laxatives promote bowel emptying. Nonprescription laxatives are frequently misued due to lack of understanding of normal bowel function. Restrict self medication to short-term therapy of constipation. Chronic use of laxatives (particularly stimulants) may lead to dependence. Prior to laxative use, consider living habits affecting bowel function including disease state and drug history. Rational therapy and prevention of constipation include: Adequate fluid intake (4 to 6 glasses of water daily), proper dietary habits including sufficient bulk or roughage, responding to the urge to defecate and daily exercise.
Uses
To treat constipation
For more information on laxative ingredients, see the Laxatives Stimulant and Laxatives – Stool Softeners monographs in this site. Casanthranol is a stimulant laxative used in laxative combinations.
Guidelines for Use
- Use exactly as prescribed.
- Take 5 to 45 ml at bedtime with a full glass of water.
- Do not use in the presence of abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.
- Laxative use if only a temporary measure do not use. longer than 1 week. When regularity returns, discontinue use. Prolonged, frequent or excessive use may tesult in dependence or electrolyte imbalance.
- Contact your doctor if relieved constipation rectal bleeding or symptoms of electrolyte imbalance (e.g, muscle cramps or pain, weakness, dizziness) occurs.
- Pink-red, red-violet or red-brown. discoloration of alkaline urine may occur with cascara sagrada, phenolphthalein or senna.
- Some of these products may contain the dye tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No.5) which can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. Check package label when available or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Prevention of constipation includes: Adequate fluid intake (4 to 6 glasses of water daily), proper dietary habits including sufficient bulk or rough age, responding to the urge to defecate and daily exercise.
- Store at room temperature.