US EPA

8292139 

Journal Article 

Nutritional problems related to stimulant laxative abuse 

Tolstoi, LG 

1988 

No 

Hospital Pharmacy
ISSN: 0018-5787 

23 

6 

564-573 

English 

Laxatives, a category of over-the-counter drugs, are abused by all age groups for different reasons. Stimulant laxatives include castor oil, anthraquinones (anthracenes), and diphenylmethane derivatives. The three groups of stimulant laxatives differ in their chemical structure and pharmacological activity. Chronic use of stimulant laxatives can lead to serious metabolic consequences which include fluid and electrolyte disturbances, delayed growth, steatorrhea, protein-losing gastroenteropathy, osteomalacia and arthropathy, finger clubbing, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Laxative abuse syndrome (LAS), a type of Munchausen Syndrome, is difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis of LAS requires proof of laxative abuse and ruling out the possibility of spontaneous organic disease. Abuse of stimulant laxatives can be detected by means of toxicological screening of the subject's urine. In summary, laxatives are not innocuous over the-counter-drugs. Thus, the public should seek professional advice from their pharmacist prior to indiscriminately purchasing stimulant laxatives.