A comparative review of common laxatives in the treatment of constipation.

Abstract

Constipation is a common condition that affects people all over the world. A frequently sought out solution to this problem consists of laxatives, especially since these medications are easily accessible over-the-counter in most pharmacies. This has led laxative spending in North America alone to be approximately $500 million per year. Due to this large expenditure, a review of the available laxative data was completed and common laxative classes were evaluated and contrasted for the purposes of evaluating cost-effectiveness. Despite the wide use of laxatives, very little research has been done to evaluate their efficacy. Even less has been done to analyze these medications from a cost standpoint. Although laxatives are very commonly prescribed and used over-the-counter, more research attention should be granted on determining the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of laxative use.