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Chapter-38 Laxatives

BOOK TITLE: Nursing Drug Dosages and their Calculations

Author
1. Chattri GL
ISBN
9789386261076
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/14225_39
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2018
Pages
3
Author Affiliations
1. Metro Multispeciality Hospital and Seth Mannulal Jagannath Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, Mahakoshal Hospital, Seth Mannulal Jagannathdas Trust Hospital and Research Centre and Metro Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Chapter keywords
Laxative, bulk laxative, osmotic, saline, stimulant, stool softener, bisacodyl, docusate, ispaghula, sennosides

Abstract

Laxatives are medicines that induce bowel movements or soften or loosen up the stool. Laxatives include bulk laxatives, osmotics, saline, stimulants and stool softeners. Bulk laxatives work by absorbing water and expanding to increase moisture content and bulk in stool. Osmotic increases water content and distention and promotes peristalsis. Lactulose in addition also decreases ammonia levels. Stool softeners act by reducing surface tension of the liquid of bowel. Laxatives are used to prevention and treatment of constipation, preparation of bowel for radiological or endoscopic procedure. Side effects are nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and flatulence.

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