Table 4.

Comparison of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of chronic constipation.

Drug	Dose	Number Needed to Treat
PEG [77]	17 g, daily	2 (95% CI: 1–3)
Lactulose [78]	20 g, daily	4 (95% CI: n/a)
Bisacodyl [79]	10 mg, daily	4 (95% CI: n/a)
Lubiprostone [80]	24 μg, twice daily	4 (95% CI: 3–6)
Linaclotide [20]	145 μg, daily	5.6 (95% CI: n/a)
Prucalopride [77]	2 mg, daily	6 (95% CI: 5–9)
Velusetrag [81]	15 mg, daily	3.4 (95% CI: n/a)
Elobixibat [82]	10 mg, daily	3 (95% CI: n/a)

PEG, polyethylene glycol; CI, confidence interval.