![]() ![]() To treat constipation, most healthcare providers recommend adding fiber to your diet or trying a bulk-forming laxative. The liquid forms may cause throat irritation, so it’s important to take it with water. Rarely, they cause stomach cramps or a rash. Stool softeners usually have minimal side effects. If you’re still having hard stools after a week of using them, contact your healthcare provider. Don’t take stool softeners for more than a week at a time. You’ll usually have a bowel movement after about 12 to 72 hours upon using a stool softener. ![]() This helps avoid straining during a bowel movement, which is especially important in people with heart conditions or hemorrhoids. Stool softeners allow water and fat to build up in the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. It’s also available under the brand names Colace, and DocQLace. The most common OTC stool softener is docusate sodium. They help prevent straining during bowel movements. Stool softeners are used short-term to relieve occasional constipation. Laxatives are categorized based on how they work.īelow we’ll discuss stool softeners and the other categories of laxatives - osmotic, stimulant, saline, bulk-forming, and lubricant laxatives. But stool softeners are actually a type of laxative called emollient laxatives. We often refer to stool softeners and laxatives as different medications. What’s the difference between a stool softener and laxative? It’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about which constipation medication is best for you. One product may be preferred depending on what’s causing your constipation. OTC constipation products include stool softeners and laxatives. What OTC products can I use for constipation? Here, we’ll discuss the different categories of stool softeners and laxatives, and how to decide which OTC product is best for you. If these changes don’t help, there are over-the-counter (OTC) stool softeners and laxatives that treat constipation. This includes getting more physical activity, drinking more water, and eating fiber-rich foods. And that number more than doubles for people ages 60 years and older.Ĭhanging some of your daily habits is often all that’s needed. Constipation - typically defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week - is a common complaint in healthcare providers’ offices. ![]()
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