Laxatives

Key points to remember about laxatives

• laxatives are medicines that help the body to get rid of poo
• your child should aim for 1 soft formed poo that is not painful to do, every day
• laxatives are necessary until the body can manage a daily soft poo without help
• lactulose and macrogol are the most common and most effective medicines for children with constipation
• children with hard or impacted poo sometimes need a bowel washout

What are laxatives?

You might like to first read Constipation and Constipation treatment.

Laxatives are medicines that help the body to get rid of poo. They are an essential part of the treatment of long-lasting constipation and soiling. Most are available to buy at a pharmacy but it may be better to go to your family doctor first. Your doctor can give you advice about the best laxative for your child and how much to give them. Your doctor can also give you a prescription which usually means you won't have to pay for the laxative.

How long should my child take laxatives?

For as long as it takes. Children often need laxatives for months to years rather than weeks.

Remember that the purpose of laxatives is to allow your child to develop a normal habit of pooing regularly.

Ideally, your child should aim for 1 soft formed poo that is not painful to do, every day. Laxatives are necessary until the body can manage this without help. You may need to adjust the dose over time, but it is important to continue the laxative treatment.

Often children get sick of taking medicine, or dislike the taste. Try to make the medicine taste better by putting it with milk or juice, or ask your doctor or nurse about an alternative laxative. Incentive or 'star charts' can be a good way of encouraging your child to take medicine regularly.

How do laxatives work?

There are 3 ways laxatives for childhood constipation work:

• some soften the hard poo and make it easier to do (poo softeners)
• some help the bowel push the poo out (stimulants or emptiers)
• some wash the bowel out completely

Which laxatives are available?

Lactulose and macrogol are the most common and most effective medicines for children with constipation.

See Lactulose for constipation.

Lactulose - a poo softener

Lactulose is a liquid. It is the most common medicine for constipation in children. It may taste better if you chill it or mix it with some juice or milk. Make sure your child brushes their teeth after their lactulose.

Macrogol - a poo softener and for bowel washout

See Macrogol for constipation.

Macrogol is a powder you mix with liquid. It is particularly good for children with very hard or impacted poo. If you're using this as a bowel washout, make sure to only do this after talking to your doctor and following their instructions.

Liquid paraffin/mineral oil - a poo softener

Liquid paraffin/mineral oil works by lubricating and softening the poo but too much can make the poo very oily. It tastes best if you mix it with some chilled chocolate milk or orange juice. If you do use a sweetened drink, make sure your child brushes their teeth after drinking it.

Docusate/poloxamer - a poo softener

Docusate/poloxamer can come as a capsule, tablet or drops. The drops are useful for children under 3 years of age. Docusate/poloxamer is useful in babies and in children with mild constipation.

Magnesium hydroxide mixture 8% - a poo softener and mild stimulant

Because the pharmacist has to make the mixture, it may take a while to be ready.

These are useful for treatment of constipation in some situations but are not recommended for long-term use unless under medical supervision.

See Senna for constipation.

Senna - a stimulant

Senna comes as a tablet. Your child may have diarrhoea or stomach cramps if the dose is high. Giving senna at night may reduce cramping and encourage a poo in the morning. Your child shouldn't take senna long term.

See Sodium picosulfate for constipation.

Sodium picosulphate - for bowel washout

Sodium picosulphate is used for bowel washouts. You should only give this to your child if your doctor has advised using this. It is useful for children with hard or impacted poo.