Treatment options for primary constipation

  • Vijayamalini Pampati
  • Ronald Fogel
Article

Opinion statement

Patients suffering from primary constipation often show symptom improvement with increased intake of fiber. Bulk laxatives are a core component of treatment if dietary fiber is unsuccessful in alleviating symptoms. Although there are a number of commercial laxative preparations available, only polyethylene glycol (PEG), an osmotic laxative, should be used on a daily basis. For the elderly, saline laxatives may be used on a regular basis, provided there are no cardiac or renal comorbid contraindications. Tegaserod, a 5-HT4 partial receptor agonist, is approved for the treatment of constipation in female patients. The appropriate role of biofeedback remains to be determined. Surgery should be reserved for patients with slow transit constipation refractory to medical therapy. Patients being considered for surgery should be evaluated at institutions with substantial expertise in the investigation and management of this population.

Keywords

Constipation Irritable Bowel Syndrome Main Side Effect Main Drug Interaction Tegaserod 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Current Science Inc 2004

Authors and Affiliations

  • Vijayamalini Pampati
    • 1
  • Ronald Fogel
    • 1
  1. 1.Division of GastroenterologyHenry Ford HospitalDetroitUSA

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