ask your pharmacist

Are there any prescription treatments for constipation?

But sometimes, either over-the-counter laxatives are not strong enough, or people use them incorrectly. When this happens, your doctor may recommend a prescription laxative, such as lactulose (brand name Enulose). It works by drawing water into the bowel to help loosen and soften the stool. You can expect to see results within 24 to 48 hours after taking it. Take it only as prescribed by your doctor. Prolonged use can make you dependent on the laxative.

Another prescription medicine for constipation is >polyethylene glycol (Miralax). It causes water to remain in the stool resulting in softer stools.

Tegaserod (Zelnorm) may be helpful for treating chronic constipation on a short-term basis. It is approved for those under age 65. It can help your intestinal muscles contract better. Side effects include stomach pain, black tarry stools, and diarrhea which can become severe in some cases.

Sources:
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.
The Johns Hopkins Complete Home Encyclopedia of Drugs. Medletter Associates Inc., 1998.
Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics. Lippincott-Raven, 1998.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Diseases and Conditions. “Constipation”. www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 12/2006.

This answer prepared 8/6/2001.
This information updated 12/7/2006.