Laxatives (stimulant)
- Stimulate intestinal secretion + motility
- Senna/bisacodyl are inexpensive + effective
- Good rescue or scheduled adjunct therapy
- Cramping/diarrhea are dose-limiting
- Chronic use is safer than old myths imply
- Useful when hypomotility is prominent
- Often paired with an osmotic laxative
Class at a glance
- Stimulate intestinal secretion + motility
Practical pearls
- Senna/bisacodyl are inexpensive + effective
Members / distinctions
- Good rescue or scheduled adjunct therapy
- Cramping/diarrhea are dose-limiting
Clinical role
- Chronic use is safer than old myths imply
- Useful when hypomotility is prominent
- Often paired with an osmotic laxative
Self-check
- What do Laxatives (stimulant) stimulate?
Intestinal secretion + motility. - When are Laxatives (stimulant) especially useful?
Hypomotility is prominent.
Drugs in this class (2)
Laxatives (stimulant) prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Constipation meds (1900–2026). Stimulant laxatives highlighted from 1900.
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