What medicines cause constipation?
Many different medicines can decrease bowel motility and lead to constipation. While certain classes of drugs that are known to cause constipation are listed below, every prescribed and over-the-counter medication you are taking should be looked up to see if it is associated with causing constipation. • Antacids such as aluminum hydroxide • Calcium Carbonate • Anticholinergics (Ditropan ®, Detrol ®) • Antidiarrheals • Antiparkinson’s • Antidepressants (especially tricyclics and lithium) • Antihypertensives/Antiarrhythmics (calcium channel blockers especially verapamil) • Metals such as bismuth and iron • Opioid (narcotic) pain medicines • Laxatives (used chronically) • NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) • Sympathomimetics such as pseudoephedrine in decongestant medications If your doctor is unable to substitute a non constipating medication for the above medications you are taking, you will need to make an extra effort with dietary and lifestyle changes. Are there dietary changes that will g
