Contents
Approximately one in three parents see a doctor about bowel problems in children (1). Special medications can help with constipation.
Laxatives for children differ in their mechanism of action, they have different effects on facilitating bowel movements. There are drugs that irritate, increase the volume of intestinal contents and soften the stool.
Irritants stimulate the peristalsis of the rectum, acting on its receptors, accelerate the withdrawal of feces and complete emptying of the intestine. Volumetric ones swell in the intestines, retaining water, thereby accelerating the process of peristalsis and emptying the intestines. Emollients help soften feces, lubricate the intestinal mucosa.
Top 9 quick laxatives for children according to KP
Laxatives are available in various forms: syrups, drops, suppositories, tablets, capsules, powders. You can choose the drug according to the age and individual characteristics of the children. But first you should consult with a pediatrician.
1. “Bisakodil”
One of the most affordable drugs from the group of “irritants”. Suppositories “Bisacodyl” begin to act within an hour after administration. In tablets, the effect appears after 6 hours.
The active substance – bisacodyl – stimulates the contraction of the intestinal walls and promotes stagnant feces to the exit, emptying is easy. Important: in children, the drug is used only as directed by a doctor.
Main characteristics
| Form | rectal suppositories, tablets |
| Active substance | good hearted |
| Age | tablets from 6 years old, suppositories from 2 years old |
| Противопоказания | acute pathologies of the stomach and intestines, polyps in the intestines, intestinal obstruction, severe dehydration, severe abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. |
Advantages and disadvantages
2. “Mikrolax”
The tiny tubes contain a combined preparation with a complex action: sorbitol stimulates the flow of water, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate dilutes the intestinal contents, sodium citrate softens the stool.
The main thing is to do everything right: gently insert the tip, squeeze out the contents and turn the child on his back.
This is a variant of a quick laxative that is suitable for children: the drug begins to act in 15-30 minutes.
Main characteristics
| Form | solution for rectal administration in disposable tubes (microclysters) |
| Active substance | sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sorbitol |
| Age | since birth |
| Противопоказания | increased individual sensitivity to the components of the drug |
Advantages and disadvantages
3. “Gutallax”
Promotes the accumulation of water in the intestines, which in turn softens the stool; stimulates the mucosa of the large intestine, improving its peristalsis.
The drug is started from the lowest dose, increasing it until (within the daily norm) until the stool becomes regular. Recommended for both acute and chronic constipation.
For infants, the remedy in drops is given strictly according to the pediatrician’s prescription.
Main characteristics
| Form | oral drops, tablets, rectal suppositories |
| Active substance | sodium picosulfate; suppositories contain bisacodyl |
| Age | drops – from birth, tablets – from 4 years old, candles – from 10 years old |
| Противопоказания | allergy to the components of the drug, intestinal obstruction, acute pathologies of the abdominal cavity, severe dehydration, lactose deficiency; suppositories are contraindicated in renal and hepatic insufficiency |
Advantages and disadvantages
4. Forlax for children
Powder with fruit flavors, mixed with water or juice, you can easily get a solution for drinking. Acts as a filler: in the intestines it swells and increases in volume, facilitating emptying. The effect occurs in about a day or two.
Long-term treatment with Forlax is allowed, but not more than three months. Preferred for chronic constipation.
Main characteristics
| Form | powder for oral solution |
| Active substance | macrogol |
| Age | from 6 months |
| Противопоказания | hypersensitivity to substances in the composition, intestinal obstruction, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, abdominal pain, ulcer and Crohn’s disease, holes in the walls of the intestine and stomach, suspicion of a surgical pathology of the gynecological profile |
Advantages and disadvantages
5. “Help”
Vegetable syrup, enriched with vitamins C and group B, is designed to regulate digestion processes, has a tonic effect. With regular use of the syrup for 30 days, the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines should increase, which leads to increased peristalsis and facilitates emptying.
Main characteristics
| Form | syrup |
| Active substance | lactulose, extracts of anise, fennel, cumin, strawberries, cherries, apples. |
| Age | from 3 years |
| Противопоказания | individual intolerance to the components |
Advantages and disadvantages
6. Tranzipeg
From the powder, a solution with a pleasant taste of apple or lemon is obtained. “Tranzipeg” softens fecal masses, retaining water in the large intestine, is not absorbed and is excreted from the body unchanged. Does not irritate mucous membranes.
It will not help quickly: you will have to wait 1-2 days for the action.
Main characteristics
| Form | powder for solution |
| Active substance | macrogol |
| Age | with 1 years |
| Противопоказания | hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, phenylketonuria, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, chronic heart failure, dehydration, abdominal pain of unknown origin, severe bowel disease |
Advantages and disadvantages
7. “Trimedat”
Antispasmodic, is prescribed not only for constipation, but also for other gastrointestinal problems (irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia). Normalizes intestinal motility, regulates peristalsis, accelerating and stimulating fecal evacuation, relaxes the esophageal sphincter. All this leads to easier emptying.
Work “Trimedat” begins an hour after entering the gastrointestinal tract. The duration of use is determined by the doctor.
Main characteristics
| Form | tablets, powder for suspension |
| Active substance | trimebutine maleate |
| Age | from 3 years |
| Противопоказания | hypersensitivity to substances in the composition; lactose deficiency |
Advantages and disadvantages
8. “Fitolax”
Mild laxative with a natural composition. Stimulates bowel function and digestive processes. Emptying occurs within 8-12 hours. A course intake of up to 14 days is recommended in order to normalize the condition of the intestinal walls and the composition of gastric juice, to form a healthy microflora.
Main characteristics
| Form | chewable tablets, tea, fruit bars, concentrated drink |
| Active substance | apricot powder, extracts of senna, plantain, dill |
| Age | from 14 years |
| Противопоказания | individual intolerance to components, acute pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract |
Advantages and disadvantages
9. “Dufalak”
Means for the normalization of intestinal motility. The intestinal flora of the colon breaks down lactulose into organic acids. The contents of the intestines increase and soften, causing easy emptying. In addition, lactulose stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria, helping to restore normal microflora.
“Duphalac” is practically not absorbed into the body and, having done its job, is quickly excreted. The laxative effect occurs 2-3 days after the first dose.
Main characteristics
| Form | syrup |
| Active substance | lactulose |
| Age | since birth |
| Противопоказания | hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, galactosemia, obstruction or risk of perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, lactose deficiency |
Advantages and disadvantages
How to choose a laxative for a child
Many laxatives for children are available without a prescription. But in any case, each drug should be recommended by a doctor, taking into account potential side effects, associated individual characteristics and problems.
Be sure to take into account the age of the child. The laxative should act gently, without injuring the intestinal walls, not cause pain and not pose a danger to the health of the child.
There are a few important things to keep in mind when using laxatives.
- Laxatives in many cases are a temporary solution to the problem; it will occur periodically until the root cause is eliminated.
- With primary constipation, you can cope with the problem by adjusting the child’s eating behavior and using folk methods.
- It takes about two weeks to normalize the stool. The effectiveness of the drug will be assessed by the doctor and, depending on the situation, will cancel the drug, replace it with another one, or recommend continuing the drug (2).
Popular questions and answers
Difficulties with bowel movements can occur in a child at any age. It is important to understand how to quickly help him without harming him. We answer popular questions from readers.
What is the best form of laxative to use for children?
It is useful to increase the amount of liquid you drink, namely water.
You can make decoctions that improve intestinal motility. For example, a decoction of the collection of buckthorn bark, cumin and rowan fruits or an infusion of mint with chamomile.
Syrups, drops, microclysters or rectal suppositories are suitable for a baby and children under 4 years of age. Older children can be given laxatives in any form.
For children under one year old, laxatives can be given in the form of syrup or microclysters.
In what cases should you see a doctor?
If there is a complaint, do not wait until constipation becomes a constant companion of life. We need to find the cause and eliminate it. Even with intestinal anomalies such as dolichocolon or dolichosigma, a laxative is a temporary measure, structured therapy is needed. Sometimes, with this pathology, doctors simply prescribe a long-term use of a laxative, which is fundamentally wrong and aggravates the condition.
One of the dangerous pathologies that accompany constipation may be a violation of intestinal patency. It can be congenital or occur due to malnutrition or a foreign object entering the intestines.
You should definitely and urgently consult a doctor if:
• the child has no stool for more than two days,
• do not leave gases,
• there was vomiting,
• the temperature has risen and is holding.
In these situations, it is better to call an ambulance and not waste precious time going to the clinic.
In any situation where there is constipation, it is important to contact a specialist and solve the problem, and not fight the investigation.
Sources of
- Functional constipation in children: modern diagnostic criteria and approaches to treatment. Zakharova I.N., Kulikov A.G., Osmanov I.M. // Pediatrics (Appendix to the journal Consilium Medicum). 2018. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/funktsionalnyy-zapor-u-detey-sovremennye-kriterii-diagnostiki-i-podhody-k-lecheniyu
- Modern recommendations for the management of children with functional constipation. Bulatov V.P., Kamalova A.A., Shakirova A.R., Sozinova A.A. // Bulletin of Perinatology and Pediatrics, 5, 2015. URL: https://www.ped-perinatology.ru/jour/article/view/177/218
- Constipation in children: to help the pediatrician. Zakharova I.N., Sugyan N.G., Maikova I.D., Berezhnaya I.V., Kolobashkina I.M. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/zapory-u-detey-v-pomosch-pediatru/viewer