laxatives—e.g., docusate) encourage bowel
movements by helping liquids mix into the stool and prevent dry, hard stool
masses. This type of laxative has been said not to cause
a bowel movement but instead allows
the
patient to have a bowel movement without straining.
—Rectal laxatives may provide relief in a number of situations
such as:
-
before giving birth.
-
for a few days after giving birth.
-
preparation for examination or surgery.
-
to aid in developing normal bowel function following a period of
poor eating habits or a lack of physical exercise (glycerin suppositories
only).
-
following surgery when straining should be avoided.
-
constipation caused by other medicines.
Some of these laxatives are available only with your doctor's prescription.
Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have
special instructions for the proper use and dose for your medical condition.
They are available in the following dosage forms:
Rectal
-
Bisacodyl
-
Rectal solution (U.S. and Canada)
-
Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)
-
Docusate
-
Glycerin
-
Rectal solution (U.S.)
-
Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)
-
Mineral Oil
-
Potassium Bitartrate and Sodium Bicarbonate
-
Senna
-
Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)
-
Sodium Phosphates
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
- Bisco-Lax 1
- Ceo-Two 5
- Dacodyl 1
- Deficol 1
- Dulcolax 1
- Fleet Babylax 3
- Fleet Bisacodyl 1
- Fleet Enema 7
- Fleet Enema for Children 7
- Fleet Enema Mineral Oil 4
- Fleet Glycerin Laxative 3
- Fleet Laxative 1
- Sani-Supp 3
- Senokot 6
- Theralax 1
- Therevac Plus 2
- Therevac-SB 2
In Canada—
- Apo-Bisacodyl 1
- Bisacolax 1
- Dulcolax 1
- Enemol 7
- Fleet Enema 7
- Fleet Enema Mineral Oil 4
- Fleet Pediatric Enema 7
- Gent-L-Tip 7
- Laxit 1
- PMS-Bisacodyl 1
- Senokot 6
|
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following laxatives are numbered
to match the corresponding brand names.
|
| This information applies to the following medicines: |
| 1. |
Bisacodyl (bis-a-KOE-dill)ठ|
| 2. |
Docusate (DOK-yoo-sate)† |
| 3. |
Glycerin (GLI-ser-in)ठ|
| 4. |
Mineral Oil |
| 5. |
Potassium Bitartrate and Sodium Bicarbonate (pot-TAS-ee-um bye-TAR-trayte
and SOE-dee-um bye-KAR-boe-nate)† |
| 6. |
Senna |
| 7. |
SodiumPhosphates (SOE-dee-umFOS-fates) |
| † Not commercially available in Canada |
| ‡ Generic name product may be available
in the U.S. |
| § Generic name product may be available
in Canada |
|
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