Laxative

agents that produce a soft formed stool, and relax and loosen the bowels, typically used over a protracted period, to relieve constipation

A laxative is a food or drug taken to make bowel movements easier, or to treat constipation.[1] Sometimes taking powerful or lots of laxatives can cause diarrhea or a flatulence.

Glycerin suppositories used as laxatives.

Laxatives work by helping your intestines digest undigested food, and do not make you lose weight. Despite this, some people with eating disorders take laxatives in an attempt to lose weight.

References change

  1. See for example:
    • Di Palma JA, Cleveland MV, McGowan J, Herrera JL (2007). "A randomized, multicenter comparison of polyethylene glycol laxative and tegaserod in treatment of patients with chronic constipation". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 102 (9): 1964–71. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01365.x. PMID 17573794. S2CID 32055676.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    • Attar A, Lémann M, Ferguson A, Halphen M, Boutron M, Flourié B, Alix E, Salmeron M, Guillemot F, Chaussade S, Ménard A, Moreau J, Naudin G, Barthet M (1999). "Comparison of a low dose polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with lactulose for treatment of chronic constipation". Gut. 44 (2): 226–30. doi:10.1136/gut.44.2.226. PMC 1727381. PMID 9895382.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    • Dipalma JA, Cleveland MV, McGowan J, Herrera JL (2007). "A randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial of polyethylene glycol laxative for chronic treatment of chronic constipation". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 102 (7): 1436–41. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01199.x. PMID 17403074. S2CID 10946562.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)