Laxative/purgative

Laxanz, /. laxative, purgative, lazieren, v.t. purge. — lazierend, p.a, purging, laxative. 

Jatrophagospiifolia L. var. delgans Muel. J. curcas L. Hong Ma Feng Shu (Sweet cassava) (seed) Phytotoxin, curcin, curcasin, arachidic, linoleic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid.50 The herb (seed) is toxic. Seed oil emetic, laxative, purgative, treat skin ailments. 

The cathartics are so numerous that they require classification (see Table 12.1). This has been done in a variety of ways. The drugs may be classified according to the intensity of their action, and thus can be designated as laxatives, purgatives, and drastics, in order of increasing potency. The group can also be delineated according to the site of action, or by the interval of time before... 

FIGURE 127. Illustration of uses for the metals antimony, mercury, iron ( Mars ), and copper ( Venus ). Clearly, both antimony and mercury compounds are effective emetics, but a closer look at this figure suggests that some antimony compounds are effective laxatives (purgatives) as well. (From Barlet s 1657 Le Vray Mithodique Corns de la Physique.)... 

Caster oil is a harsh laxative (purgative) that acts on the small bowel and produces a watery stool within 2 to 6 hours. Therefore, this shouldn t be taken at bedtime. Caster oil is used mainly for bowel preparation and seldom used to correct constipation. Caster oil should not be used in early pregnancy because it stimulates uterine contractions and spontaneous abortion can occur. Prolonged use of Caster oil can damage nerves resulting in loss of intestinal muscular tone. 

Laxiersalz, n. purging or laxative salt. — en-glisches —, Epsom salt. 

There can be no objection to the ingestion of bulk substances for the purpose of supplementing low-residue modern diets. However, use of irritant purgatives or cathartics is not without hazards. Specifically, there is a risk of laxative dependence, i.e the inability to do without them. Chronic intake of irritant purgatives disrupts the water and electrolyte balance of the body and can thus cause symptoms of illness (e.g., cardiac arrhythmias secondary to hypokalemia). 

These salts should always be given with substantial amounts of water otherwise the patient may be purged at the expense of body water, resulting in dehydration. Sodium-containing laxatives should not be used in patients with congestive heart failure, since the patient may absorb excessive sodium. Similarly, in cases of renal failure, magnesium or phosphate-containing products should not be used, since the loss of a renal clearance of these ions may result in cumulative toxic levels despite their minimal absorption. 

A new formulation of a saline laxative, Visicol, that is useful to prepare patients for procedures, was approved for use in 2001. Each 2-g tablet contains 1.102 g sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and 0.398 g sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, for a total of 1.5 g sodium phosphate. Visicol tablets, taken in two doses of 30 g approximately 12 hours apart, induce diarrhea that rapidly and effectively cleanses the entire colon. Each administration has a purgative effect for approximately 1 to 3 hours. 

Castor oil is a bland oil that is hydrolyzed in the gut to yield ricinoleic acid, the active purging agent. This hydrolysis requires bile, a fact that is sometimes overlooked when castor oil is given as a laxative before radiography in biliary obstruction. The ricinoleic acid acts on the ileum and colon to induce an increased fluid secretion and colonic contraction. 

Larvicidal. Destructive to insect larvae. Laxative. An agent that promotes evacuation of the bowels. A mild purgative. 

Purging type during the current episode of BN, the person has regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas... 

Long-term follow-up research has shown that about one-fourth of AN patients will recover and the rest will have either partial or no improvement. Mortality rates at 10 years are 6.6% and at 30 years are 18%-20% after presentation for treatment (Theander, 1985 Eckert et ah, 1995). Most follow-up studies of AN show patients with an earlier age onset (under age 18) to have a better chance of recovery. Purging behavior, self-induced vomiting, and laxative abuse are usually predictive of a worse outcome (Eckert et ah, 1995). 

Most patients with BN can be effectively treated as outpatients. Medical hospitalizations result from consequences of purging activities, such as frequent vomiting and abuse of laxatives and diuretics, which can create electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. These patients are at risk for developing cardiac arrhythmias due to hypokalemia. If the patient s serum potassium falls below 2.5 mEq/T, the patient should be hospitalized. Other medical emergencies are gastric dilatation and esophageal tears (both are rare). Cardiac failure caused by cardiomyopathy from ipecac intoxication is a medical emergency. 

Anthraquinone glycosides are coloured substances, and are the active components in a number of crude drugs, especially with laxative and purgative properties. Anthraquinone aglycone increases peristaltic action of large intestine. A number of over the counter laxative preparations contain anthraquinone glycosides. The use of anthraquinone drugs, however,... 

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