The Dangers of Stimulant Laxatives

updated 01/16/2008

Stimulant laxatives often times use toxic and harsh herbs and chemicals in their formulae. Stimulant laxatives work by causing intestinal muscles to spasm and contract. People are drawn to these because they usually take effect in hours as opposed to days.

With these laxatives you run into the same danger as osmotic laxatives. The gas-related pain and dehydration are possible. Another danger is that they are very highly addictive and overuse and cause long-term damage to your intestinal lining. After using these laxatives for a while your intestines will grow dependent upon them and will require them to have any bowel movement. The condition is called "Lazy Bowel Syndrome" and it is basically having loss of bowel muscle tone and strength. As a result of this condition you can expect to have chronic constipation.

Examples of Stimulant Laxatives

• Castor Oil: Now® Foods Castor Oil, Sway® Castor Oil
• Senna: Traditional Medicinals® Smooth Move Herbal Stimulant Laxative Tea, Senokot®, Rite Aid® Senna Laxative, ex-lax®, Fleet® Liquid Glycerin Suppositories
• Bisacodyl: Rite Aid® Corrective Laxative Tablet, Fleet Bisacodyl®, Dulcolax®, Gentlax-S®, Correctol® Bisacodyl Stimulant Laxative
• Cascara Sagrada: Nature's Way® Cascara Sagrada Aged Bark

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