Guidelines For Clinical Practice
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 28, 2012; 18(36): 4994-5013
Published online Sep 28, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i36.4994
Table 1 Classes of drugs used to treat chronic constipation
Type of medicationDrugs
Laxatives
Bulking (insoluble and soluble fibres)Bran, methylcellulose, psyllium
OsmoticLactulose, sorbitol, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium salts, polyethylene glycol
StimulantAnthraquinone derivatives: senna, aloe, cascara
Diphenylmethane derivatives: bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate
SofteningLiquid paraffin (vaseline oil), docusate, glycerine
Serotoninergic enterokinetic agentsTegaserod, prucalopride, renzapride
Prosecretory agentsLubiprostone, linaclotide
Gastrointestinal μ-opioid antagonistsMethylnaltrexone, alvimopan
ProbioticsBifidobacterium, lactobacillus
Colchicine