[Pharmacological treatment of constipation].

Chronic constipation is a frequent condition often requiring pharmacological treatment. A number of laxatives that belong to very different pharmacological groups are available. Most relevant are the older representatives osmotic salts, sugars and sugar alcohols, macrogol, anthraquinones, diphenolic laxatives (bisacodyl and sodium picosulphate), and the newer compounds prucalopride and linaclotide. For all of these laxatives, efficacy has been shown in controlled trials. Electrolyte problems do not occur when laxatives are given in therapeutic doses (rare exceptions with salinic laxatives). The older laxatives are also safe regarding teratogenicity, abortion, and lactation; for the newer compounds no respective data are available as yet. It is questionable whether the newer laxatives offer advantages over the older ones. Unfortunately, comparative trials are lacking. Opiate-induced constipation may also be treated with laxatives or certain opiate antagonists.