[Stopping smoking and constipation]

Among the symptoms that may occur with smoking withdrawal, constipation is relatively frequent, but little studied.

Three women reported that constipation developed when they stopped smoking and improved during transient relapses.

This constipation sometimes produces serious functional disorders and can induce relapse. It occurs especially among women and those predisposed to it. Nicotine, by acting on the parasympathomimetic system, increases intestinal peristalsis, and a cigarette can appear to be effective self-medication. Magnesium salts are the first-line treatment for this problem. If they fail, neostigmine, an anticholinesterase with parasympathomimetic activity, appears remarkably effective in correcting this disorder.