Constipation – It’s important to check your medicines for side effects

Constipation: It's important to check your medicines for side effects

There are a range of digestive conditions associated with the gut, many of which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to deal with. Constipation is a very common condition in which a person has infrequent, uncomfortable, or difficult bowel movements. If you find yourself straining when going to the bathroom, and unable to work out why, it might be caused by your medication. In this article we will look at the symptoms of constipation, some common medicines, and some tips to manage it.

What are the signs of constipation?

If you are having fewer than three movements a week it may be a sign of constipation. People’s bowel habits can be different depending on a range of factors. Some people may go three times a day, and others could go a few times a week. Therefore, it’s important to look at more than just frequency when identifying constipation.

If you have constipation, you may experience symptoms such as:

Bloating and stomach cramps.
Straining or pushing to pass bowel motions.
Hard, dry, and difficult to pass bowel motions.
Reduced frequency of bowel motions.
Small, lumpy or ‘pebble-like’ stools.
Painful bowel movements.
Hemorrhoids.
An incomplete feeling, or like you don’t get everything out.

Is my medication causing constipation?

Constipation can have many causes, so working out why your bowel is struggling to have bowel movements can be equally frustrating. When you’ve eliminated the common causes like low-fibre diets and dehydration and still don’t have an answer taking a look at your medicines could provide the answer.

What medicines commonly cause constipation?

It might be straight forward to identify what’s causing the problem when constipation occurs after starting a new medicine or changing your dose of a medicine you are taking. But if that isn’t the case, there are some prescription and over-the-counter medications that are known to cause constipation.

Opioid pain relievers like morphine, oxycodone, and tramadol.
Iron Supplements, however some products like Maltofer are less likely to cause issues.
Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, and nortriptyline.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen and naproxen.
Anticholinergics, a group of medicines including antihistamines and medication for overactive bladder.
Certain blood pressure medications including amlodipine, diltiazem, verapamil, propranolol and clonidine.
Certain nausea medications like ondansetron.

Overuse of stimulant or bulk-forming laxatives can lead to ‘rebound constipation’. Overusing laxatives can lead to your body becoming dependent on them to pass bowel movements.

What are some tips for coping with constipation from medicines?

If constipation goes untreated it can have serious consequences. Straining hard to pass bowel movements can cause hemorrhoids, tears in the lining of the anus (anal fissures), and stress urinary incontinence. In severe cases a blockage can cause a fecal impaction which can have serious, life-threatening complications. That’s why it’s important to treat constipation if you get it. Here are some tips to help prevent and treat constipation.

Stay hydrated: it’s important to stay hydrated to keep your body functioning normally, are advised to drink around 1.5 – 2 litres of fluid each day, and children around 1 – 1.5 litres each day. If you are losing fluid due to hot weather, sweating, exercise, vomiting or diarrhoea, you will need to drink more.

Eat enough fibre: adding fibre-rich foods to your diet will help bowel movements. Foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are great additions to a healthy diet.

Keep active: regular exercise helps to promote natural muscle contractions in your bowel wall. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This could be a brisk walk.

Try natural laxatives: some foods have a natural laxative effect and may help relieve constipation. These include green kiwifruit, bran, and fruits high in sorbitol (e.g., peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, and cherries).

Take an OTC medicine: there are many OTC medications for constipation available from pharmacies. Some are meant for short-term use and others for long-term use.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist: If you are worried about your bowel movements, or that a medicine you are taking is causing constipation speak to your doctor or pharmacist. They can check your medicines and symptoms and make a recommendation.