How do I get rid of constipation caused by medication?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Many common medications can lead to unwanted side effects, and constipation is one of the most prevalent. Learning how to get rid of constipation caused by medication often starts with lifestyle adjustments but may require over-the-counter or even prescription solutions to manage this discomfort effectively.

Quick Summary

Managing medication-induced constipation involves increasing fluid intake, dietary fiber, and physical activity. When lifestyle changes are insufficient, appropriate over-the-counter laxatives, such as osmotic or stimulant types, can provide relief. Persistent or opioid-related cases may require specific prescription therapies under medical guidance.

Key Points

Increase Fluid Intake: Drinking ample non-caffeinated fluids, especially water and prune juice, helps soften dry, hard stool.
Mindful Fiber Adjustment: Increase soluble fiber from fruits and oats, but avoid bulk-forming laxatives if taking opioids, as they can worsen constipation.
Consider OTC Laxatives: Osmotic laxatives (MiraLAX) or stimulant laxatives (Senna) are often recommended for medication-induced constipation when lifestyle changes fail.
Use Prescriptions for OIC: For opioid-induced constipation, special prescription medications like PAMORAs (Relistor, Movantik) target the underlying cause without affecting pain relief.
Consult Your Doctor: It is critical to talk to a healthcare provider before stopping medication or for severe symptoms like rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or persistent constipation.
Incorporate Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps stimulate bowel motility and can relieve symptoms.

Understanding Medication-Induced Constipation

Medication-induced constipation is a common side effect of many drug classes, with opioid pain medications being a particularly frequent culprit. Other medications that can slow down the digestive system include certain antidepressants, calcium channel blockers for blood pressure, iron supplements, and antihistamines. Opioids, for instance, bind to receptors in the gut wall, which reduces the rhythmic muscle contractions that push stool through the intestines. This slowing effect gives the bowel more time to absorb water, resulting in hard, dry, and difficult-to-pass stools.

Initial Management: Lifestyle Changes

For many, the first step in addressing medication-induced constipation is a focus on diet and lifestyle. These strategies are often effective for mild cases and serve as an important foundation for managing more persistent issues.

Increase Fluid Intake

Staying adequately hydrated is crucial for preventing and relieving constipation. Dehydration can exacerbate the problem by causing stools to become even harder and drier. Aim to drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeinated fluids per day. Warm liquids, such as herbal tea or warm water, can be especially helpful in stimulating bowel movements.

Adjust Dietary Fiber

While fiber is generally essential for digestive health, its role in medication-induced constipation requires caution, especially with opioid use.

Soluble Fiber: Found in foods like oatmeal, beans, and apples, soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance that helps soften stool.
Insoluble Fiber: Present in whole grains and leafy vegetables, insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool. However, bulk-forming laxatives that contain insoluble fiber should be avoided by people with opioid-induced constipation, as they can worsen the condition if the gut's motility is significantly slowed.

Incorporate Physical Activity

Regular exercise can help stimulate intestinal muscles and promote regular bowel movements. Even gentle activities, like a daily walk, can be beneficial. Always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen, especially if you have mobility issues.

Establish a Routine

Training your bowels to have a regular schedule can improve consistency. Try to use the bathroom at the same time each day, such as shortly after breakfast. Answer the urge to go promptly; delaying a bowel movement can worsen constipation.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Laxatives

When lifestyle changes aren't enough, several OTC options can help. The best choice depends on the underlying cause of constipation and individual tolerance. It is best to consult a pharmacist or doctor for a recommendation, especially regarding opioid-induced constipation.

Comparison of Common OTC Laxatives


Type of Laxative	How It Works	Common Examples	Onset of Action	Best For	Considerations
Osmotic Laxatives	Draws water into the intestines to soften stool.	Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX), Milk of Magnesia.	1 to 3 days for oral forms.	Mild to moderate constipation; often well-tolerated for long-term use.	Check with a doctor if you have kidney problems.
Stimulant Laxatives	Stimulates intestinal muscles to contract, moving stool along.	Senna (Senokot), Bisacodyl (Dulcolax).	6 to 12 hours for oral forms.	Faster relief; often used for OIC.	Can cause cramping and should not be used long-term due to risk of dependence.
Stool Softeners	Allows water and fat to enter the stool, making it softer.	Docusate sodium (Colace).	12 to 72 hours.	Preventing straining; less effective alone for OIC.	Often combined with stimulants for OIC.
Bulk-Forming Laxatives	Absorbs water to increase stool bulk.	Psyllium (Metamucil), Methylcellulose (Citrucel).	12 hours to 3 days.	General constipation; ineffective and potentially harmful for OIC.	Must be taken with plenty of fluids; can worsen OIC.

Prescription Treatments

For chronic constipation or cases that do not respond to OTC remedies, particularly opioid-induced constipation (OIC), a doctor may prescribe targeted medications.

Peripherally Acting Mu-Opioid Receptor Antagonists (PAMORAs): These drugs block the effects of opioids in the gut without impacting pain relief in the central nervous system. Examples include methylnaltrexone (Relistor), naloxegol (Movantik), and naldemedine (Symproic).
Chloride Channel Activators: These medications, such as lubiprostone (Amitiza), increase fluid secretion in the intestines to help soften stools.
Guanylate Cyclase-C Agonists: Drugs like linaclotide (Linzess) and plecanatide (Trulance) increase intestinal fluid secretion and transit.

When to Contact a Healthcare Professional

While many people can manage medication-induced constipation with at-home strategies and OTC products, it is important to seek medical advice for certain situations.

Your constipation is new, severe, or persistent for more than three weeks.
You experience rectal bleeding, bloody stools, or black stools.
You have severe abdominal pain, bloating, or vomiting.
You experience unexplained weight loss.
OTC laxatives are not providing adequate relief.
You are taking a new opioid medication, and constipation is an immediate problem.

It is crucial to never stop a prescribed medication without first consulting your doctor. A healthcare provider can help you find the safest and most effective solution while continuing your necessary treatment.

Conclusion

Getting rid of constipation caused by medication begins with understanding that lifestyle changes are the first line of defense, though they may not be sufficient for more complex cases like opioid-induced constipation. Options range from simple increases in fluid and modified fiber intake to the use of targeted over-the-counter laxatives. For chronic or stubborn cases, especially involving opioids, prescription medications can specifically counteract the drug's constipating effects. By collaborating with a healthcare provider and being aware of the different treatment pathways, you can find relief and maintain proper digestive function while continuing your necessary medication regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Focus on foods high in soluble fiber, such as oatmeal, barley, legumes, and fruits like prunes, pears, and berries. However, if you are taking opioids, consult your doctor about fiber intake, as bulk-forming products may not be effective and could worsen symptoms.

Yes, bulk-forming laxatives like Metamucil are generally not recommended for opioid-induced constipation (OIC), as they can increase bulk without promoting movement, potentially causing blockage. It is best to use osmotic or stimulant laxatives instead, under a doctor's supervision.

Stimulant laxatives work by causing the muscles of your large intestines to contract. This speeds up the movement of stool through the intestines and helps produce a bowel movement, typically within 6 to 12 hours.

An osmotic laxative, like MiraLAX, draws water into the colon to hydrate and soften the stool, promoting more frequent bowel movements. A stool softener, like Colace, allows water to penetrate the stool, making it easier to pass without stimulating bowel contractions. Stool softeners are often used in combination with stimulants for OIC.

No, you should never stop a prescribed medication without first consulting your healthcare provider. Your doctor can help you find safe and effective ways to manage the constipation while continuing your treatment.

PAMORAs (Peripherally Acting Mu-Opioid Receptor Antagonists) are prescription medications used for opioid-induced constipation that is not relieved by other laxatives. They block the constipating effects of opioids in the gut without interfering with the pain-relieving effects.

Physical activity can stimulate the nerves and muscles of the digestive system, promoting better intestinal motility. Even a light walk for 10-15 minutes a day can help get your bowels moving.

Most OTC stimulant laxatives are not recommended for long-term use, as they can cause dependence. Some osmotic laxatives, like PEG (MiraLAX), may be used long-term under medical supervision. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice regarding laxative use.

Besides increasing fluids and fiber, some people find natural relief from prunes, prune juice, or flaxseed meal. However, herbal teas containing senna should be used cautiously as they are potent stimulant laxatives.