Effect of an oral bulking agent and a rectal laxative administered alone or in combination for the treatment of constipation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to search for a synergetic action between psyllium and a defecation-inducing drug, Eductyl, for symptom relief in patients suffering from chronic constipation.


METHODS
Twenty healthy volunteers and 20 patients complaining of chronic constipation were included in a randomized crossover study. The study was divided into four 2-weeks periods: pre-inclusion and three periods of treatment with psyllium, Eductyl, and Eductyl + psyllium respectively. Colonic transit time was determined at the end of each period of treatment. During each of the four periods, a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess symptoms of constipation.


RESULTS
For constipated patients, treatment with Eductyl and Eductyl-psyllium improved clinical symptoms of constipation: increased stool frequency, resulted in fewer hard stools and less sensation of incomplete evacuation and less straining to defecate. The improvement was associated with a decrease in total and segmental colonic transit time. The Eductyl-psyllium combination did not exhibit any synergetic effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with Eductyl alone is more efficient than with psyllium alone in providing symptom relief. Combination with psyllium is not synergetic.
Bouchoucha
Michel
M
Hôpital Broussais, Laboratoire de physiologie digestive, 96, rue Didot 75014 Paris. michel.bouchoucha@brs.ap-hop-paris.fr
Faye
Alain
A
Savarieau
Bernard
B
Arsac
Michel
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011620:Psyllium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013644:Tartrates / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002400:Cathartics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013644:Tartrates; D011620:Psyllium; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; C029768:tartaric acid