| Class | Osmotic laxative |
|---|---|
| Chemistry |
Sugar alcohol |
| Routes of administration |
Oral, rectal (as enema) |
| Absorption |
Non-absorbable |
| Solubility |
pKa 13.6; highly water-soluble |
| Distribution |
Not absorbed; remains in the bowel |
| Metabolism |
Fermented by bacteria in the colon |
| Elimination |
Eliminated in the stool, as metabolic byproducts, gas, and unchanged drug |
| Time course of action |
Eliminated over 2-3 hours; onset of action for the 70% concentrate enema is with 15-60 minutes |
| Target receptor |
Does not bind to any receptors |
| Mechanism of action |
By increasing the osmolality of stool, increases the water content of stool (i.e. prevents the reabsorption of water in the bowel) |
| Clinical effects |
Abdominal distension, flatulence, water loss though diarrhoea, electrolyte derangement, volume depletion, malabsorption of nutrients |
| Literature reference |
Peters, 1958 |
| CICM details of understanding | Not specifically listed in the CICM syllabus |
| Mentioned around Deranged Physiology | |
| Related SAQs |