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Appropriate use of laxatives in the management of constipation

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Abstract

Chronic constipation is a frequent complaint in clinical practice. It is usually amenable to laxatives, which are available with and without prescription. An overemphasis on evidence-based analysis and aggressive marketing of newly developed laxative agents has tilted the recommendations toward more expensive, but not necessarily more effective, agents. This review addresses each of the four classes of laxatives and provides suggestions about their appropriate use in clinical practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Avenue, H6/516 CSC, Madison, WI, 53792-5124, USA

    Arnold Wald

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  1. Arnold Wald
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Correspondence to Arnold Wald.

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Wald, A. Appropriate use of laxatives in the management of constipation. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 9, 410–414 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-007-0051-y

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