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Medicine for Constipation (Laxatives)

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
benzocaine / docusate Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
benzocaine / docusate topical
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Bisa-Lax Rate Add review
OTC B N
Generic name:
bisacodyl systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
bisacodyl 5.3 1428 reviews for bisacodyl to treat Constipation
OTC B N
Generic name:
bisacodyl systemic
Brand names:
Dulcolax, Correctol, Bisa-Lax, Fleet Bisacodyl
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
castor oil Rate Add review
OTC X N
Generic name:
castor oil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Citrate of Magnesia 10 6 reviews for Citrate of Magnesia to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
magnesium citrate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Citroma Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
magnesium citrate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Citrucel 10 2 reviews for Citrucel to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
methylcellulose systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ClearLax 9.8 9 reviews for ClearLax to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
polyethylene glycol 3350 systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Colace 5.8 16 reviews for Colace to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Colace Micro-Enema Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Correctol 5.3 36 reviews for Correctol to treat Constipation
OTC B N
Generic name:
bisacodyl systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Diocto Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Disposable Enema 10 1 review for Disposable Enema to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
sodium biphosphate / sodium phosphate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Doc-Q-Lace Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
docusate 6.1 39 reviews for docusate to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Brand names:
Colace, Dulcolax Stool Softener, Doc-Q-Lace, DOK, Enemeez Mini, Surfak, Colace Micro-Enema, Diocto
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
DOK Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Dulcolax 5.3 1018 reviews for Dulcolax to treat Constipation
OTC B N
Generic name:
bisacodyl systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia 10 1 review for Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
magnesium hydroxide systemic
Drug class:
antacids, laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Dulcolax Stool Softener 5.0 1 review for Dulcolax Stool Softener to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Enemeez Mini 9.0 1 review for Enemeez Mini to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
docusate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Equalactin Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
polycarbophil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Ex-Lax Milk of Magnesia Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
magnesium hydroxide systemic
Drug class:
antacids, laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
FiberCon 9.0 1 review for FiberCon to treat Constipation
OTC N N
Generic name:
polycarbophil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Fiber Lax Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
polycarbophil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Fiber Laxative Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
polycarbophil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

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Alternative treatments for Constipation

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Constipation. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Constipation.

Learn more about Constipation

Care guides

Medicine.com guides (external)

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Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.