Abstract

LAXATIVE DRUGS – A LITERARY REVIEW

Pranati Charandas Kohale* and Varsha Tangade

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Abstract

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder among all age group. It can be acute or chronic; mild or severe. Many factors seem to play roles in the cause of constipation. It can be caused by surgical conditions such as colorectal tumour, anal fissure, stricture, medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypercalcemia etc. Healthy lifestyle, consumption of high fiber diet, maintaining adequate hydration and regular bowel habits, careful use of laxatives, and control of medications minimize the problems of constipation. Drugs which are used to promote defecation are called as laxative. Laxatives are classified into six major categories according to modern science. 1. Stimulant laxative 2. Osmotic laxative. 3. Bulk laxative. 4. Emollient laxative. 5. Chloride channel activator. 6. Prokinetic agents. According to ayurved laxative means virechandravya. Virechan can be defined as excretion of fecal matter through anus. It is one of the best treatment used in pittaj vyadhi, and also used in management of constipation, bowel regulation. In ayurved Acharya sharangadhar has explained four types of virechandravya 1.rechandravya 2. Bhedandravya 3. Stramsandravya. 4. Anulomandravya. Virechandravyas are also explained by Acharya charak and Acharya shushrut.

Keywords: Constipation, Virechan, Laxative.