title: A comparative review of common laxatives in the treatment of constipation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Constipation is a common condition that affects people all over the world. A frequently sought out solution to this problem consists of laxatives, especially since these medications are easily accessible over-the-counter in most pharmacies. This has led laxative spending in North America alone to be approximately $500 million per year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Due to this large expenditure, a review of the available laxative data was completed and common laxative classes were evaluated and contrasted for the purposes of evaluating cost-effectiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the wide use of laxatives, very little research has been done to evaluate their efficacy. Even less has been done to analyze these medications from a cost standpoint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although laxatives are very commonly prescribed and used over-the-counter, more research attention should be granted on determining the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of laxative use.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics (CSTAR), Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry-Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fiorini
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry-Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics (CSTAR), Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry-Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schlachta
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry-Western University, London, ON, Canada - nalkham2@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Nawar A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Alkhamesi
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives