How Do Saline Laxatives Work?: Detailed Datasheet

• How They Work
  • WHAT ARE SALINE LAXATIVES AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
• Uses
  • HOW ARE SALINE LAXATIVES USED?
• Side Effects
  • WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF SALINE LAXATIVES?
• Drug Names
  • WHAT ARE DRUG NAMES OF SALINE LAXATIVES?

Saline laxatives are a type of laxatives mainly used for treating occasional constipation. They have salts containing highly charged ions that do not cross the intestinal walls and remain inside the intestine. Saline laxatives retain water in the intestine through osmosis, increasing the bulk of the stool. The stool formed stimulates the intestinal muscles to contract naturally, causing the feces to move along.

As saline laxatives increase the bulk of the stool, they are used for:

• Constipation
• Bowel cleansing before a surgery
• Indigestion

Saline laxatives, when taken orally, may cause these side effects:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Gas formation
• Facial edema
• Dehydration
• Chills
• Dehydration
• Itching

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of saline laxative drugs include:

• Fleet enema
• Fleet enema extra
• Magnesium citrate
• Osmoprep
• Pedia-lax enema
• Phospho soda
• Sodium biphosphate
• Sodium phosphate
• Sodium phosphate rectal
• Visicol