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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
Equalactin Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
polycarbophil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Fibertab Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
polycarbophil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
methylnaltrexone Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
methylnaltrexone systemic
Drug class:
peripheral opioid receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
naldemedine Rate Add review
Rx N
Generic name:
naldemedine systemic
Drug class:
peripheral opioid receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
naloxegol Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
naloxegol systemic
Drug class:
peripheral opioid receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
plecanatide Rate Add review
Rx N
Generic name:
plecanatide systemic
Drug class:
guanylate cyclase-C agonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
potassium phosphate Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
potassium phosphate systemic
Drug class:
minerals and electrolytes
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
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
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
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
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
Fleet Glycerin Suppositories Pediatric Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
glycerin systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Fleet Liquid Glycerin Suppositories 8.0 1 review for Fleet Liquid Glycerin Suppositories to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
glycerin systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Fleet Phospho Soda 10 2 reviews for Fleet Phospho Soda to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
sodium biphosphate / sodium phosphate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Hydrocil Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
psyllium systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Konsyl-Orange Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
psyllium systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
mineral oil Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
mineral oil systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Natural Fiber Therapy Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
psyllium systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
OsmoPrep Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
sodium biphosphate / sodium phosphate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Pedia-Lax Chewable Tablets Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
magnesium hydroxide systemic
Drug class:
antacids, laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Suppositories 10 1 review for Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Suppositories to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
glycerin systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
polycarbophil 5.0 3 reviews for polycarbophil to treat Constipation
OTC N N
Generic name:
polycarbophil systemic
Brand names:
FiberCon, Fiber Lax, Fiber Laxative, Equalactin, Fibertab
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
prucalopride 10 1 review for prucalopride to treat Constipation
Rx N
Generic name:
prucalopride systemic
Drug class:
serotoninergic neuroenteric modulators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

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)

Legend

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.