RestoraLAX: What You Need to Know
Current over-the-counter therapies are sometimes insufficient for treating chronic constipation, but prescription treatments may be overkill for some people since most treatments can have substantial side effects including cramping, electrolyte imbalances, and dependence.
RestoraLAX is an osmotic laxative made up of polyethylene glycol 3350. RestoraLAX has been shown to be a safe treatment for chronic constipation.
Additionally, RestoraLAX does not cause bloating and cramping as often as other laxatives and also does not lead to electrolyte imbalances like other laxatives. RestoraLAX starts working in as few as 6 hours after ingesting, leading to rapid relief from constipation. Since RestoraLAX is a powder added to a glass of water, the dose can be adjusted easily, unlike a pill.
Overall, RestoraLAX is a well-tolerated laxative that can help alleviate acute or chronic constipation with few side effects. RestoraLAX, like any laxative, can cause dependence with repetitive or long term use. Please consult with your doctor if you have been using it for over a week.
What Is Constipation?
Constipation occurs when bowel movements are passed less frequently than normal (fewer than three per week) and are difficult to pass. With constipation, stool is generally hard and dry and can be painful to pass. Over the counter treatments such as Restoralax may be an option for you.
People with constipation may feel abdominal fullness and/or bloating, abdominal pain, or straining when trying to pass stool. Constipation is considered chronic (long-term) when the infrequency of bowel movements lasts for longer than a few weeks.
Who Experiences Constipation?
If you are experiencing constipation, you may feel isolated and alone. However, constipation is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) problem. In Canada, it is estimated that around 1 in 4 adults suffers from symptoms of constipation.
What Are The Causes of Constipation?
Lifestyle changes such as dietary alterations, decreased exercise, or pregnancy can contribute to constipation. On the other hand, increased exercise can promote bowel regularity and prevent constipation.
Additionally, a lack of dietary fiber can also cause constipation. Adult females should consume at least 21-25 grams of fiber daily and adult males should consume at least 30-38 grams of fiber daily. You can check the amount of fiber in packaged foods by looking at the nutrition facts to ensure that you consume enough fiber daily.
Some common high-fiber foods are oatmeal, bran, beans, most vegetables, and many fruits. If it is challenging to eat enough high fiber foods to alleviate constipation, fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil) and methylcellulose (Citrucel) can be added to your diet as well. Fiber supplements can cause bloating and gas in people who have underlying gastrointestinal conditions, so speak with your doctor prior to taking fiber supplements.
Some medications, especially opiate pain killers, can also cause constipation. Some other common medications that can cause constipation include, but are not limited to, antidepressants, antacids, and iron supplements. If you regularly take medications that list constipation as a side effect, it could be beneficial to increase dietary fiber intake.
Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may also suffer from constipation. People with IBS usually also experience bloating, abdominal pain, and gas. Because of the many symptoms associated with IBS, dietary fiber may not be the best treatment.
Overuse of over-the-counter laxatives can also lead to chronic constipation, therefore using many laxatives continually may be detrimental. This makes it challenging for people suffering from chronic constipation to find relief via a safe treatment.
If you are experiencing constipation, you may feel isolated and alone. However, constipation is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) problem. In Canada, it is estimated that around 1 in 4 adults suffers from symptoms of constipation.
Why Is It Important to Treat Constipation?
Most people who have constipation find relief with over-the-counter treatments. However, chronic constipation can cause serious discomfort and many people find no relief with standard therapies. Moreover, constant straining to pass stool can lead to serious damage to the anus including hemorrhoids and anal fistulas.
Chronic constipation can also cause fecal impaction, a large lump of dry, unpassed stool that builds up in the rectum over time. Moreover, fecal impaction can lead to severe complications.
In addition to the physical ramifications of chronic constipation, many people with chronic constipation begin to withdraw from society after finding no relief for their condition. The toll of chronic constipation is commonly overlooked as the condition is not usually immediately life-threatening. People with chronic constipation suffer greatly and usually in silence.
What Are The Current Over-the-Counter Treatments For Constipation?
If changing your diet and exercise routine does not help with chronic constipation, there are many over-the-counter medications that can help. As mentioned above, fiber supplements can help promote regular stools.
Stimulants can cause the bowel muscles to contract and, thus, pass stools. There are several kinds of stimulants including bisacodyl (Dulcolax) and sennosides (Ex-lax). Stimulants can cause severe abdominal pain from GI muscle cramps, more often than other laxatives.
Osmotics are another treatment for constipation that promote bowel movements by increasing the influx of fluid into the intestines. Examples of osmotics are magnesium citrate, polyethylene glycol (Glycolax), magnesium hydroxide (Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia), and lactulose (Cholac).
Lubricants (such as mineral oil) are another type of laxative that can help stools pass by lubricating the intestine. Stool softeners, like docustate calcium and docustate sodium, can also treat constipation by making stools softer and easier to pass by bringing water into the stool from the intestines. There are also several types of suppositories and enemas that can promote the passage of stools.
What Are The Current Prescription Treatments For Constipation?
Even though there are many options of over-the-counter treatments for constipation, some people with chronic constipation still find no relief from their symptoms. It is common for people with IBS to require stronger medications, via prescription, than those available over-the-counter. There are prescription medications that draw water into the intestines (such as Linaclotide).
Another class of prescription medications is serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptors (Prucalopride), which help pass stool through the intestines. Additionally, people who take some prescription painkillers (opioid narcotics) commonly suffer from constipation. These patients may find relief from medications called peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs). PAMORAs help block the effects of narcotics in the gastrointestinal tract to alleviate constipation.
When Should I Take RestoraLAX Morning or Night?
There is no specific time which is best to take RestoraLAX. It should not be taken within 2 hours of other medications as it can minimize their effectiveness. That being said, it would likely be advisable to take RestoraLAX during the morning so that you are not waking up to go to the washroom in the middle of the night.
How Long Does it Take For RestorLAX to Work?
There is a dose dependent response with RestoraLAX. RestoraLAX usually starts working in as few as 6 hours after ingesting, leading to quick relief from constipation. For full effect, it can take two to four days of daily dosing for RestoraLAX to relieve more severe symptoms of constipation.
Can You Take RestoraLAX Everyday?
It is not recommended to take RestoraLAX on a daily basis for longer than seven days. Doing so can lead to electrolyte disturbances and dependency issues for proper bowel function. If you are having to use RestoraLAX for longer than seven days, it is best to speak with your doctor for further advice and guidance.
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