A Review of Your Daily Medications May Offer Clues to Chronic Constipation

A third of adults over age 60 have occasional constipation, but being a woman of any age increases your risk of chronic constipation. People often associate constipation with a diet that is insufficient in fiber, but not drinking enough liquids, and getting inadequate exercise can also be responsible for bouts of irregularity. A lesser known, but common cause of constipation is medication. If you look over your medication list, you might find one that could be responsible for your irregular bowel movements. Antacids, antihistamines, painkillers, high blood pressure medications, and diuretics are among the prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can contribute to constipation. Dietary supplements, such as iron, can also lead to constipation.

Some people worry they are constipated if they don’t have a bowel movement every day, but there is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Being regular can be different for each person. For some, it can mean twice a day, and for others, three times a week is normal. However, if you often have infrequent bowel movements, you may be constipated.

When to See a Doctor

Symptoms of constipation may include fewer than three bowel movements a week; stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy; stools that are difficult or painful to pass; or a feeling that not all stool has passed. “You should see a doctor for new constipation, constipation that doesn’t resolve with OTC remedies such as stool softeners or laxatives, if you have blood in the stool, unintentional weight loss, severe abdominal pain, and abdominal distention or vomiting,” says Jill Rieger, MD, an internist at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Here is a list of medications and supplements that are often linked to constipation.

Semaglutide. Taking Ozempic, Wegovy or another semaglutide—for either diabetes or weight management— may cause constipation. As a medication slows down your digestive system, your stomach takes longer to empty. This can be responsible for slowing bowel movements, delayed gastric emptying and difficulty passing stools.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs used for pain and inflammation sometimes cause constipation. Occasional use is rarely problematic, but if you take them consistently for chronic conditions, like osteoarthritis, constipation is a possibility.

Antihistamines. Taking an antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) routinely can contribute to constipation. Other antihistamines including loratadine (Claritin) and fexofenadine (Allegra) are less likely to cause constipation.

Medications for overactive bladder. Oxybutynin (Ditropan) and tolterodine (Detrol) are prescribed to relieve symptoms of overactive bladder and are associated with constipation. For an alternative treatment, consider that constipation is not a known side effect of Myrbetriq (mirabegron) or Gemtesa (vibegron).

Some blood pressure medications. Some blood pressure medications are more likely to cause constipation than others. The following drugs are often linked to constipation: amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), verapamil, propranolol, and clonidine (Catapres).

Iron supplements. You might take iron—such as ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate—as a stand-alone supplement, but many multivitamins also contain iron. A common side effect of iron supplements is constipation, and it’s possible that your stool may appear darker than normal. “If we think iron supplements are causing constipation we can try a different formulation, give iron via an infusion, or try every-other-day dosing,” says Dr. Rieger.

Opioid pain relievers. If you have moderate- to-severe chronic pain or recently had surgery, your health-care provider may have prescribed an opioid pain reliever. In many cases, physicians recommend taking a laxative in advance to prevent constipation from opioids. Prescription medications, like Amitiza (lubiprostone), are also approved to relieve opioidinduced constipation.

Alternative Medication Options

“If you are on medication that is associated with constipation, we would usually consider stopping it or finding an alternative if possible,” says Dr. Rieger. “Magnesium can cause diarrhea, so patients often find relief of their constipation by adding a magnesium supplement,” she added. When choosing a magnesium supplement, consider that the forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid are more completely absorbed in the gut than tablets, and that magnesium aspartate, lactate, and chloride are better absorbed than magnesium oxide and sulfate supplements.

Constipation can be uncomfortable and even painful, and medications are often at fault for causing or worsening symptoms. The good news is most of the time constipation is not serious. If you think you’re experiencing constipation from a medication or supplement, talk to your doctor. They may recommend taking a laxative, or switching up your medication routine.

The post A Review of Your Daily Medications May Offer Clues to Chronic Constipation appeared first on University Health News.

Read Original Article: A Review of Your Daily Medications May Offer Clues to Chronic Constipation »