TABLE 3.
Reasons for Dissatisfaction with Laxatives at Baseline by Laxative Classification
| Reason Dissatisfied, n (%) | OTC | Prescription | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Supplements n = 37 | Stool Softeners n = 43 | Osmotic Laxatives n = 25 | Stimulant Laxatives n = 40 | Saline Laxatives n = 23 | Rectal Options n = 10 | Osmotic Laxatives n = 9 | Lactulose n = 9 | Amitiza n = 7 | Relistor n = 1 | |
| Did not relieve constipation | 26 (70.3) | 31 (72.1) | 21 (84.0) | 23 (57.5) | 15 (65.2) | 6 (60.0) | 3 (33.3) | 6 (66.7) | 5 (71.4) | 1 (100.0) |
| Stools too loose | 5 (13.5) | 6 (14.0) | 4 (16.0) | 4 (10.0) | 3 (13.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (22.2) | 1 (11.1) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| Feeling of needing to have a BM comes on too quickly | 4 (10.8) | 4 (9.3) | 1 (4.0) | 5 (12.5) | 3 (13.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (11.1) | 3 (33.3) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| Could not tolerate side effects of treatment | 4 (10.8) | 5 (11.6) | 3 (12.0) | 7 (17.5) | 2 (8.7) | 1 (10.0) | 2 (22.2) | 1 (11.1) | 3 (42.9) | 1 (100.0) |
| Inconvenient to use | 5 (13.5) | 3 (7.0) | 3 (12.0) | 3 (7.5) | 2 (8.7) | 2 (20.0) | 2 (22.2) | 2 (22.2) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| Unpleasant to take or use | 6 (16.2) | 3 (7.0) | 4 (16.0) | 4 (10.0) | 7 (30.4) | 3 (30.0) | 2 (22.2) | 6 (66.7) | 1 (14.3) | 0 (0.0) |
| Expensive | 4 (10.8) | 5 (11.6) | 2 (8.0) | 6 (15.0) | 3 (13.0) | 1 (10.0) | 2 (22.2) | 1 (11.1) | 2 (28.6) | 0 (0.0) |
| Other | 2 (5.4) | 6 (14.0) | 1 (4.0) | 7 (17.5) | 2 (8.7) | 2 (20.0) | 1 (11.1) | 1 (11.1) | 1 (14.3) | 0 (0.0) |
BM = bowel movement; OTC = over-the-counter.