Table 2.
Current recommended dosages of pharmacological agents for the treatment of constipation.
Type | Agent | Dose |
---|---|---|
Prosecretory agent | Linaclotide | 290 μg oral daily (IBS-C); 145 μg oral daily (CIC) |
| ||
Fibre supplement | Psyllium | 12 g daily or as tolerated; incremental increases of 3-4 g/week to achieve target consumption |
| ||
Prokinetic agent | Prucalopride | 2 mg oral daily; dose reduces to 1 mg oral daily in patients ≥65 years of age or renal insufficiency with creatinine clearance ≤30 mL/min |
| ||
Osmotic laxative | Lactulose | 15–30 mL oral twice daily as needed |
PEG 3350 | 17 g/day as needed | |
Magnesium hydroxide∗ | 15–30 mL (80 mg/mL) oral daily as needed | |
| ||
Stimulant laxative | Sodium picosulfate | 10 mg once daily |
Senna | 8.6–17.2 mg once daily | |
Bisacodyl | 5–15 mg once daily |
∗Avoid in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.