Medication Commonly Prescribed for Constipation

Medication commonly prescribed

There are several popular prescription medications and treatments for constipation. This has been my experience. Please be sure to consult your doctor before trying anything described here.

My initial treatments were Metamucil or Benefiber. They definitely work, and because they are drug-free, they are generally the first thing you should try. Also be sure to keep your fiber intake at 25 grams for adult women and 38 grams for adult men. Be sure to drink 3.7 liters (125 oz) for men and 2.7 liters (91.3 oz) for women.

Metamucil

Metamucil is psyllium husk, which forms a viscous gel that traps some sugars and carbohydrates. These sugars are released into the body, which helps maintain blood sugar. This gel traps some bile acids, preventing the small intestine from absorbing them. It also absorbs and retains water to soften the stool and relieve constipation.

Benefiber

Benefiber is a natural fiber supplement that is helpful for maintaining fiber levels. Benefiber adds bulk to the stool and absorbs water to promote easy stool passage. It behaves as a probiotic, which helps support good bacteria.

Prescription medications

If these are not sufficient, your doctor can prescribe Linzess or Ibsrela. There are other medications available, but I only have experience with these, so I will limit my discussion to these two. Again, please consult your doctor before trying any of them.

Linzess

Linzess worked partially for me. It is recommended to take one pill in the morning before breakfast. I had to combine it with prune juice (6 oz daily in the morning). The results would be explosive between one and six hours after taking the medication. Adjusting the prune juice helped reduce the aggressiveness of the movement.

Ibsrela

Ibsrela is taken twice a day before meals. My movements became sporadic throughout the morning, but they were not explosive. I did not need prune juice with Ibsrela.

Please understand that everyone’s results will be different. Leave a comment if you have experienced these or any other medications.