Occasional constipation
Stool is delayed for a few days after a move, a trip, a change of food, bed rest or a new drug. It differs from chronic constipation in that the episode is short and the cause is usually visible. Water, fibre, movement and, if needed, a gentle product for a few days are what help. A laxative every day is a different story: then the cause is looked for.
ICD-10 K59.04 drugs
Also known as: Transient constipation, Short-term constipation
Drugs used for this condition
- BGlycerolSecond line · Rectal laxative, osmotic and stimulantA glycerol suppository or micro-enema is the fastest way to resolve occasional constipation: a stool arrives within 15 to 30 minutes. The AEMPS ficha técnica frames the indication as local symptomatic relief of transient and occasional constipation, and for the 7.5 g solution in adults and adolescents from 12 years, one pack a day. Children need their own lower-dose forms. There is one rule: no longer than 7 days in a row. The ficha asks people to stop and reassess if blood appears in the stool, if there is irritation and pain, or if bowel habit has not returned. Water, fibre and movement still come first in constipation, and the rectal product is there for the case when the problem has to be solved today.
- BMagnesium hydroxideSecond line · Magnesium-based antacid and osmotic laxativeAt laxative doses magnesium hydroxide works osmotically: it pulls water into the bowel, the contents soften and a stool usually arrives within 6 to 8 hours. The AEMPS ficha técnica allows adults and adolescents from 12 years 5 to 10 ml and up to 25 ml a day, in one or two intakes. The condition is the same as for any laxative: a short course. The ficha asks for assessment if constipation has not resolved within 7 days and recalls that chronic constipation without an organic cause is managed differently – fibre, water, movement, routine. The contraindications are worth going through in advance: severe renal impairment, signs of appendicitis, bowel obstruction, undiagnosed bleeding, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, colostomy and ileostomy, chronic diarrhea.
- BSodium lauryl sulfoacetateSecond line · Rectal laxative, wetting agentThe Micralax micro-enema resolves occasional constipation within 5 to 15 minutes, so it is given just before the planned time of defecation. The AEMPS ficha técnica gives the indication as local symptomatic relief of occasional constipation in adults and adolescents over 12 years, one cannula a day. Children under 12 only at a doctor's decision. The ceiling is 6 consecutive days, and the ficha asks people to stop if blood appears in the stool, if irritation or pain appears, or if the usual bowel habit has not returned. There are no placebo-controlled trials of this combination, which the ficha says openly: the product has a long practice of use rather than a body of randomized data. Water, fibre and movement remain the first step in constipation.
- BSodium picosulfateSecond line · Local stimulant laxative, triarylmethane derivativePicosulfate drops act within 6 to 12 hours, so they are taken in the evening and the stool comes in the morning. The AEMPS ficha técnica gives the dose for adults and children over 12 years as 8 to 12 drops, that is 4 to 6 mg, once a day; children aged 6 to 12 get 2 to 8 drops and under 6 years only at a doctor's decision. Starting low and adjusting by result is sensible. A stimulant laxative is not meant for daily long-term use: the ficha asks directly for the cause of constipation to be established before continuing. Fibre, water and movement remain the first step regardless. For older people the ficha advises caution: with long use weakness, fatigue, orthostatic hypotension and impaired coordination build up.
How to read tiers A–F
Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.
- AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
- BRecommended in selected cases
- CStudy data contradict each other
- DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
- FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit