Constipation caused by medicines: Information for patients and carers

 This advice is sourced from Dr Ros Taylor a senior palliative physician

These are some questions I am often asked about constipation and medication.

Which medicines cause constipation?

Many painkillers especially morphine and related medicines such as codeine, tramadol, fentanyl and oxycodone.

Nerve pain medicines such as pregabalin, gabapentin and amitriptyline.

Muscle relaxants such as buscopan and some anti-sickness drugs like cyclizine and ondansetron.

How do these medicines cause constipation?

The main reason that medicines cause constipation is that they slow down bowel transit time (the amount of time it takes for food to pass down through the digestive system).

The longer bowel contents are in the bowel, the drier they get as water is absorbed out of the stools back into the body. 

What are the best treatments for constipation caused by medication?

You need treatments to speed up the bowel (e.g. senna or picosulfate) whilst taking medication that slows the bowel down.

You may need something to soften the stools (e.g. laxido, movicol or docusate).

If you have always had a medication for constipation that works well for you this is the one to use initially.

What are the other approaches that can help?

Remember that drinking enough fluid is crucial for softening stools.

Eating foods which contain fibre also helps (e.g. fruit, vegetables, wholegrains).

If the stool is really hard to push out, then gylcerine suppositories may help soften the stool and make it easier to pass.

Good toilet posture can be very helpful. This webpage from Macmillan explains how sitting in the right position on the toilet can help.

If constipation improves can I stop taking laxatives?

It is recommended to always use regular laxatives whilst taking regular medication, particularly strong painkillers.

 

Recommended Resources

Macmillan Cancer Support: Managing bowel late effects

Published 31st July 2021

Share

Related Services

Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice
Close

Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice

T. 020 8967 5179

W. http://meadowhouse.lnwh.nhs.uk/our-services/community-team/

The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Team provides advice and visiting to palliative care patients in Ealing and Hounslow. The team are based at Meadow House Hospice.

The team will visit patients with progressive life limiting illness in their own homes. They provide specialist advice around pain and symptom control and support for patients, their families, and carers during the last stages of illness. They also support patients wishing to die at home through coordination with GPs and hospital teams.

The team is comprised of medical consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, a bereavement support officer and a patient and carer advocacy worker

The team can be contacted for referrals Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Between Monday to Friday 5.00pm and 8.30am, the Out of Hours Telephone Advice line 020 8102 5000 takes calls. Weekends and Bank Holidays 5.00pm to 9.00am.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.1 (DOCX)
District Nurses Ealing
Close

The District Nurses are based at Featherstone Road Health Centre, Acton Health Centre and Greenford Green Clinic.

Referrals can be made Monday to Sunday 8.00am to 8.00pm.

The Rapid Response District Nurse team are based at Clayponds Hospital and referrals can be made Monday to Sunday 8.00am to 12.00pm.

Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association (IA)
Close

Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association (IA)

T. 0800 0184 724

W. https://iasupport.org/about/about-ia/

Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association, known as IA, has been specialising in supporting people living with an ileostomy.

IA has not only an extensive network of local groups across the UK and Ireland but also the majority of volunteers are living life after surgery.

Feedback