acute constipation

Last reviewed 01/2018

Laxatives suitable for short-term use in acute constipation:

  • senna tablets; time to onset of action 6-12h; senna and docusate effective if hard impacted stools
  • glycerin supps.; time to onset of action 15-30min
  • micro enema 5ml; time to onset of action 15-30min; for impaction use micro
  • phosphate enema; time to onset of action 15-30min; enemas at night to soften stool and then phosphate enema or manual evacuation next morning. In severe cases repeat.