Polypharmacy Guidance: appropriate prescribing, making medicines safe, effective and sustainable 2025 - 2028

Constipation is typically defined as bowel motions less than three times a week. Constipation is a common symptom and can be short term or chronic, if lasting three months or more.

• Provide information on first line evidence based dietary advice
• Many medicines are implicated in inducing constipation, including those with high anticholinergic burden. Such medication should be reviewed and stopped or reduced where appropriate.
• People prescribed multiple laxatives should be reviewed
• Education is key in helping individuals understand why multiple laxatives are not recommended long-term
• Consider step-wise approach to reducing/stopping laxatives