Health Encyclopedia

Laxative overdose

Definition

A laxative is a medication used to produce bowel movements. Laxative overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

Most laxative overdoses in children are accidental. However, some people abuse laxatives by regularly taking overdoses in an effort to lose weight.

Alternative Names

Laxative abuse

Poisonous Ingredient

Bisacodyl
Carboxymethylcellulose
Cascara sagrada
Casanthranol
Castor oil
Dehydrocholic acid
Docusate
Glycerin
Lactulose
Magnesium citrate
Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium sulfate
Malt soup extract
Methylcellulose
Milk of magnesia
Mineral oil
Phenolphthalein
Poloxamer 188
Polycarbophil
Potassium bitartrate and sodium bicarbonate
Psyllium
Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid
Senna
Sennosides
Sodium phosphate

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Where Found

Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
Cascara sagrada
Castor oil
Docusate (Colace)
Docusate and phenolphthalein (Correctol)
Glycerin suppositories
Lactulose (Duphalac)
Magnesium citrate
Malt soup extract (Maltsupex)
Methylcellulose
Milk of magnesia
Mineral oil
Phenolphthalein (Ex Lax)
Psyllium
Senna

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, are most common. Dehydration and electrolyte problems are more common in children than adults. Below are symptoms specific to the actual product.

Bisacodyl:

Cramps
Diarrhea

Senna; Cascara sagrada:

Abdominal pain
Bloody stools
Collapse
Diarrhea

Phenolphthalein:

Abdominal pain
Collapse
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Drop in blood pressure
Low blood sugar
Rash

Sodium phosphate:

Abdominal pain
Collapse
Diarrhea
Muscle weakness
Vomiting

Magnesium-containing products:

Abdominal pain
Collapse
Coma
Death
Diarrhea (watery)
Drop in blood pressure
Flushing
Gastrointestinal irritation
Muscle weakness
Painful bowel movements
Painful urination
Slowed breathing
Thirst
Vomiting

Castor oil can cause gastrointestinal irritation.

Mineral oil can cause aspiration pneumonia, a condition where vomited stomach contents are inhaled.

Products containing methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polycarbophil, or psyllium may cause choking or intestinal blockage if they are not taken with plenty of fluids.

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
When it was swallowed
The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, heart function, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Blood tests to determine electrolyte levels
Fluids and electrolytes through an IV

Expectations (prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the type of laxative swallowed, how much was swallowed, and how much time passed before treatment was received.

Serious symptoms are most likely in patients who abuse laxatives by taking large amounts to lose weight. First time laxative overdoses are rarely serious.

References

Ford MD, et al. Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2001:332-333.

Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2002:149.

Review Date:10/29/2007
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.