Browse A-Z

 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Laxatives - stimulant laxatives

Stimulant laxatives include:

  • Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
  • Castor oil
  • Senna
 

Depletions

Taking stimulant laxatives may deplete potassium.

Potassium

Symptoms of potassium deficiency include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Tiredness
  • Drowsiness
  • Feeling of apprehension
  • Weakness
  • Muscle pain and weakness (mostly in the legs)
  • Muscle cramps
  • Strong, rapid or irregular heartbeat

Editorial Note

The information presented here covers some of the nutrients that may be affected when you take certain medicines. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, it does not always mean you have low levels of these nutrients.

Factors that affect the level of nutrients are:

  • Your medical history
  • Diet
  • Lifestyle
  • How long you have been taking the medicine

Please talk to your health care provider. They can best address your health care needs and see if you are at risk for low levels of any nutrients.

Supporting Research

Gold Standard Drug Database. Drug Monograph: Bisacodyl, 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-68. Accessed July 5, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database. Drug Monograph: Castor oil, 2015. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-1235. Accessed July 14, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database. Drug Monograph: Senna, 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-561. Accessed July 14, 2016.

Osborn MB. Potassium. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 165.

Shenkin A, Roberts NB. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Bruns DE, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 31.

The Basics

 

Advanced Study

 
hide

 

 

 

Review Date: 9/19/2016  

Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
© 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.