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Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

481
Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
481
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

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Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
721
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives01:22

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives

402
Laxatives enhance bowel movements and alleviate constipation. They augment the stool's bulk, stimulate intestinal muscle contractions, draw water into the intestines, or soften the stool. There are five key types of laxatives: bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives, stool softeners, and lubricant laxatives.
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This...
402
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

464
Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
464
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS01:17

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

431
Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
431
Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Antacids01:31

Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Antacids

508
In the complex environment of the gastric lumen, excessive acid secretion can lead to the formation or worsening of ulcers within the delicate mucosal layer. Antacids, such as sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate, provide relief by neutralizing this acid, transforming it into harmless salt and water. This neutralization process raises the gastric pH from a highly acidic level of 1 to a more basic 3-4, reducing the acidity within the stomach.
However, this neutralization reaction between...
508

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Magnesium Oxide in Constipation.

Hideki Mori1, Jan Tack1, Hidekazu Suzuki2

  • 1Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Diseases (TARGID), University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Nutrients
|February 2, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Magnesium oxide is a safe, low-cost laxative widely used in East Asia. This review evaluates its clinical use for constipation, highlighting optimal dosing and potential risks, especially in vulnerable populations.

Keywords:
constipationhypermagnesemialaxativemagnesium oxide

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Magnesium oxide has a long history of use as a laxative in East Asia, often based on empirical knowledge.
  • Recent developments in laxative research have renewed interest in magnesium oxide, supported by growing scientific evidence.
  • Its advantages include ease of administration, low cost, and a generally safe profile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence supporting the clinical use of magnesium oxide for constipation.
  • To provide a practical guide to the benefits and drawbacks of magnesium oxide as a laxative.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical evidence on magnesium oxide for constipation.

Main Results:

  • Magnesium oxide is convenient, inexpensive, and safe for treating constipation.
  • Emerging evidence suggests careful consideration of dosage, serum levels, drug interactions, and side effects is necessary.
  • Particular caution is advised for the elderly and patients with impaired renal function.

Conclusions:

  • Magnesium oxide remains a valuable option for constipation management.
  • Clinical application requires attention to individualized dosing and potential risks, especially in specific patient groups.
  • Further research may refine its optimal use in diverse populations.