Types of OTC drugs for constipation

There are roughly two types of constipation drugs: "stimulant laxatives" that stimulate the intestinal mucosa to activate the movement of the intestine and "mechanical laxatives (non-stimulant laxatives)" that make stool absorb water to soften the stool. Today, countless constipation drugs are commercially available as OTC drugs and many of them are stimulant laxatives or combination products containing them¹⁾.

Basically, non-stimulant laxatives should be used at an appropriate dose, and if they are not effective, stimulant laxatives should be used as a single use²⁾.

Mechanisms and characteristics of "stimulant laxatives" and "mechanical laxatives"^2-5)

<Stimulant laxatives>

This is a drug to activate intestinal movement by directly stimulating the mucosa of the large intestine and small intestine. This is a very potent laxative containing mainly senna leaf and rhubarb. Although it has a strong effect to promote bowel movement, it may cause diarrhea or abdominal pain at the time of a bowel movement.

Also, it is habit-forming and dependent, and it becomes less effective when used every day. This drug should be used on a demand basis (as a single use) when needed. For example, it is used when you have temporary constipation due to traveling or when there is no bowel movement for 2-3 days. If you use it in such a way, it works well without forming a habit. Never use it every day without giving it much thought.

<Mechanical laxatives (non-stimulant laxatives)>

This is a medicine that acts on stool instead of intestines. Water is transferred into the intestinal tract to increase the bulk of stool, and water is added to the stool to soften it. Thus, intestinal movement becomes active and the frequency of bowel movements increases.

The effect of magnesium oxide, a typical mechanical laxative, is milder than that of large intestine stimulant laxatives and is generally considered to be safe. For this reason, it is widely used as the first-line drug for constipation in the world.