![]() ![]() Consult with your healthcare provider if you are taking laxatives and experience symptoms such as severe diarrhea, severe cramps or abdominal pain, bloody stool or rectal bleeding, and constipation that last longer than several days despite laxative use. Overusing laxatives can result in serious complications, so it’s very important to read labels carefully and follow the instructions as directed. The effectiveness of different laxatives varies from person to person. Rectal laxatives generally work much faster, and can provide relief within a few minutes. Usually, oral laxatives provide relief within a few hours to a few days. Oral laxatives vary in the amount of time they take to produce a bowel movement. Your healthcare provider may recommend a certain form of laxative to best suit your needs, and a pharmacist can help you find the right option when shopping at Walgreens. Laxatives that are used rectally such as suppositories and enemas often work much faster, and may produce a bowel movement in as little as a few minutes.Other oral laxatives can take between 12 hours and a few days to work.Most stimulant laxatives can produce results overnight, but castor oil can work faster than this with results in two to six hours. ![]() Stool softeners usually work within one to two days, but can take up to five days for some people.Bulk-forming laxatives usually produce results in 12 hours but may take up to three days.How long do laxatives take to work?ĭifferent laxatives work within different time frames, so it’s important to read labels carefully and be mindful of when you are taking your laxative dose. Consult with your healthcare provider or a Walgreens pharmacist if you need additional information about laxatives. With so many kinds of laxatives to choose from, it may be hard to know which option is best for you. Suppositories are laxatives that are inserted into the rectum and trigger contractions of the muscles and softening of stool.Įnemas work by flushing the lower bowels with fluids to help produce a bowel movement. If you prefer not to use oral laxatives, suppositories and enemas are another option. If these laxatives are used incorrectly, the bowels can lose muscle tone and this can lead to dependence of laxatives to have a bowel movement. These are harsher than other kinds of laxatives and should not be used for more than a few days. Bisacodyl, castor oil, and senna are examples of stimulant laxatives. Stimulant laxatives work a bit differently than the others by causing the bowels to contract and squeeze to move stool. Common ingredients in osmotic laxatives are polyethylene glycol and magnesium citrate.Īll of these types of laxatives are all generally safe to use in correct doses for limited amounts of time. Osmotic laxatives draw fluid into the intestines and move stool through the bowels.These laxatives contain ingredients such as docusate and mineral oil. These can help soften the stool and make it slippery, allowing for easier bowel movements. Lubricant laxatives and stool softeners are also common laxatives.These products contain ingredients like psyllium, polycarbophil, and methylcellulose. Bulk forming laxatives work by adding fiber to the stool, which causes increased absorption of water and makes it easier for the intestines to contract and cause a bowel movement. ![]()
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