LAXATIVES

Course overview

CONSTIPATION IS A COMMON DIAGNOSIS THAT REQUIRES PROPER EVALUATION AND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT. THE APPROACH TO A PATIENT WITH CHRONIC CONSTIPATION INCLUDES PATIENT EDUCATION, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, DIETARY CHANGES, AND LAXATIVE THERAPY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT LAXATIVE THERAPY IS NOT THE ONLY TREATMENT FOR CONSTIPATION. INITIAL MANAGEMENT OF CONSTIPATION SHOULD INCLUDE LIFESTYLE CHANGES SUCH AS INCREASING FLUIDS, FIBER-RICH FOODS SUCH AS ASPARAGUS, BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CABBAGE, AND SPINACH. WHEN CONSTIPATION IS NOT CONTROLLED BY LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION, TREATMENT WITH LAXATIVES SHOULD BE A CONSIDERATION. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE MODE OF ACTION OF VARIOUS LAXATIVES, INCLUDING MECHANISMS OF ACTION, PHARMACOLOGY, ADVERSE EVENT PROFILES, ELIGIBLE PATIENT POPULATIONS, MONITORING, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CONDITIONS WHERE LAXATIVE THERAPY IS HELPFUL.