Most over the counter laxatives in the UK are available without a prescription. There are four main classes of laxatives which patients can use to manage constipation effectively and fast.
Over the counter laxatives UK are licensed as General Sale List Products GSL , available in any retail outlet including pharmacies, and Pharmacy Only medicines P , which can only be purchased from registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies under a supervision of a pharmacist. Within each class, over the counter laxatives have specific licensed age restrictions with some available for children only on prescription.
In this post, I will discuss over the counter laxatives commonly used in the UK. I relation to each class I will discuss the following:. Always read product information leaflet for detailed use or follow prescriber instructions on use and dosage. The table below summarises the most common laxatives within each class, age restrictions, and availability.
For more details, I encourage you to read the rest of this post. Pharmacy-only: Pharmacy only medication, available in conventional or online pharmacies. Patients may need to ask a member of a pharmacy team to purchase pharmacy-only medication, as it may not be displayed in the pharmacy.
Stimulant laxatives are the fastest in relieving symptoms of constipation. When stimulant laxative is used in the form of suppositories glycerin or bisacodyl suppositories , the onset of action the time it takes to work is between minutes. Bisacodyl or senna tablets can be taken at night to give relief in the morning. There is no set rule on which laxative to use first. In many cases changing a diet, particularly increasing fluid intake and increasing fibre fruit and vegetables in diet, can have the desired effect.
An adult should aim to have around 30g of fibre per day NICE, If one produces a hard poo, an osmotic laxative may be a good option. If the poo is soft, a stimulant laxative may be preferred. Other options to consider is the likelihood of side effects for example, stimulant laxative are harsher on the stomach then osmotic or bulk-forming laxatives. The exact times may vary between different osmotic laxatives and the initial dose taken.
It may take days for a full laxative effect to take place. Osmotic laxatives can cause side effects; however, frequency is not determined. Some side effects may include:. Lactulose is licensed as P medicine, available only from a pharmacy.
Lactulose is a form of sugar, which is not absorbed when ingested. Lactulose comes in the form of liquid, which tastes sweet. Lactulose is licensed in infants under one year of age. A very common side effect associated with lactulose use is diarrhoea. Common side effects include:. It usually takes around days before a full laxative effect is achieved. Some patients may experience the result within 24 hours of the first use. Stool frequency with lactulose use is dose-dependent. Macrogol produces a laxative effect through the osmotic effects.
Macrogols containing osmotic laxatives are used to relief from constipation and additionally to help in resolving faecal impaction. Macrogol laxatives are most commonly used in the form of a powder sachets , which patients need to mix with water. Next, try a stimulant laxative such as Senokot, or a suppository. Some people should avoid laxatives completely. Avoid giving stimulant and bulk-forming laxatives to children unless advised by a doctor.
The charity Guts UK has a great fact sheet here. Travelling can play havoc with your regularity, especially when planes, time zones and medication are involved. The best laxative to pack in your luggage is a gentle stool-softening capsule such as DulcoEase. Instead, it works gently but effectively to soften up the contents of your gut by increasing their absorption of fluids, working over a couple of days to make it much easier to go to the loo.
The gentle nature of DulcoEase also makes it suitable for long-term use, and its stool-softening strategy is ideal for reducing the pain of haemorrhoids or anal fissures, and helping those conditions to clear up. Key specs — Size: 30 capsules; Laxative type: Stool softener; Active ingredient: Docusate sodium, mg per capsule. Buy now from Boots. Rather than try to down six lettuces a night, mix up a Fybogel drink instead. Fybogel Orange is made from ispaghula husk, a natural gluten-free concentrated fibre that helps your digestive system work more efficiently.
If you're taking bulk-forming or osmotic laxatives, it's important to drink plenty of fluids. This is because these laxatives can cause dehydration. Never take more than the recommended dose of laxatives as this can be harmful and cause side effects. If your constipation has not improved after taking laxatives for a week, speak to a GP. After taking a laxative, you can make certain lifestyle changes to help stop getting constipated again, such as:.
Do not take laxatives every day to ease your constipation as this can be harmful. Speak to a GP if you're still constipated after making lifestyle changes. In some cases, you may be prescribed a laxative to use regularly, but this should always be supervised by a GP or gastroenterologist a specialist in gut problems. Like most medicines, laxatives can cause side effects. They're usually mild and should pass once you stop taking the laxative.
The side effects you may get will depend on the type of laxative you're taking, but common side effects of most laxatives include:. Ask a GP for advice if you get any particularly troublesome or persistent side effects while taking laxatives.
Using laxatives too often or for too long can also cause diarrhoea , the bowel becoming blocked by large, dry poo intestinal obstruction , and unbalanced salts and minerals in your body.
Types of laxatives The main laxatives used in the UK are: bulk-forming laxatives — such as ispaghula husk and methylcellulose, which work in the same way as dietary fibre; they increase the bulk of your stools faeces by helping them retain fluid, encouraging your bowels to push the stools out osmotic laxatives — such as lactulose and polyethylene glycol, which soften your stools and make them easier to pass by increasing the amount of water in your bowels stimulant laxatives — such as bisacodyl, senna and sodium picosulfate, which speed up the movement of your bowels by stimulating the nerves that control the muscles lining your digestive tract stool softener laxatives — such as arachis oil and docusate sodium, which increase the fluid content of hard, dry stools, making them easier to pass There are also a number of alternative laxatives that are less commonly used, including bowel cleansing solutions, peripheral opioid-receptor antagonists, linaclotide and prucalopride.
Which laxative should I use? Things to consider Although laxatives are available over-the-counter, they're not suitable for everyone. How to take laxatives How you take laxative medication depends on the form it comes in, they are commonly available as: tablets or capsules you swallow sachets of powder you mix with water and then drink suppositories — a capsule you place inside your back passage rectum , where it will dissolve liquids or gels that you place directly into your back passage Some laxatives are also designed to be taken at certain times of the day, such as first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
How long should laxatives be used for? Side effects Like most medications, laxatives can cause side effects. The side effects you may experience will depend on the specific medication you're taking, but common side effects of most laxatives include: bloating passing wind flatulence painful tummy abdominal cramps feeling sick dehydration — which can make you feel lightheaded, have headaches and pass urine that's darker than normal Contact your GP for advice if you experience any particularly troublesome or persistent side effects while taking laxatives.
Alternatives It's often possible to improve constipation without having to use laxatives. Before trying laxatives, it may help to make a number of lifestyle changes, such as: increasing your daily intake of fibre — you should eat about 30g of fibre a day; high-fibre foods include fruit, vegetables and cereals adding bulking agents, such as wheat bran, to your diet — these will help make your stools softer and easier to pass, although bran and fibre can sometimes make bloating worse drinking plenty of water exercising regularly Read more about preventing constipation.
Considerations Most people can use laxatives, but not all types are suitable for everyone. Children and laxatives Laxatives aren't recommended for babies who haven't been weaned. Always check with your GP before giving your baby or child a laxative. Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window.
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