What Are Stimulant Laxatives?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Do Stimulant Laxatives Do?Are Stimulant Laxatives Safe for Me?Common ExamplesSide Effects

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Do Stimulant Laxatives Do?

Are Stimulant Laxatives Safe for Me?

Common Examples

Side Effects

Laxatives, or stool softeners, are widely available without prescription as over-the-counter (OTC) products. They are commonly used to manage symptoms of constipation and other gastrointestinal-related conditions.

There are different kinds of laxatives based on their mechanism of action. Stimulant laxatives are a type ofOTC laxative. They begin working within hours of taking a single dose. Overall, stimulant laxatives are well tolerated and act rapidly to relieve temporary constipation.

Stimulant laxatives are used for short-term management of constipation. They are also used to empty the large part of the intestine, also known as the colon, before a colonoscopy and other medical procedures.

OTC laxatives are a quite common and safe way to treat occasional constipation. However, there can be a few exceptions for some people.

You should not use stimulant laxatives if you have the following conditions:

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking if you have:

The majority of stimulant laxatives are available OTC, with some common brand names containing different active ingredients. These formulations are available in many dosage forms, such as liquids, tablets, and rectal suppositories.

Some commonly available OTC stimulant laxatives and their brand names include:

Some brands also contain a combination of two active drugs, such as Correctol 50 Plus (containing docusate and sennosides) and Tridrate Bowel Evacuant Kits (containing bisacodyl, bisacodyl rectal, and magnesium citrate).

When taken at their recommended doses, laxatives are generally mild and a safe option as an OTC treatment. However, they may cause side effects in some people. These include:

The effects of stimulant laxatives can vary based on the dose. Higher doses may be more likely to cause stomach cramping and diarrhea.

The overuse of laxatives or use for colon cleansing can cause electrolyte disturbances in some cases, most notably hypokalemia (lower than normal potassium levels).

Call your healthcare provider if the symptoms worsen or do not go away.

Summary

These laxatives are usually safe and effective in most people. However, it is essential to only take the recommended doses. Large doses can cause side effects such as cramping and loose stools. Always consult a healthcare provider if the constipation worsens.

Top 4 Laxatives for Constipation: How to Use Them Safely and Effectively

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.J Clin Med.2021;10(1):143. doi:10.3390/jcm10010143MedlinePlus.Senna.Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754Lawrensia S, Patel P, Raja A.Bisacodyl. [Updated 2024 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Hoppe LK, Muhlack DC, Koenig W, Brenner H, Schöttker B.The associations of diuretics and laxatives use with cardiovascular mortality. an individual patient-data meta-analysis of two large cohort studies.Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2019;33(5):567-579. doi: 10.1007/s10557-019-06894-wMedlinePlus.Bisacodyl.MedlinePlus.Bisacodyl rectal.MedlinePlus.Senna.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222Whorwell P, Lange R, Scarpignato C.Review article: do stimulant laxatives damage the gut? A critical analysis of current knowledge.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024;17:17562848241249664. doi:10.1177/17562848241249664

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.J Clin Med.2021;10(1):143. doi:10.3390/jcm10010143MedlinePlus.Senna.Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754Lawrensia S, Patel P, Raja A.Bisacodyl. [Updated 2024 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Hoppe LK, Muhlack DC, Koenig W, Brenner H, Schöttker B.The associations of diuretics and laxatives use with cardiovascular mortality. an individual patient-data meta-analysis of two large cohort studies.Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2019;33(5):567-579. doi: 10.1007/s10557-019-06894-wMedlinePlus.Bisacodyl.MedlinePlus.Bisacodyl rectal.MedlinePlus.Senna.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222Whorwell P, Lange R, Scarpignato C.Review article: do stimulant laxatives damage the gut? A critical analysis of current knowledge.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024;17:17562848241249664. doi:10.1177/17562848241249664

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.J Clin Med.2021;10(1):143. doi:10.3390/jcm10010143MedlinePlus.Senna.Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754Lawrensia S, Patel P, Raja A.Bisacodyl. [Updated 2024 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Hoppe LK, Muhlack DC, Koenig W, Brenner H, Schöttker B.The associations of diuretics and laxatives use with cardiovascular mortality. an individual patient-data meta-analysis of two large cohort studies.Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2019;33(5):567-579. doi: 10.1007/s10557-019-06894-wMedlinePlus.Bisacodyl.MedlinePlus.Bisacodyl rectal.MedlinePlus.Senna.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222Whorwell P, Lange R, Scarpignato C.Review article: do stimulant laxatives damage the gut? A critical analysis of current knowledge.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024;17:17562848241249664. doi:10.1177/17562848241249664

Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.J Clin Med.2021;10(1):143. doi:10.3390/jcm10010143

MedlinePlus.Senna.

Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754

Lawrensia S, Patel P, Raja A.Bisacodyl. [Updated 2024 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.

Hoppe LK, Muhlack DC, Koenig W, Brenner H, Schöttker B.The associations of diuretics and laxatives use with cardiovascular mortality. an individual patient-data meta-analysis of two large cohort studies.Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2019;33(5):567-579. doi: 10.1007/s10557-019-06894-w

MedlinePlus.Bisacodyl.

MedlinePlus.Bisacodyl rectal.

Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222

Whorwell P, Lange R, Scarpignato C.Review article: do stimulant laxatives damage the gut? A critical analysis of current knowledge.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024;17:17562848241249664. doi:10.1177/17562848241249664

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?