Rating of the best laxatives for children in 2024

Laxatives are irreplaceable helpers in the treatment of constipation, elimination of toxins, and bowel cleansing before surgery. On the market, these drugs are presented in a large assortment, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as a list of contraindications. In order to choose the right laxative for a child, you can use this rating, which was based on patient feedback and the opinions of qualified specialists.

Indications for the use of laxative medicines

The most common problem in children of all ages is stool disorder, and most often they are faced with constipation that must be treated. However, it should be borne in mind that the absence of a chair for up to 3 days in babies from birth to one year may be the norm. In this case, measures should be taken only when the child does not sleep well, refuses to eat, and is capricious.

Older children may experience constipation when eating disorders. In this case, laxative medicines will also help. However, almost all medications have a list of contraindications, therefore, before using this or that drug, it is recommended to consult with a specialist, because the stool can be disturbed due to a disease or pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

You can cleanse the intestines both with folk remedies and with medication. And those, and others have been developed. However, when choosing a laxative, it is necessary to rely on the indications, and take into account side effects, as well as contraindications.

Laxative medicines are indicated in the following cases:

• constipation;
• the presence of helminths;
• poisoning;
• fecal stones and toxins;
• before surgery.

Most often, intestinal slagging is observed in people who prefer a sedentary lifestyle and adhere to an unbalanced diet or diet.

Constipation in children: causes

Stool disorder in children can occur for various reasons. Therefore, before resorting to the use of medicines, it is necessary to find out the nature of the origin of constipation. In many cases, stool disturbances can be managed without laxatives. Children over 7 years old may suffer from constipation due to malnutrition, or rather excessive consumption of sweets, flour products and fried foods.

Children under 7 years old may experience constipation due to the rare use of fiber and coarse fibers. Most often this occurs in those families where parents have not taught their children to eat a lot of vegetables from childhood.To meet the physiological needs of the child's body in the diet, they should be enough.

Also, excessive consumption of foods with synthetic additives can affect stool retention. These are various chips, kirieshki, sweet carbonated water, mayonnaise, ketchup and others. These products contain a large amount of colorants, flavors, stabilizers and flavor enhancers. Do not pamper children with excessive use of such products. Their share in the children's menu should not exceed 7-9%.

Also, constipation can be caused by:

1. Emotional shock, stress. Most often they arise as a result of parental divorce, moving to another area, bullying at school, dissatisfaction with their appearance or marks.
2. Physical inactivity. Due to the limitation of physical activity, children begin to develop serious disorders of body functions. First of all, the musculoskeletal system, blood circulation, respiration and digestion suffer.
3. Taking some medications.
4. Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and poor muscle tone, all of which contribute to constipation.
5. Restraining the urge to defecate. Many children are embarrassed to go to the toilet at school or kindergarten, putting aside stools for later, as a result of which constipation occurs.
6. Spine injury. The most common cause of constipation is damage to the lumbosacral region.
7. Diseases of the pelvic organs or anorectal zone.

Constipation in babies can occur as a result of improper introduction of complementary foods, unbalanced nutrition of a nursing mother, the use of an unsuitable milk formula, and non-compliance with the complementary feeding regime. Physiological constipation in infants up to six months is considered the norm, since their digestive system until this time is at the stage of formation.

Important! Most often, children have bowel movements 1-2 times a day. This is the norm. However, the absence of stool in rare cases within 2 days is not considered a pathology requiring drug treatment. If constipation constantly occurs, then parents are advised to consult a specialist in order to correctly diagnose, and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. Children who eat breast milk may have bowel movements up to 10 times a day.

Choosing a laxative

Colon cleansing can be done in various ways. One of the fastest and most effective is the use of an enema. However, it should be borne in mind that this method of cleansing affects only the lower part of the colon. Laxatives also affect the entire intestine, including the small one. In addition, taking a laxative drug is much easier than making an enema, because in any case, it is necessary to calculate the dosage.

Laxative drugs can belong to different pharmacological groups. You need to pay attention to this. Children's medication should have a mild effect so that the intestines are not injured or irritated. In addition, the product should not be addictive or contain substances that are dangerous to life and health.

Experienced experts recommend that parents, with the manifestation of primary constipation in children, use traditional methods of stool restoration, as well as change the diet. This is often enough to relieve constipation. In the event that stool recovery has not occurred, the use of mild laxatives is allowed. For children, syrups, suppositories, tablets, enemas or microclysters can be used.

Laxative drugs for children: an overview of the different forms

The choice of a children's laxative must be approached very responsibly. You need to have a real picture of your health before your eyes and be confident that there are no contraindications. Before purchasing, it is imperative to clarify whether the drug is suitable for age indications. To facilitate parental orientation in the correct drug group, a detailed overview of the laxatives permitted for children is provided.

Suppositories

Bisacodyl

Approved for use by children from 6 years of age. It is considered one of the safest and most inexpensive drugs with a laxative effect, contains 5 mg of the active substance. With the help of an active substance, contractions are stimulated in the intestines, which propel the fecal lumps through the rectum to the anus. Bisacodyl is available in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.

Important information! It is not recommended to use it for a long time, since it promotes the elimination of fluid and essential minerals. Long-term use of Bisacodyl by children with heart disease can have dangerous consequences, since together with feces, vital substances - magnesium and potassium - are actively excreted from the intestines.

• safety;
• rectal suppositories;
• cheapness.

• there are contraindications.

Dulcolax

An analogue of Bisacodyl, but has a higher price and a wider range of indications and contraindications. It begins to act in 6-10 hours. When Dulcolax is taken before bedtime, you need to wait for a bowel movement in the morning, 8-10 hours after getting out of bed.

Dulcolax, like Bisacodyl, is prescribed for children from 6 to 12 years old at a dosage of 5 mg. Teenagers from 12 years old are allowed to increase the daily rate to 2 tablets. When Dulcolax is prescribed in the form of rectal suppositories, the dosage is usually as follows: for children over 10 years old - one suppository 1-2 times a day. Children from 6 to 10 years old are prescribed half the dose. The duration of treatment should not exceed one week.

• intestinal motility is stimulated.

• not found.

Important information! Only the attending physician can determine whether it is possible to use Dulcolax for the treatment of very young children from 1 to 6 years old, and for them it can be used exclusively in the form of rectal suppositories.

In tablets and capsules

Bisacodyl

The daily dose is 5 mg for adolescents and children from 6 years of age. The medicine must be taken at night with plenty of water. When Bisacodyl is prescribed before surgery or bowel endoscopy, the dosage can be increased to 10 mg (2 tablets).

Bisacodyl, as well as its analogs, are contraindicated in the following cases:

• gastric and intestinal diseases in the acute stage;
• stomach and intestinal bleeding;
• polyps in the intestine;
• obstruction in the intestines.

• the contractions of the intestinal walls increase;
• bloating and gas formation is reduced;
• cheapness.

• there are contraindications.

Laxatin

The active substance is very mild and quickly enough stimulates motility in the large intestine and effectively removes old constipation in 1-2 doses. Laxatin is usually taken once a day, the dose is set based on the patient's age:

1. For children under 12 years old, the daily dose is 1 capsule.
2. Teenagers 12+ can easily take 2 or 3 capsules.
3. Laxatin is contraindicated if there is a high risk of hemorrhage or bleeding, with internal bleeding of various origins, diseases of the stomach or intestines in the acute stage.

Contraindications include:

1. Inflammatory diseases of the bladder.
2. Exacerbation of pancreatitis.
3. Spasmodic constipation.
4. Inflammation of hemorrhoidal veins in the acute stage.

For adolescent girls at the beginning of puberty, the use of Laxatin is prohibited for menstrual bleeding.

Important information! Laxatin has a sufficient number of serious side effects, so long-term use is not recommended. In case of non-compliance with the instructions, the most serious consequences can be arterial hypertension, convulsions, myasthenia gravis. Drinking the drug is allowed only with water or juice. It is strictly forbidden to drink Laxatin with milk and use milk-containing drinks during the course of treatment.

• gentle and fast bowel stimulation;
• effectively removes old constipation.

• many contraindications and side effects;
• do not take during menstruation in adolescent girls.

Powders

Forlax

It enjoys well-deserved popularity and is considered one of the best in terms of effectiveness, quickly eliminating constipation in children, starting from six months of age. Children from six months to 8 years old are assigned a special baby powder, which tastes like an orange, for preparing a drink. For children from 8 years old, the usual Forlax is prescribed.

The action of the drug is aimed at eliminating the difficulties that arise during bowel movements. Available in powder form for mixing with water. The package contains 10-20 powders. After dissolving the powder, the water turns white, with a sweet taste. It contains saccharin, propylene glycol, sulfur dioxide, linalool, etc. When it enters the stomach, Forlax instantly splits fecal lumps and painlessly removes them in the form of loose stools. Reception is appointed individually. If constipation is mild, then a one-time dose is sufficient.

The dose is calculated according to the patient's age. Usually it is 1-2 sachets per day. Infants under the age of one year are prescribed half a sachet per day. It is advisable to take Forlax once in the morning. With chronic constipation, long-term treatment with Forlax is possible - 2-3 months. After eliminating the symptoms of constipation, it is necessary to correct the regimen of physical activity and nutrition.

Important information! In the case of abdominal pain of unexplained origin, Forlax is categorically contraindicated. It is necessary to seek the advice of your doctor.

• dosage in sachets by serving size;
• pleasant sweet taste;
• quick and gentle action without pain;
• high efficiency.

• many children refuse to accept.

Tranzipeg

Tranzipeg is a baby laxative produced in powder form for solution preparation. The basis of the drug is macrogol. Used to treat constipation in children over 1 year of age. Choosing Tranzipeg, you don't have to force your baby to drink medicine. It tastes good for kids.

The main advantage of the drug is that it is excreted from the body in its pure form. Once in the intestine, the active substance retains water in it, which helps to soften the feces. In addition, this drug is not capable of irritating the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. It solves the problem mildly, and rather quickly - the effect appears 1-2 days after the start of application.

Important! During treatment, special attention should be paid to the condition of the baby. If, after taking it, rashes appear on the baby's skin, you should stop using it, give the child any antihistamine, sorbent, and seek the advice of your doctor.

The reviews suggest that the medicine does its job perfectly, does not cause any discomfort, including pain, and is easily tolerated by children who have reached the age of three.

• excreted from the child's body in pure form;
• solves the problem gently, and rather quickly.

• not found.

Fibralax

Fibralax is not a medication. It belongs to the category of biological additives. However, practice has shown that Fibralax is quite effective. He is able to quickly eliminate the problem of constipation in both adults and children. The basis of this dietary supplement is the shell of plantain seeds, which contains a large amount of coarse fiber, and is able to remove from the human body toxins and toxins accumulated in it.

It is produced in the form of a powder, from which a solution should be prepared later. It is not habit-forming and can be used for a long time. Please note that the drug should not be taken before or immediately after a meal.

• quite effective;
• natural preparation.

• not found.

Syrups

Most of the medications that belong to this group are made on the basis of herbal products. Moreover, many of them belong to the group of dietary supplements. Despite this, their use will help to quickly get rid of such a problem as constipation, regardless of who has it - a baby or an adult.

Helping

This syrup is made on the basis of herbal raw materials and can be used to treat constipation in children who have reached the age of three. In addition to normalizing the intestines, the remedy is able to saturate the child's body with vitamins, which can strengthen the body and regulate the processes taking place in the organs of the digestive system.

Not able to instantly solve the problem of constipation. It has a cumulative effect and is taken for 30 days. Pay attention to the need to observe strict dosages. "Pomogusha" is used 3 times a day, 5 ml.

• minimum number of contraindications
• efficiency
• elimination of pain syndrome.

• not found.

Duphalac

It is produced in the form of a syrup, which is very convenient, because you do not have to dilute it. It is taken orally, acts quite quickly, does not cause pain, including colic in young children. The effect appears immediately after administration. Created on the basis of water and lactulose, it is produced in containers with a volume of 200, 500 and 1000 ml. Duphalac can be used for a long time. However, it is not recommended to prolong the course of treatment and increase the dosage on your own. This decision can only be made by the attending physician. Subject to the recommended treatment regimen, side effects are not observed.

Reviews have shown that children tolerate Duphalac's reception quite well. During its use, children do not experience pain or other undesirable manifestations.

• syrup has a sweet taste and is liked by children;
• the effect occurs once after taking it;
• does not cause pain and swelling;
• easily tolerated by young children.

• not detected.

Microclysters

Babies suffer from constipation more often than others, because the digestive system is still at the stage of formation, and the intestines are not populated with a sufficient number of beneficial microorganisms. If we are talking about the treatment of constipation in children of the first year of life, then the composition becomes the most important criterion when choosing. The drug must be completely natural, and the substances of which it is composed must not enter the systemic circulation.

Microlax

One of the best remedies for the treatment of constipation in children under one year old is Mikrolax micro enema. It is considered the safest, has no contraindications and solves the problem in 15-30 minutes. It's pretty simple to use. It is necessary to break the seal of the tube, insert the tip into the anus and squeeze out the contents of the bottle. After that, you need to turn the baby over on his stomach and wait for the drug to take effect.

Despite the absence of contraindications and complete safety, it is not recommended to use the medicine too often. This can lead to the development of lazy bowel syndrome, which can be a big problem.

• fast effect;
• soft impact;
• no contraindications and side effects.

• not detected.

Drops

Picodinar

Children who have reached the age of four and adults are advised to start taking the drug at the lowest dose. If the purpose of using the drug is to achieve regular bowel movements, an increase in the daily dose is allowed. The main thing is that it does not exceed the maximum recommended dosage of the drug. The effect of taking Pikodinar comes pretty quickly. If you take the drug at night, you will get a laxative effect in the morning.

The drug is not recommended to be taken for more than 10 days. Only the attending physician can extend the course of treatment.Failure to comply with recommendations and self-addiction of dosages can lead to a violation of the water-electrolyte balance, addiction and hypokalemia.

It is noted that with short-term use of this drug, side effects are extremely rare.

• fast effect;
• soft impact.

• not detected.

conclusions

Constipation is a problem that cannot be called a dangerous pathology. However, in case of untimely elimination, it can cause the development of negative consequences. If your baby sits on the potty for too long and pushes, making a lot of effort, then this indicates that he needs medication. All that is required of you is to choose the appropriate drug from those offered by modern medicine and use it according to the instructions.