Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative which can be purchased over-the-counter, without a prescription. Magnesium citrate helps relieve constipation by drawing water into the small intestines, usually causing a bowel movement within 30 minutes to three hours, according to the American Cancer Society. If taking magnesium citrate doesn't result in a bowel movement and you've already tried other at-home treatments like increasing your fiber intake, it is important to talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Certain lifestyle and diet changes may help relieve constipation if gentle laxatives such as magnesium citrate do not work. Simply drinking plenty of water, eating more high-fiber foods and limiting foods with little or no fiber can be an effective way to relieve constipation -- getting at least 20 to 35 g of fiber per day is essential for forming soft, bulky stools, says MayoClinic.com. Some good high-fiber foods for constipation include fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains; foods that lack fiber and should be avoided when you're constipated include cheese, meat and many processed foods. Besides changing your diet, engaging in daily exercise may also help treat constipation, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Other OTC Laxatives
If magnesium citrate does not work for your constipation, other over-the-counter laxatives might. Bulk-forming laxatives, or fiber supplements, are considered the safest type of laxative and work the same way that saline laxatives do -- by drawing water into the colon. Other types of OTC laxatives include: stimulant laxatives which promote bowel movements by causing muscle contractions in the intestines; lubricants that grease the stool to ease its passage through the intestines; osmotics, which cause fluid to flow through the colon in a way that encourages bowel movements; and stool softeners. While you may be able to purchase OTC laxatives without a prescription, some are associated with health contraindications and can become habit-forming. Consult your doctor before taking laxatives.
Prescription Treatments and Procedures
If you've already tried making lifestyle changes and taking OTC laxatives such as magnesium citrate and continue to experience constipation, your doctor may recommend a prescription laxative. These include chloride channel activators such as lubiprostone, which promotes bowel movements by increasing intestinal fluids and motility. If prescription laxatives are not effective in relieving your constipation, your physician may need to perform a manual procedure in which the impacted stool is manually disimpacted and then a laxative enema is administered. Rarely, in cases of severe and chronic constipation, a surgical procedure involving removal of part of the colon may be recommended.
Considerations
Sometimes an underlying health condition will cause constipation, in which case treatment will be aimed at addressing that particular cause. For example, for constipation caused by pelvic floor dysfunction, your doctor may use biofeedback in order to retrain the muscles you use to make a bowel movement, according to MayoClinic.com. If you take opioid pain relievers, you may need to take laxatives regularly, per your doctor's advice, in order to prevent severe complications such as fecal impaction. According to FamilyDoctor.org, you should call your family doctor if you have abdominal pain, blood in your stools, unintentional weight loss, or you've been constipated for at least three weeks despite lifestyle changes.
