Table 4.
Summary of natural/behavioral therapies and laxative utilization for management of OIC.
| Baseline (N = 31) | |
|---|---|
| Use within each category (past 2 weeks) | |
| Natural/behavioral approachesa (N, %) | |
| ≥1 | 28 (90.3) |
| ≥2 | 17 (54.8) |
| ≥3 | 9 (29.0) |
| OTC laxativesb (N, %) | |
| ≥1 | 20 (64.5) |
| ≥2 | 8 (25.8) |
| ≥3 | 2 (6.5) |
| Prescription agentsc (N, %) | |
| ≥1 | 6 (19.4) |
| ≥2 | 2 (6.5) |
| ≥3 | 1 (3.2) |
| Natural/behavioral approaches and laxative combinations (N, %) | |
| Natural/behavioral approaches and OTC laxative | 16 (51.6) |
| ≥1 Natural/behavioral therapies only | 6 (19.4) |
| ≥1 OTC only | 2 (6.5) |
| Natural/behavioral approaches, OTC laxative, and prescription agent | 2 (6.5) |
| Natural/behavioral approaches and prescription agent | 4 (12.9) |
| No natural/behavioral approach or laxative use | 1 (3.2) |
aIncludes probiotics, natural dietary changes, increased fluids, increased exercise, and fiber supplements.
bIncludes stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, saline laxatives, rectal options, and other OTC products.
cIncludes prescription osmotic laxatives, lactulose, Amitiza®, Relistor®, and other prescription agents.
OTC, over-the-counter.