Constipation and a preventative bowel program
Constipation may be a problem during your treatment. Causes include a diet that does not have enough fiber or fluid, prolonged bed rest and medications – especially prescription pain medicine.
If you are taking prescription drugs for pain, use the following schedule to prevent constipation from occurring:
- Drink plenty of fluids to loosen your bowels. Warm or hot fluids work well
- Use a stool softener:
- Docusate (Colace) 100 mg/capsule – take 1 twice daily
- Use a stimulant laxative:
- Senna (Senokot) 187 mg/tablet – take 1 or 2 twice daily. Maximum 8 tablets per day
- Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) 5mg/tablet or 10mg/suppository – take 1 or 2 twice daily
- Use an osmotic laxative:
- Sorbitol 70% solution (prescription) – take 15-30ml daily OR
- Lactulose (Chronulac – prescription) – take 10-20 gm (15-30ml) daily OR
- Magnesium Citrate (Citroma) 300ml bottle – take ½ to 1 bottle daily
Start with fluids, a softener and a stimulant. Increase stimulant as your pain medication dosage increases. Add an osmotic if necessary.
The medicines recommended are all available in the antacid/laxative section of your drug or grocery store – except for the Sorbitol and Lactulose/Chronulac, for which we will give you a prescription.