Constipation
Infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces. These symptoms are associated with a variety
of causes, including low dietary fiber intake, emotional or nervous disturbances,
systemic and structural disorders, drug-induced aggravation, and infections.
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Articles]
Pharmacologic Action
Cathartic
Agents that promote and/or ease defecation by accelerating the passage of feces
through the large intestine, by influencing the consistency and amount of stool,
and by facilitating the elimination of feces from the rectum. The terms laxative
and cathartic reflect the typical intensity and latency of effect. A cathartic
usually produces prompt fluid evacuation, while a laxative usually produces a
soft formed stool over a protracted period; the same drug may act as a laxative or a
cathartic depending on the dose administered or individual patient sensitivity.
Free Full Text
05 Jul 2008
Status of certain additional over-the-counter drug category II and III active ingredients. Final rule
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule stating that the stimulant
laxative ingredients aloe (including aloe extract and aloe flower extract) and cascara
sagrada (including casanthranol, cascara fluidextract aromatic, cascara sagrada bark,
cascara sagrada extract, and cascara sagrada fluidextract) in over the counter (OTC)
drug products are not generally recognized as safe and effective or are misbranded.
This final rule is part of FDA's ongoing OTC drug product review.
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