Liquid Laxative for Constipation Relief | Dulcolax® Laxative Solutions (2024)

FAQs

What is the best laxative that works immediately? ›

Relief within minutes. Rectal enemas and suppositories are the fastest acting laxatives available. These include saline and mineral oil enemas as well as glycerin and bisacodyl rectal suppositories. Common OTC products in this group include Fleet enema, Pedia-Lax, and the Magic Bullet.

Instead, over-the-counter drugs such as polyethylene glycol (Miralax and generic), bisacodyl (Dulcolax laxative tablets and generic), or senna (Ex-Lax, Senokot, and generic) are a far better choice. They tend to work at least as well, often have more evidence for their safety, and are much cheaper.

Dulcolax^® Liquid is stimulant-free and works naturally with the water in your body to provide gentle, fast-acting constipation relief in as little as 30 minutes (30 minutes to 6 hours). Stool Softeners are also stimulant-free, but they have a longer acting time (12 to 72 hours).

If you take a laxative and it doesn't work, or stops working after time, be sure to let your healthcare provider know. You could be overusing the laxative, or you may have a blockage in your bowels that's preventing the laxative from working.

Home remedies include increasing your fiber intake or taking a laxative, using a suppository, or taking a stool softener. Trying out a squat position, doing light exercise, or performing a colonic massage may also help.

For example, the laxatives that will help you poop fastest (within minutes or hours) are enemas and suppositories that inject the medicine directly into your anus. But there are tradeoffs. These types have a greater risk of side effects, like diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Physical assisted removal: A medical professional uses a gloved finger to manually remove poop from your rectum (digital disimpaction) or perform an abdominal massage to target the stuck stool. Laxatives: You can drink a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution or use an over-the counter (OTC) laxative to cleanse your colon.

Don't Strain. To make hard stools easier to pass, sit on the toilet with your back straight and your elbows on your knees. Your legs should be apart and your knees should be higher than your hips (a footstool can help). Take a deep breath and push your stomach muscles forward.

Dulcolax^® Suppositories provide fast and effective relief in as little as 15 to 60 minutes. Stimulates your bowel muscles while hydrating your gut to soften stools and make them easier to pass. Suppositories deliver the active ingredient directly into the rectum for effective relief where it's needed.

What to do if laxatives don't work? ›

If laxatives and suppositories do not help, enema, water irrigation, or manual evacuation may be necessary. Prompt medical help for constipation can avoid fecal impaction, which can lead to damage in the rectum and other complications. If fecal impaction occurs, there are several treatment options.

If a person has difficulty pooping, they may be constipated. Having fewer than three bowel movements in a week can be another sign of constipation. Other potential reasons a stool gets stuck may include certain medications, cancer treatments, and underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.

Fecal impaction often occurs in people who have had constipation for a long time and have been using laxatives. The problem is even more likely when the laxatives are suddenly stopped. The muscles of the intestines forget how to move stool or feces on their own.

Drinking plenty of water: Drinking more water can help soften stool. Receiving an enema: An enema involves inserting liquid or gas into the rectum to empty the bowels or administer medication. Enemas add water to the stool and can stimulate the impulse to poop.

First, try drinking a cup of warm water, wait 30 minutes, and then gently massage your lower abdomen to try to stimulate the area. If that doesn't seem to help, take a hot shower, with the water concentrated on your lower back.