Abstract
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder that may occur as occasional (acute) episodes, but can also persist over longer periods of time. Patients usually self-diagnose and self-manage constipation with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, so in terms of medical advice/consultation, the pharmacist is often the first point of contact. Patients’ self-management of constipation helps to free up primary care resources to focus on more complex conditions. However, there is no clear guidance on the appropriate, practice-oriented approach to, and the limitations of, self-management of constipation. The objective of this article is to provide up-to-date clinical practice guidance for healthcare professionals, particularly community pharmacists, to assist in the day-to-day management of patients who present with constipation. Here, we discuss typical clinical factors (e.g. symptom duration, warning symptoms and treatment response) that help to distinguish whether constipation can be self-managed or if further medical assessment is required. We have also developed screening questions and a patient management algorithm to help pharmacists and pharmacy technicians make appropriate decisions when a patient presents with symptoms of constipation or requests advice after initiation of OTC medications.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
