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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
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
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
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
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
Fleet Bisacodyl 10 1 review for Fleet Bisacodyl to treat Constipation
OTC B N
Generic name:
bisacodyl 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
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
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
Purelax 10 1 review for Purelax 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
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
linaclotide 9.3 4 reviews for linaclotide to treat Constipation
Rx C N
Generic name:
linaclotide systemic
Drug class:
guanylate cyclase-C agonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
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
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
Konsyl 9.0 2 reviews for Konsyl to treat Constipation
OTC N N
Generic name:
psyllium systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
sorbitol 9.0 1 review for sorbitol to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
sorbitol systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Fleet Enema 8.7 96 reviews for Fleet Enema to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
sodium biphosphate / sodium phosphate systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
magnesium citrate 8.7 481 reviews for magnesium citrate to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
magnesium citrate systemic
Brand names:
Citrate of Magnesia, Citroma
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Milk of Magnesia 8.7 42 reviews for 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
sodium biphosphate / sodium phosphate 8.7 105 reviews for sodium biphosphate / sodium phosphate to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
sodium biphosphate / sodium phosphate systemic
Brand names:
Fleet Enema, Disposable Enema, Fleet Phospho Soda, OsmoPrep
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
magnesium oxide 8.6 17 reviews for magnesium oxide to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
magnesium oxide systemic
Brand names:
Mag-Oxide, Phillips' Cramp-free, Uro-Mag
Drug class:
minerals and electrolytes
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
magnesium hydroxide 8.5 234 reviews for magnesium hydroxide to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
magnesium hydroxide systemic
Brand names:
Milk of Magnesia, Phillips' Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia, Ex-Lax Milk of Magnesia, Pedia-Lax Chewable Tablets
Drug class:
antacids, laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Phillips' Milk of Magnesia 8.4 185 reviews for Phillips' 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
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
lubiprostone 8.0 1 review for lubiprostone to treat Constipation
Rx C N
Generic name:
lubiprostone systemic
Drug class:
chloride channel activators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Fleet Glycerin Suppositories Adult 7.7 10 reviews for Fleet Glycerin Suppositories Adult to treat Constipation
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
glycerin systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, 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.