Laxatives
Walgreens
Laxatives at Walgreens
Constipation can be a bothersome and uncomfortable condition with a variety of causes. Diet, dehydration, some medicines, and certain health conditions can all contribute to constipation. Many people will use laxatives to help relieve and prevent constipation. There are a few different kinds of laxatives, and most are available over-the-counter (OTC) and come in different forms including liquids, powders, tablets, suppositories, and chewables. All of these varieties are available for purchase in stores and online at Walgreens.
Types of laxatives
There are several types of laxatives to choose from depending on your needs and preferences.
- Bulk forming laxatives work by adding fiber to the stool, which causes increased absorption of water and makes it easier for the intestines to contract and cause a bowel movement. These products contain ingredients like psyllium, polycarbophil, and methylcellulose.
- Lubricant laxatives and stool softeners are also common laxatives. These can help soften the stool and make it slippery, allowing for easier bowel movements. These laxatives contain ingredients such as docusate and mineral oil.
- Osmotic laxatives draw fluid into the intestines and move stool through the bowels. Common ingredients in osmotic laxatives are polyethylene glycol and magnesium citrate.
All of these types of laxatives are all generally safe to use in correct doses for limited amounts of time.
Stimulant laxatives work a bit differently than the others by causing the bowels to contract and squeeze to move stool. Bisacodyl, castor oil, and senna are examples of stimulant laxatives. These are harsher than other kinds of laxatives and should not be used for more than a few days. If these laxatives are used incorrectly, the bowels can lose muscle tone and this can lead to dependence of laxatives to have a bowel movement.
If you prefer not to use oral laxatives, suppositories and enemas are another option. Suppositories are laxatives that are inserted into the rectum and trigger contractions of the muscles and softening of stool.
Enemas work by flushing the lower bowels with fluids to help produce a bowel movement.
With so many kinds of laxatives to choose from, it may be hard to know which option is best for you. Consult with your healthcare provider or a Walgreens pharmacist if you need additional information about laxatives.
How long do laxatives take to work?
Different laxatives work within different time frames, so it’s important to read labels carefully and be mindful of when you are taking your laxative dose.
- Bulk-forming laxatives usually produce results in 12 hours but may take up to three days.
- Stool softeners usually work within one to two days, but can take up to five days for some people.
- Most stimulant laxatives can produce results overnight, but castor oil can work faster than this with results in two to six hours.
- Other oral laxatives can take between 12 hours and a few days to work.
- Laxatives that are used rectally such as suppositories and enemas often work much faster, and may produce a bowel movement in as little as a few minutes.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a certain form of laxative to best suit your needs, and a pharmacist can help you find the right option when shopping at Walgreens.
Are there instant laxatives?
Oral laxatives vary in the amount of time they take to produce a bowel movement. Usually, oral laxatives provide relief within a few hours to a few days. Rectal laxatives generally work much faster, and can provide relief within a few minutes. The effectiveness of different laxatives varies from person to person. Overusing laxatives can result in serious complications, so it’s very important to read labels carefully and follow the instructions as directed. Consult with your healthcare provider if you are taking laxatives and experience symptoms such as severe diarrhea, severe cramps or abdominal pain, bloody stool or rectal bleeding, and constipation that last longer than several days despite laxative use. If you have questions about over-the-counter laxatives, talk with your healthcare provider or a Walgreens pharmacist in stores on online 24/7 with Walgreens pharmacy chat.