Table 1.

Characteristics of various constipation medications

Classification 1	Classification 2	Common name	Form	Compliance, times/day	Adaptation	Water secretion action	Peristaltic stimulant action	Recovery of defecation desire
Bulking agents		Polycarbophil calcium	Tablet	1–3	Bowel movements (diarrhea/constipation) and gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome	〇
		Carmellose sodium	Powder	3	Constipation	〇
Osmotic laxative	Sugar-based laxative	Lactulose	Syrup, jelly	1–2	Constipation (children only), bowel movements after obstetrics, and gynecology surgery	〇	〇
					Chronic constipation (excluding organic diseases), bowel movement disorder after obstetrics, and gynecology surgery
	Salt-based laxative	MgO	Tablet, powder	1–3	Constipation, gastric/duodenal ulcer	〇
					Abnormal upper gastrointestinal function
		Polyethylene glycol	Powder	1–3	Chronic constipation (excluding organic diseases)	〇
Small bowel stimulant laxatives		Castor oil	Liquid		Constipation, elimination of intestinal contents before and after surgery		〇
Large intestine stimulant laxative	Anthraquinone	Senna	Tablet, powder	1	Constipation		〇
		Sennoside
		Aloe
		Rhubarb
	Diphenyl	Sodium picosulfate	Liquid	1	Constipation, postoperative defecation assistance	〇	〇
Intestinal secretagogues	Chloride channel activator	Lubiprostone	Capsule	1–2	Chronic constipation (excluding organic diseases)	〇
	Guanylate cyclase C receptor agonist	Linaclotide	Tablet	1	Chronic constipation	〇
					Constipation-type irritable bowel syndrome
Ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor		Elobixibat	Tablet	1	Chronic constipation (excluding organic diseases)	〇	〇	〇
External medicine	Enema	Glycerin enema	Enema	On-demand		〇	〇
	Suppository	Bisacodyl suppository	Suppository	On-demand	Constipation		〇
		Sodium bicarbonate/anhydrous sodium dihydrogen phosphate suppository	Suppository	On-demand	Constipation		〇
Peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist		Naldemedine	Tablet	1	OIC	〇	〇