From the Guidelines
Gastrointestinal (GI) cathartics are medications or agents used to evacuate the bowels, primarily for bowel preparation before procedures like CT colonography or colonoscopy, and can include polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution, oral sodium phosphate-based agents, and magnesium citrate. These agents are crucial for effective bowel cleansing and are selected based on patient factors and physician preferences 1. The choice of cathartic agent depends on various factors, including the patient's underlying conditions, potential contraindications for electrolyte shifts, fluid shifts, or phosphate ingestion.
Some of the commonly used GI cathartics include:
- Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution, a nonabsorbable, osmotically balanced preparation that is safe and results in little fluid shifting during administration
- Oral sodium phosphate-based agents, which are easier to ingest for many patients but can result in electrolyte shifts when doses exceeding 45 mL daily are employed
- Magnesium citrate, a milder saline cathartic preparation that performs similarly to polyethylene glycol for CT colonography when combined with fecal tagging agents 1.
It is essential to note that the selection of a cathartic agent should be based on individual patient needs and factors, and the use of these agents should be guided by evidence-based recommendations to ensure effective and safe bowel preparation 1. Additionally, the use of fecal and fluid tagging agents, such as barium suspension or iodinated oral contrast agents, can help improve the accuracy of diagnostic procedures like CT colonography by reducing false-positive examinations and permitting identification of submerged polyps 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Uses for relief of occasional constipation (irregularity). This product generally produces bowel movement in 12 to 72 hours. USE • relieves occasional constipation (irregularity) • generally produces a bowel movement in 1 to 3 days
Gastrointestinal (GI) cathartics are not directly defined in the provided drug labels. However, based on the information given, the drugs mentioned (psyllium and polyethylene glycol) are used for relief of occasional constipation and produce a bowel movement.
- The provided drug labels do not explicitly define GI cathartics, but they describe the use of certain products for constipation relief 2 3. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Definition of Gastrointestinal (GI) Cathartics
- Gastrointestinal (GI) cathartics are a type of laxative that stimulates bowel movements and helps relieve constipation 4.
- They work by increasing the amount of water in the intestines, softening stool, and stimulating the intestinal muscles to move stool through the digestive system.
Types of GI Cathartics
- Stimulant cathartics: These laxatives stimulate the intestinal muscles to move stool through the digestive system 4, 5.
- Saline laxatives: These laxatives work by drawing water into the intestines to soften stool 4.
- Hyperosmotic laxatives: These laxatives draw water into the intestines to soften stool and stimulate bowel movements 4, 6.
- Bulk-forming laxatives: These laxatives absorb water and expand, forming a bulky stool that is easy to pass 7, 4.