HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR DOCTOR: LAXATIVES AND LAXETTES
Laxatives
The terms laxative, cathartic, aperient and evacuant are synonymous. Laxatives may be differentiated by the gentility or severity of their mode of action. High fibre is a gentle laxative and as a bulking agent high fibre produces a voluminous soft motion which encourages normal reflex bowel activity.
Soap like emollients such as Coloxyl soften the bowel motion and allow the retention of water. Liquid paraffin is tasteless, non digestible oil which is said to act by lubricating the bowel and increasing the water contents of bowel motions. There is some suggestion that liquid paraffin is associated with a slightly higher risk of colorectal cancer.
The more aggressive group of laxatives includes Durolax (Bisacodyl), castor oil, Cascara, Sennakot (Senna), rhubarb and Laxettes (Phenolphthalein). Ideally sufferers of constipation should start their attack on recalcitrant bowels with high fibre and add an emollient such as Coloxyl, if the problem persists. In stubborn but intermittent cases of constipation a large dose of Agarol is nearly always effective. Agarol is a mixture of Paraffin Oil and Phenolphthalein.
Laxettes
Laxettes are a brand of chocolate which acts as a laxative. The active ingredient is Phenolphthalein, which causes the large bowel to secrete copious quantities of water and to contract spasmodically. Laxettes are often used in the management.
*84/131/5*
GENERAL HEALTH
- The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
- Read the product information leaflet provided with the product before using it.
Information that this website contains are general information only and are not intended as a replacement for advise and recommendations made by your medical practitioner. We do not make any warranty or represent the accuracy of information supplied herein. We reserve the right to omit portions, correct errors or withdraw an entire page on this website as we see fit without prior notice.
Information about a certain drug, its uses, recommended dosages and side effects do not serve as a substitute to a prescription or information relayed to you by a licensed medical practitioner. These materials are just a general overview about the product. Likewise, we do not endorse use of any drug found on this site.
Use of this site is at your sole risk. We disclaim responsibility for reliance you place upon the information that we posted on this site. Always seek medical advice from a professional healthcare and discuss thoroughly your intention of using any of the medicine that is offered in this website.
|
