Laxatives are medications that encourage bowel movement. Osmotic laxatives cause your feces to retain more water as it passes through your colon, the Bupa UK website explains. The resulting feces is less solid but also easier to pass. Lactulose, macrogol and magnesium are examples of osmotic laxatives. There are three main types of osmotic laxatives: saline, lactulose and polyglycol, MayoClinic.com explains. Regardless of type, osmotic laxatives have beneficial effects on constipation, hyper-acidity and blood pressure.
Alleviate Constipation
Magnesium supplements, lactulose and macrogol help ease constipation. Lactulose also decreases the toxins absorbed into your body, KidsHealth.org notes. Lactulose is usually mixed with a beverage or something sweet to improve its taste. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages with lactulose in order to maximize its laxative effects. Consult your doctor before taking magnesium supplements if you have a heart or kidney condition, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Doing so will lower your risk of side effects and adverse reactions. According to a 2009 study published in the "Archives of Disease in Childhood," macrogol improved overall gut motility in addition to alleviating constipation among children up to 3 years.
Hyper-Acidity
Some osmotic laxatives such as magnesium also function as antacids, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Magnesium hydroxide in particular is used to counter hyper-acidity aside from being used as a laxative. Lactulose takes more time to take effect compared to the other two types of osmotic laxatives. However, lactulose also helps lower the ammonia levels in your blood, MayoClinic.com explains. Lactulose requires a prescription.
Prevent Eclampsia
Magnesium is essential to heart function and lowers the risk of high blood pressure, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. By helping to regulate blood pressure, magnesium also reduces the risk of eclampsia. Eclampsia refers to seizures that occur as a result of a sharp elevation of blood pressure during the third trimester of pregnancy, or pre-eclampsia. Magnesium supplements also help lower your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Side Effects
Osmotic laxatives like lactulose cause side effects such as stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, KidsHealth.org notes. Diarrhea and abdominal pain are other side effects of lactulose. Dizziness, arrhythmia and muscle cramps are also possible side effects of osmotic laxatives, MayoClinic.com says. Confusion and unusual weakness or exhaustion are also possible side effects. Lactulose and magnesium interact with antacid medications. Diuretic medications lower magnesium levels in your body. Osmotic medications also potentiate the dehydrating effects of diuretics. Magnesium supplements reduce the effectiveness of thyroid medications such as levothyroxine.
References
- "Archives of Disease in Childhood"; Macrogol (Polyethylene Glycol) Laxatives in Children with Functional Constipation and Faecal Impaction: A Systematic Review; D Candy, et al.; 2009 February
- Bupa UK; Laxatives; September 2009
- KidsHealth.org: Lactulose
- Mayo Clinic; Laxative (Oral Route); July 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Magnesium; Steven D. Ehrlich; June 2009
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