fecal softener
drug
Quick Summary
Fecal softeners are a type of laxative used to treat constipation by promoting the evacuation of feces. Unlike other laxatives, fecal softeners are not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. They work by increasing the bulk of the feces, often by increasing water penetration into the stool. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a common example, acting as an osmotic laxative that draws water into the stool, making it easier to pass. Other fecal softeners may have a detergent action to aid water penetration.12
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