Laxatives misuse

When acute overuse or chronic misuse of saline or stimulant laxatives is suspected, it may be necessary to check for electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypernatremia, hyperphosphatemia, or hypocalcemia). 

Misuse of laxatives. It is a widely held belief that at least one bowel movement per day is essential for health yet three bowel evacuations per week are quite normaL The desire for frequent bowel emptying probably stems from the time-honored, albeit... 

B. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications fasting or excessive exercise... 

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... 

Misuse of laxatives. It is a widely held belief that at least one bowel movement per day is essential for health yet three bowel evacuations per week is quite normal. The desire for frequent bowel emptying probably stems from the time-honored, albeit mistaken, notion that absorption of colon contents is harmful. Thus, purging has long been part of standard therapeutic practice. Nowadays it is known that intoxication from intestinal substances is impossible as long as the liver functions normally. Nonetheless, purgatives continue to be sold as remedies to cleanse the blood or to rid the body of corrupt humors. ... 

Q7 Laxatives are often misused/abused, for example in slimming disorders, to increase gut transit rate and so limit absorption of foods. Side effects which may occur include flatulence, and abdominal distension or discomfort with bulk-forming and osmotic laxatives. Other adverse effects may include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, for example hypokalaemia. The most prominent side effect of the powerful stimulant/irritant laxatives is abdominal cramping, which is due to increased peristalsis. 

Adverse effects of laxative use or misuse include flatulence, abdominal distension, cramps and discomfort, diarrhoea, weakness, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. 

SCREENING FOR ABUSE OF LAXATIVES Colonic stimulants are the most commonly misused laxative preparations. These include bisacodyl, danthron, oxyphenisatin, and phenolphthalein. Some vegetable laxatives, for example aloes, cas-... 

Before leaving the discussion on prescription-drug misuse and abuse, we should note that a variety of over-the-counter substances with psychoactivc properties are also subject to abuse. Examples are nonprescription hypnotics that contain antihistamines, nonprescription cold and allcrg) products, laxatives, nonprescription stimulants, and diet pills. These arc described in more detail in Chapter 14. 

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