The Korean Journal of Medicine

The Korean Association of Internal Medicine (대한내과학회)
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Conventional Laxatives

전통적 완하제

  • Lee, Bong Eun (Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Tae Hee (Institute for Digestive Research, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Seong-Eun (Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Kyung Sik (Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Seon-Young (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Shin, Jeong Eun (Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jung, Kee Wook (Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Suck Chei (Department of Internal Medicine and Digestive Disease Research Institute, Wonkwang University School of Medicine) ;
  • Hong, Kyoung Sup (Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Hong, Sung Noh (Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunwan University School of Medicine)
  • 이봉은 (부산대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 이태희 (순천향대학교 의과대학 소화기연구소) ;
  • 김성은 (이화여자대학교 의학전문대학원 내과학교실) ;
  • 박경식 (계명대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 박선영 (전남대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 신정은 (단국대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 정기욱 (울산대학교 의과대학 소화기내과학교실) ;
  • 최석채 (원광대학교 의과대학 내과학교실 및 소화기질환 연구소) ;
  • 홍경섭 (서울대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 홍성노 (성균관대학교 의과대학 내과학교실)
  • Published : 20150000
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Abstract

Based on published guidelines on the management of chronic constipation, secondary causes should be excluded and then patients should be told to increase their dietary fiber intake to 20-25 g per day. If these measures do not improve the symptoms, conventional laxatives are generally the next choice. Although there is limited evidence for the efficacy of these older laxatives due to a lack of well-designed clinical trials, most clinicians agree that they are effective at relieving the symptoms of constipation. Conventional laxatives include bulk-forming, osmotic, and stimulant laxatives. Bulking laxatives consist of fiber such as psyllium, cellulose, and bran. Osmotic laxatives are classified into sugar-based laxatives and polyethylene glycol. Bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate are stimulant laxatives. Understanding their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and side effects might improve the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic constipation.

Keywords