15 best laxatives for constipation

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Unfortunately, constipation, like diarrhea, can often occur not only with bowel disease, but also in a healthy person, for example, leading a sedentary lifestyle. People often use a variety of laxatives and feel that they do not need a doctor's consultation to prescribe them. But this is not the case. Any remedy has some contraindications that must be taken into account. Some medications for constipation, or constipation, can be addictive. That is why modern medicine recommends the use of laxatives in short courses. This rating of drugs with a laxative effect on the intestines includes several categories of drugs for different groups of patients.

Rating of the best laxatives for constipation

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best herbal laxatives	1	Kafiol	–
	2	Laminarid	148 RUB
	3	Mukofalk	RUB 470
	4	RectActive	405 RUB
	5	Agiolax	RUB 1,700
Best laxatives for children	1	Duphalac	305 RUB
	2	Forlax	RUB 290
	3	Glycerol (glycerin)	RUB 49
	4	Bisacodyl	52 RUB
Prebiotics as laxatives	1	Prelax	RUB 315
	2	Inulin	RUB 150
	3	Exportal	229 r
Best laxatives for the elderly	1	Senade	RUB 524
	2	Regulax	329 r
	3	Magnesium sulfate (magnesia)	–

The best herbal laxatives

Laxatives based on natural herbal ingredients are the most mild and gentle on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, while their effectiveness is quite high. Laxatives from this group have been used for several centuries, and have fewer side effects and contraindications than synthetic drugs. But, nevertheless, it is advisable to consult a doctor before prescribing any drug, including drugs of this group. Opens the rating of the Kafiol remedy.

Kafiol

Rating: 4.9

Kafiol is a complex herbal remedy that contains senna leaves and fruits, liquid paraffin oil, sometimes called liquid paraffin, plum fruit pulp and fig fruit pulp. A laxative is prescribed for constipation of various origins in different patients. It acts on the intestines by irritating its chemical and mechanical receptors, which greatly facilitates the movement of feces and their excretion from the body. Even in the case of persistent constipation, the use of Kafiol improves peristalsis and doubles the passage of food residues through the intestines.

With uncomplicated constipation, Kafiol is prescribed one briquette at a dosage per night, and with prolonged constipation, it is recommended to take 2-3 briquettes, but not more than 6 briquettes daily. The maximum course of taking the drug is 2 weeks, but such long-term treatment can only be allowed by a doctor. A laxative is quite often found in pharmacies, and the cost of one pack of 6 briquettes of this laxative does not exceed 180 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The definitely positive effects of Kafiol include the sparing effect of the drug on the normal intestinal microflora. It does not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and is well tolerated by patients. In case of an overdose, if the patient immediately takes 6 briquettes, he may develop abdominal pain and diarrhea. Do not take a laxative longer than the recommended maximum period, otherwise it can lead to a reflexive decrease in the functional activity of the intestines. A laxative is contraindicated in case of intestinal obstruction, severe inflammatory processes in the stomach and intestines, in women with metrorrhagia, or with uterine bleeding of a different nature, as well as with painful and profuse menstruation.

Laminarid

Rating: 4.8

Laminaride is the only laxative drug in the rating prepared on the basis of kelp. This is brown seaweed, or seaweed. Taminarig is produced in granules. Additionally, the composition includes salts of alginic acid, and a mixture of polysaccharides. A laxative is recommended even for chronic constipation, and with a hyperspastic component, when instead of defecation, patients have nagging abdominal pains.

The mechanism of action of the drug is associated with swelling of the granules in the intestine, an increase in the volume of intestinal contents, and at the same time its softening. The medicine is packaged in bottles of 50 g. It is necessary to take Laminarid after meals, 1 – 2 teaspoons each, with a glass of water. Since the remedy is indicated for chronic constipation, the remedy is taken three times a day. A laxative is produced by the Art Life company, and you can buy it at a price of 140 rubles. for 1 bottle.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite the fact that this is a natural preparation, in case of overdose or too frequent use, excess iodine can accumulate in the body, which can manifest itself as a runny nose, cough, or bronchitis symptoms. In case of an overdose, the patient may develop diarrhea. The remedy is contraindicated in patients with high sensitivity to iodine, during lactation, during pregnancy, with severe renal failure. The positive aspects of Laminaride include a mild effect on constipation, which is not accompanied by the unpleasant phenomena of flatulence.

Mukofalk

Rating: 4.8

Mucofalk is a popular and effective laxative that contains psyllium seeds. Seeds in the human body are not digested, and create a sorption effect, they absorb fluid from the intestinal lumen and exert pronounced pressure on its walls from the inside. As a result, the intestine begins to reflexively contract, and its contents move further.

The remedy is not indicated for the treatment of severe and chronic constipation, but it can be successfully used with a usual stool retention of more than two to three days. Mucofalk is produced in the form of granules that have an orange flavor, and a suspension is prepared from these granules. Like all herbal laxatives, Mucofalk needs to be washed down with a significant amount of water to swell the seeds in the intestines. The laxative is produced by the German company Doctor Falk, and you can buy a pack containing 20 bags for 470 rubles. In the event that one can of 300 g is purchased, then it will cost no less than 1150 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of a laxative include the ability to use it for a long time, it has earned a place in the ranking, since it can be taken by nursing mothers, it does not develop addiction, it can be combined with other medications. The disadvantages of the drug include not too fast action, insufficient evidence base in relation to children and the need to drink plenty of fluids during treatment. In case of an overdose, the patient may experience discomfort in the abdomen, rumbling, and the phenomenon of flatulence.

RectActive

Rating: 4.7

A drug such as RectActive also contains seed extract, but already horse chestnut. The remedy is available in the form of rectal suppositories, or suppositories, which are light brown in color. There are two dosages, 50 and 100 mg, the drug acts by stimulating rectal peristalsis. Usually, after 15 minutes there is a normal bowel movement, and after a bowel movement, the urge stops. Shown RectActive for various types of constipation, in bedridden patients, with psychogenic constipation. The domestic company Altpharm produces a laxative, and you can buy 10 candles at a maximum dosage of 100 mg for 390 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of the remedy is a quick action, a rare development of adverse reactions, which boil down to a short-term burning sensation in the rectum, the possibility of long-term administration (about a month). The negative sides include the need to insert a suppository into the anus, which cannot always be done comfortably, a ban on taking the drug during pregnancy and lactation, in the presence of inflammatory pathology of the rectum, with proctitis, cracks, exacerbation of hemorrhoids and with severe spastic constipation.

Agiolax

Rating: 4.7

Laxative Agiolax is a combined herbal preparation that contains raw oval plantain, its seed husks, and senna. Agiolax is produced by the German company 'Meda Pharma', in the form of granules for oral administration. Usually one teaspoon of the product is taken. As in the case of other drugs from plantain seeds, the husk of the seeds swells, increases the intestinal contents in volume, peristalsis increases, and senna is capable of chemical irritation of the intestinal wall receptors, which softens the feces and facilitates their excretion. You can buy a laxative in a container weighing 100 g at a fairly high price, starting from 1,700 rubles, this is equal to taking it for 20 days. The remedy is prescribed in the evening, before bedtime, the effect occurs in the morning.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the drug that made it possible to get into the rating include the treatment of atonic and hypotonic constipation, including in bedridden elderly patients, in the period after surgery, and the ability to use the drug for anorectal pathology, for hemorrhoids, proctitis, and anal fissures. Unpleasant moments include abdominal colic and flatulence in case of overdose, a number of contraindications, such as spastic constipation, cystitis, the presence of chronic gastrointestinal and uterine bleeding. Since only a doctor can distinguish spastic constipation from the opposite atonic in nature, only a doctor should prescribe a remedy.

Best laxatives for children

In children, the intestines have not yet fully matured, and its nervous and humoral regulation is imperfect. Therefore, constipation in children occurs quite often, in addition, the normal intestinal microflora has not yet formed in the child. The process of establishing normal intestinal digestion in a child takes more than one year, and parents should not worry, constipation in children is a fixable phenomenon. The laxatives that come to the aid of children will be discussed below. The rating reveals a very popular and effective drug for constipation – Duphalac.

Duphalac

Rating: 4.9

Duphalac, or lactulose, has a hyperosmolar effect, which leads to the secretion of fluid into the intestinal lumen, and increases peristalsis. For a pronounced laxative effect, the help of the normal microflora of the large intestine is necessary, which breaks down this carbohydrate into low molecular weight acids. Duphalac is used in the form of a syrup to treat a wide variety of constipation, to correct dysbiosis. The laxative is indispensable for chronic liver failure and encephalopathy.

From the indications, one can especially note the irregular rhythm of defecation, hemorrhoids, since Duphalac softens the stool, as well as dysbiosis. A laxative can be used for putrid dyspepsia in young children after food poisoning. Duphalac is used in the morning once with a meal, the children's dosage is on average 5-10 ml per dose, children under three years old are prescribed in a dose of 5 ml. The popularity of this drug is very high, and it is produced under various trade names. In addition to Duphalac itself, you can find in the pharmacies Goodluck, Lactusan, Normaz, Portalak and Romfalak. Lactulose is produced in powder, syrup, and tablets. Duphalac itself can be purchased for 735 rubles, in the amount of 1 liter of syrup.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the remedy include a mild laxative effect, which is so necessary for children, suppression of the growth of pathogenic microbes, the practical absence of contraindications and side effects. Perhaps lactulose ranks first in the ranking in terms of safety profile. The disadvantages include the rather high price of syrup.

Forlax

Rating: 4.8

Forlax for children is a white powder with the smell of orange or grapefruit, the active ingredient is macrogol, or polyethylene glycol. The powder consists of long linear molecules, and in combination with water, macrogol holds it through fragile hydrogen bonds. After taking the powder, the volume of contents in the intestine increases significantly, which causes a laxative effect. Forlax does not act immediately, after a single dose, the laxative effect occurs in a day or two.

The laxative is indicated for the treatment of constipation of various etiologies in children, ranging from the age of 6 months to 8 years. Babies are prescribed one sachet per day, children from one to three years old can be assigned two packages, and children of eight years up to – 4 packages per day. Dosing regimen – morning and evening, dissolving the required dose in 50 ml of water. You can continue treatment with Forlax without consulting a doctor for no more than 3 months. The drug is produced by the French company Bofur Ipsen, and 20 sachets can be purchased for 250 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Forlax include its mild action and lack of addiction, the ability to use it in children from the age of six months, the possibility of long-term use in the absence of side symptoms. The disadvantages of the drug include the onset of a laxative effect in a day or two, as well as only an orange or grapefruit aroma, which may not please all babies.

Glycerol (glycerin)

Rating: 4.7

Glycerol and glycerin are one and the same substance, which is recommended for constipation associated with a lack of intestinal motility in children, that is, with hypotension and atony. Colorless transparent syrup of sweet taste, which is mixed with water in all proportions. Glycerol is used in children in short courses, or just once. The laxative is effective only when administered rectally, and therefore glycerin suppositories or suppositories with glycerin are available. After rectal administration, glycerin has a slight irritating effect, the intestines begin to contract, the feces soften and easily leave the body. In children, the laxative effect occurs, on average, after 20 minutes. Candles should be used once a day, preferably after breakfast. For children, a special dosage of 0.75 g is produced. For a package of 12 candles, you need to pay at least 145 rubles. The Romanian pharmaceutical company Antibiotici produces candles with glycerin.

Advantages and disadvantages

The positive aspects include a mild action, the possibility of a single application. The negative aspects include the rarely occurring feeling of discomfort and irritation in the rectal area, with very frequent use, symptoms of catarrhal proctitis occur. The undoubted advantage is the availability and low cost of the drug.

Bisacodyl

Rating: 4.6

This laxative has been ranked as an affordable and reliable, inexpensive remedy for children. Bisacodyl not only irritates the mucous membrane, but also increases the production of mucus in the intestines, which facilitates bowel movements. If the drug is taken orally in the evening, then the laxative effect will occur after 12 hours, and if the drug is administered rectally, then within an hour. In children, Bisacodyl is used for atonic constipation, it is produced in the form of suppositories by the domestic manufacturer Nizhpharm, and for 10 suppositories you need to pay only 38 rubles, at a dosage of 0.01 g. As for the tablets produced in enteric form, then for 30 tablets you should pay only 13 rubles, produced by ZAO 'Biocom'. Perhaps this is one of the most inexpensive and affordable laxatives for children. Laxative has synonyms such as Laxatin, Dulcolax.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Bisacodyl include low cost, rapid onset of bowel movements, and it can be used in children from 2 years old. The laxative effect is already caused by one tablet, and you should not increase the dosage. The disadvantages of Bisacodyl include the development of addiction; with prolonged use, the drug loses its activity. In the event that two or three enteric tablets are taken at once, the child may develop diarrhea.

Prebiotics as laxatives

Prebiotics are those substances that are not absorbed or digested by our body in any way, but are excreted in a completely different form, different from the substance that has entered the body. Prebiotics constitute nutritional components for the normal microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and stimulate its vital activity and reproduction. Therefore, these drugs have a laxative effect, working through intermediaries – enterococci, Escherichia coli, and other representatives of normal microflora.

Prelax

Rating: 4.9

The laxative is a combined laxative containing lactulose, lactose and galactose. Strictly speaking, Prelax is not a medicine, since it is not absorbed by our body, but is a kind of biologically active supplement. But it is completely absorbed by bifidobacteria, and the products of its decomposition – acids such as propionic, acetic, lactic and butyric acids contribute to an increase in osmotic pressure in the intestinal lumen. Along the way, Prelax weakens various pathogenic bacteria that enter the intestines, normalizes stool, and facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body. A laxative is prescribed for children over 3 years old, half a spoonful of syrup daily, with meals. The drug is taken for a long time, at least 2 weeks. It is possible to increase the dosage by 2 or 3 times, but only as directed by a doctor. The laxative is available in 220 ml vials, manufactured by the French company Felicata. The cost of one bottle starts from 190 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage is soft restoration of the stool, accompanying restoration of microflora, and practically no side effects. The disadvantages include the occurrence of diarrhea in children with increasing doses and not too fast action.

Inulin

Rating: 4.8

Inulin, in its action, belongs to probiotics, and in terms of its composition it could well belong to the category of herbal laxatives, therefore, in the ranking it occupies two groups at once. Inulin is a unique oligosaccharide obtained from chicory rhizomes and Jerusalem artichoke tubers. It comes in powder form and has a sweet taste. Inulin has a sorbing effect, absorbs various toxins, heavy metal salts, and even radionuclides. It restores normal intestinal microflora, as it is absorbed by beneficial microorganisms, mainly bifidobacteria.

Inulin normalizes stool, intestinal motility, secretion, and its absorption capacity. In children, Inulin is indicated not only for constipation, but also for diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as during antibiotic treatment and after antibiotic therapy. Inulin is prescribed for children and adults 1 teaspoon 4 times a day with meals, and the average course of administration lasts about 1 month. Inulin is produced in the form of powder or tablets. The powder should be dissolved in a liquid such as water, juice or kefir. The cost of one package of 100 tablets is 303 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the drug include mild action, strengthening of immunity, absence of side effects, influence on normal microflora, ability to normalize blood lipid spectrum, and positive effect in diabetes mellitus. The negative aspects include rare individual hypersensitivity and the need to cancel with congenital fructose intolerance.

Exportal

Rating: 4.7

Exportal is a laxative made from lactylol, a milk sugar derivative, or lactose. Lactylol is a hydrocarbon alcohol by its chemical structure, but it is used to treat constipation in children, the elderly and adults. In addition to constipation of various origins, the drug is used for dysbiosis and liver failure. In the intestine, it is broken down by normal microflora, which also leads to an increase in osmotic pressure. As a result, feces increase in volume, soften and facilitate bowel movements. The effect after the first dose develops in a day. In chronic constipation, especially associated with a decrease in intestinal tone and motility, the first laxative effect may occur on the second or third day.

Exportal is used once, during meals, when mixed with various drinks. The entire daily dose is taken at once in one dose, and adults are prescribed 4 teaspoons of powder, and children from one to 6 years old are given one teaspoon.

Exportal is produced in sachets, or in powder form in plastic containers. The manufacturer is the domestic pharmaceutical company “Farmvilar”, and 20 sachets in a 10-gram package can be purchased for 430 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The positive aspects include the possibility of using the drug in patients with diabetes mellitus and the elderly, and the negative aspect is the need for increased fluid intake throughout the course of treatment, which can be up to 5 months. In case of an overdose of the drug in adults and children, diarrhea may occur, in very rare cases vomiting has been noted

Best laxatives for the elderly

In old age, bowel function changes. Its muscles weaken, physiological tone decreases, and the passage of the contents through the intestines slows down. Elderly people often take various medications that also affect stool regulation. Finally, in old age, physical activity decreases, and the frequency of constipation increases. The elderly often neglect fiber intake and drink little water. All this leads to chronic constipation. The ranking contains several popular effective drugs that are used in gerontological practice.

Senade

Rating: 4.9

Perhaps Senade, or senna extract, is one of the most popular and well-known drugs for the treatment of constipation in general. In the elderly, the laxative has gained popularity due to its availability and a wide range of indications, including chronic constipation, proctitis, anal fissures and hemorrhoids, intestinal atony. The active ingredient is sennosides, which irritate the intestinal wall. Senade is produced in tablets of 13.5 mg. The drug is usually taken orally once a day, before bedtime. It is recommended to drink a pill with one glass of water, and in the absence of morning stool, the dose can be increased to 2 or 3 tablets. It is possible to purchase a product of the domestic manufacturer FC 'Health' in the amount of 20 tablets, respectively, for 20 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of the laxative is the favorable price, and the rare development of side effects. It should be said that while taking senna drugs, a reddish or brown coloration of urine occurs, this is due to the formation of metabolites and their excretion from the body by the kidneys. You should not be afraid of this, this is not a sign of kidney disease and disappears after the drug is discontinued. The negative sides of the reception include a fairly wide range of contraindications, for example, spastic constipation, therefore, a doctor should prescribe senna extract, who will distinguish a spastic state from an atonic one. Also contraindications are various inflammatory bowel diseases, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, pain in the abdomen of an unknown cause.

Regulax

Rating: 4.8

Another popular drug for the treatment of constipation in the elderly, included in the rating, is Regulax, which contains sodium picosulfate as the active ingredient. It is indicated for atonic and hypotonic constipation, which is most often found in elderly people. The medicine is sold in the form of a colorless transparent solution, one milliliter of which contains 7.5 mg of sodium picosulfate. In the intestine, the active substance undergoes hydrolysis, which is caused by representatives of the normal microflora. As a result of this, an accelerated movement of feces occurs, and the absorption of water is simultaneously reduced, due to which the fecal masses also soften. According to the mechanism, the agent can be attributed to prebiotics, and according to indications – to drugs recommended in old age. The laxative effect occurs, on average, 12 hours after ingestion, and Regulax is prescribed, respectively, before bedtime. Initially, 12 drops are required, and with severe atonic constipation, the dose is doubled. The average course of treatment is 7 days. The laxative can be purchased in a 20 ml bottle for 230 rubles. Regulax is produced by the German company 'Crevel Moiselbach'.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of a laxative include: good stool regulation for atonic constipation in the elderly, and the rare development of side effects. The negative aspects include a wide range of contraindications, which include cystitis, dehydration, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the development of hypersensitivity. It should be borne in mind that when using broad-spectrum antibiotics, the effect of taking the drug will decrease.

Magnesium sulfate (magnesia)

Rating: 4.7

Common magnesium sulfate, or magnesia, has a good laxative effect by irritating intestinal receptors and increasing the osmotic pressure in the gastrointestinal tract. This promotes the release of water into the intestinal lumen, peristalsis increases, and after 4 – 6 hours after the application of magnesia inside, the urge to defecate appears. The application involves the dissolution of magnesium powder in an amount of 25 grams in half a glass of water. It is recommended to apply this mixture before bedtime. To enhance the laxative effect, you must then drink 2-3 glasses of warm water. Magnesium sulfate is sold in almost any pharmacy, and is inexpensive, a single dose of 25 g will cost you only 25 rubles. Magnesia is produced by a variety of domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of magnesia include ubiquitous availability, which allowed it to take a place in the rating, a rather active action, and the negative aspects include the bitter – salty taste of the finished solution, which is unpleasant to everyone. In addition, a laxative should not be prescribed to elderly patients with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, with various rhythm disturbances in the form of intracardiac blockages, with myocarditis, the elderly with chronic renal failure. Sometimes side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea occur with an overdose of magnesium sulfate.

Laxatives that are popular and available in Russia have been listed above. In conclusion, it should be added that in order to avoid constipation, you need to drink at least three glasses of clean water a day, not counting the liquid obtained from food. It is necessary to add fiber, cabbage, prunes and beets to the diet. Eating vegetables and fruits in their raw form allows you to avoid constipation, and if you also observe an active lifestyle and moderate physical activity, then you will not be afraid of constipation. Still, the most important thing for any constipation is to find the cause, and you should definitely consult a doctor for this.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.