Stimulant Laxatives

Stimulant Laxatives (Contact Stimulant)

Action
This category is also known as "Irritant" or "contact" laxatives. Stimulant laxatives irritate the intestinal wall stimulating intense intestinal contractions as the body works urgently to rid itself of the irritating agent and any else in its path. Action occurs in 6 to 12 hours and evacuation can be solid, semi fluid, or watery. Stimulant laxatives are more likely to have side effects than other forms of laxatives.

Links to Stimulant Laxative Agents

Aloe Vera	Bisacodyl	Casanthranol
Cascara Sagrada	Castor Oil	Danthron
Dehydrocholic Acid	Phenolphthalein	Senna & Sennosides

Side Effects
Confusion, irregular heart beat, muscle cramps, pink to red, red to violet, or red to brown coloration of alkaline urine and stools (for cascara, danthron and/or senna only), skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, yellow to brown coloration of acid urine (for cascara and or senna only).

Less common
Belching, cramping, diarrhea, nausea.

Warnings
Stimulant Laxative Precautions.
"Accidents" are less likely to occur with stimulant laxatives, however, evacuation can be rapid and cause a feeling of pressure or urgency to defecate repeatedly within a relatively short period of time. Intestinal cramping is most likely with Senna and Sennosides. Many stimulant laxatives are enteric coated to protect the stomach lining from the irritating agent. Do not chew a stimulant laxative as severe stomach cramping may result. Do not administer to children under age six, the elderly or ill persons who may not be able to swallow tablets or resist chewing the product before swallowing. Stimulant laxatives are not intended for long term use because they over-empty the bowel thereby promoting laxative dependency. Overuse can lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Prolonged use dries out the colon lining, exposes nerve endings to damage, permits harmful bacterial growth (which can lead to infection), weakens intestinal muscles (due to lack of use), and destroys the defecation reflex (function is inhibited). Severe weight loss can also occur. Note: Both danthron and phenolphthalein have been banned for use in the United States.

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