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. 2010 Aug 9;5:163–171. doi: 10.2147/cia.s8100

Table 1.

Common causes of constipation in the elderly

Medications

  • Analgesics (opiates, tramadol, NSAIDs)

  • Tricyclic antidepressants

  • Anticholinergic agents

  • Calcium channel blockers

  • Anti-parkinsonian drugs (dopaminergic agents)

  • Antipsychotics (phenothiazine derivatives)

  • Antacids (calcium and aluminum)

  • Calcium supplements

  • Bile acid resins

  • Iron supplements

  • Antihistamines

  • Diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)

  • Anticonvulsants

Endocrine and metabolic diseases

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Hyperparathyroidism

  • Chronic renal disease

Neurologic disorders

  • Cerebrovascular disease and stroke

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Autonomic neuropathy

  • Spinal cord lesions

  • Dementia

Myopathic disorders

  • Amyloidosis

  • Scleroderma

Others

  • Depression

  • General disability

  • Poor mobility