title: Efficacy and tolerability of Laxatan Granulat in patients with chronic constipation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  On average 12% of the population worldwide suffer from acute or chronic constipation. Pathological intestine alterations, an unhealthy diet with reduced liquid intake, and little exercise are potential reasons. Often the motility of the intestine is disturbed. Changing nutrition habits or lifestyle is not always successful. In such cases, laxatives containing macrogol and inulin are highly effective.
  
  
  METHODS
  The efficacy and tolerability of Laxatan(®) Granulat, a laxative containing macrogol, inulin, and mineral salts, was assessed in a drug-monitoring study of 105 patients for four weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of this study, a highly significant reduction of the constipation symptoms in 98.1% of the patients was observed. No adverse events were reported during this drug-monitoring study. The overall efficacy was rated as being "very good" or "good" for 96% and the overall tolerability was rated as being "very good" or "good" for 99% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of macrogol, inulin, and mineral salts is highly effective in the treatment of chronic constipation. Due to its prebiotic activity, inulin probably leads to proliferation of lactic acid-producing bacteria. The lowered pH and increased water content probably increases the peristaltic action and therefore reduces constipation.
authors.affiliation: Analyze and Realize AG, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gruenwald
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bentley