title: A comparison of Agiolax and lactulose in elderly patients with chronic constipation.
abstract: In a double-blind crossover study the efficacies of Agiolax, a combination of fibre and senna pod, and lactulose were compared in 77 long-stay elderly patients with chronic constipation. Mean daily bowel frequency, stool consistency and ease of evacuation were significantly greater with Agiolax than lactulose. The recommended dose was exceeded more frequently with lactulose than Agiolax (chi 2 = 8.38, p < 0.01). Adverse effects were not different for the 2 treatments. In long-stay elderly patients with chronic constipation Agiolax and lactulose were well tolerated, but Agiolax proved a more effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Queen's University of Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Passmore
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stoker
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D007792:Lactulose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010943:Plantago; D012676:Senna Extract / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007792:Lactulose; C024255:ispaghula, senna drug combination; D012676:Senna Extract