Q. Select the laxative type to which the drug belongs for each question below.
For more information on the laxative types listed select “Additional Information” below.
Q. Select the laxative type to which the drug belongs.
LAXATIVE
Bulking
Stimulant
Osmotic
Softener
Macrogol
Bisacodyl
✓
Regulan Orange™
✓
Senna
✓
Lactulose®
✓
Dioctyl® (Ducosate)
✓
✓
Movicol™
✓
✓
Glycerol suppositories
✓
✓
Sodium picosulphate (Picolax®)
✓
Fybogel™
✓
Microlax enema
✓
Phosphate enema
✓
Additional Information
More information about Laxatives
Bulkings agents – Increase faecal volume and also bind water. These laxatives act as a substrate for growth of colonic bacteria. Used in conjunction with lifestyle changes.
Osmotic – These inorganic salts or organic compounds create a hypertonic state and therefore attract water, so increasing volume, stimulating peristalsis and promoting evacuation.
Stimulant – Given in evening to work overnight. Should only be used for short periods of time (usually <14 days) to re-establish normal bowel habit. Can cause potential damage to bowel muscle. Stimulates peristalsis in bowel
Faecal softeners – Act by reducing the surface tension of the stool, promoting softening and therefore elimination. Usually work in 1-3 days.
Macrogol – Inert polymers of ethylene glycol which deliver the fluid they are administered with directly to the bowel, helping to hydrate the stools.
Suppositories and enemas – Bisacodyl suppositories are used to evacuate soft stool. Hard stools may require softening prior to evacuation and therefore Glycerol suppositories recommended.
More severe hardening may respond to an Arachis oil enema, providing they do not have a peanut allergy, given in the evening, followed by a stimulant enema e.g. phosphate in the morning.
