Relieve Constipation

Symptoms and Treatments

Treatment	Action	Most common side effects

Bulking Agents
Calcium polycarbophil (Prodiem®) Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid (Metamucil®)	Improve stool consistency, shorten colon transit time and increase frequency of bowel movements	Abdominal bloating, flatulence.

Softening Agents
Docusate calcium (Soflax C®, Calax®) Docusate sodium (Colace®)	Soften stool	Mild abdominal cramping.

Others
Lactulose	Make bowels move	Mild abdominal cramping, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting.

Polyethylene glycol (Lax-A-Day®, Pegalax®, Relaxa®, Restoralax®)		Cramping, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, flatulence, nausea.