Laxative
Bulk-forming laxatives, also known as roughage, are substances, such as fiber in food and hydrophilic agents in over-the-counter drugs, that add bulk and water to stools so they can pass more easily through the intestines (lower part of the digestive tract).
[2] Properties Bulk-forming agents generally have the gentlest of effects among laxatives,[1] making them ideal for long-term maintenance of regular bowel movements.
[9] Hyperosmotic laxatives cause the intestines to hold more water, creating an osmotic gradient, which adds more pressure and stimulates bowel movement.
Brand names for these solutions include GoLytely, GlycoLax, Cosmocol, CoLyte, Miralax, Movicol, NuLytely, Suprep, and Fortrans.
[citation needed] Saline laxatives are nonabsorbable, osmotically active substances that attract and retain water in the intestinal lumen, increasing intraluminal pressure that mechanically stimulates evacuation of the bowel.
Properties Stimulant laxatives are substances that act on the intestinal mucosa or nerve plexus, altering water and electrolyte secretion.
[15] Castor oil is a glyceride that is hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipase to ricinoleic acid, which produces laxative action by an unknown mechanism.
Tegaserod (brand name Zelnorm) was removed from the general U.S. and Canadian markets in 2007, due to reports of increased risks of heart attack or stroke.
It causes the intestines to produce a chloride-rich fluid secretion that softens the stool, increases motility, and promotes spontaneous bowel movements.
[25] Some of the less significant adverse effects of laxative abuse include dehydration (which causes tremors, weakness, fainting, blurred vision, kidney damage), low blood pressure, fast heart rate, postural dizziness and fainting;[26] however, laxative abuse can lead to potentially fatal acid-base, and electrolyte imbalances.
[26] Other significant adverse effects include rhabdomyolysis,[26] steatorrhoea,[26] inflammation and ulceration of colonic mucosa,[26] pancreatitis,[26][27] kidney failure,[26][28][29] factitious diarrhea[26][30] and other problems.
