Constipation is a common digestive symptom characterized by difficulties in defecation and/or infrequent bowel movements. Difficulties in defecation include laborious defecation, difficulty passing out, feeling of anorectal blockage, feeling of incomplete defecation, time-consuming defecation. Infrequent bowel movements refer to <3 bowel movements per week. The course of chronic constipation should be ≥ 6 months. The quality of life of patients with chronic constipation is reduced, causing significant economic and social burdens.

Drugs are commonly used in the treatment of chronic constipation, and rational use of drugs is the most important thing in the treatment of chronic constipation. Drugs for the treatment of chronic constipation include volumetric laxatives, osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, secretagogues, prokinetic agents, and prokinetic agents. Among the many laxatives, stimulant laxatives such as sorbitol are safe and effective for functional constipation of many causes.

Sorbitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in many fruits except white grapes, such as various berries, cherries, plums, pears, apples, etc.

Today, as an osmotic laxative, sorbitol is widely used in the treatment of functional constipation. Why can sorbitol treat constipation? Who is it suitable for? Who is it not suitable for? Can special populations take it? How to take it? What are the adverse reactions? What are the precautions when taking it? Please read on:

Why can sorbitol treat constipation?

Sorbitol is an osmotic laxative, which is an isomer of mannitol. Its effect is similar to that of mannitol but weaker. When sorbitol is taken orally into the duodenum, it stimulates the cells in the mucosa to release cholecystokinin, which can promote the strong contraction of the gallbladder and relaxation of sphincter of Oddi. So that can increase bile secretion, promote digestion, accelerate gastrointestinal peristalsis and emptying, and can promote small intestinal absorption and dredge the intestinal tract.

At the same time, sorbitol is hardly absorbed in the intestinal tract after oral administration, resulting in an increase in the osmotic pressure of the crystals in the digestive tract, hindering the absorption of water and absorbing the water in the tissue fluid into the intestinal cavity, forming a hyperosmotic effect in the intestinal tract and increasing the volume of intestinal content, which has the function of promoting intestinal peristalsis and accelerating defecation.

The curative effect of using sorbitol in intestinal preparation before colonoscopy in patients with functional constipation is significantly better than that of mannitol and senna. The method is simple, economical, safe, well tolerated by patients, and more acceptable. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Who is it suitable for?

1. People with functional constipation;

2. Bowel preparation before colonoscopy in patients with functional constipation;

3. People with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome;

4. People with indigestion.

Who is it not suitable for?

Organic constipation (such as intestinal obstruction, intestinal tumors, etc.) and those who are allergic to sorbitol.

Can special populations take it?

It should be noted that excessive application of sorbitol can cause electrolyte disturbance. For special populations, such as pregnant women, children, people with renal insufficiency and cardiopulmonary insufficiency, and diabetic patients, should pay more attention when using it.

How to take it?

For constipation, once a night, 6g (1 bag) each time, take with boiled water before going to bed.

For bowel preparation before colonoscopy in patients with functional constipation, dissolve 60g of sorbitol into 300ml of warm water 4 to 5 hours before the test, drink it up within 15 minutes, then drink 2000ml of warm water, drink it up within 30 minutes.

For indigestion, 2-4g (1/3-2/3 bag) each time, 3 times a day, orally.

What are the adverse reactions?

The common adverse reactions are nausea, and the rare adverse reactions are cramping pain, diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbance. Long-term use can cause loss of the defecation reflex.

What are the precautions when taking sorbitol?

The tolerable amount of sorbitol varies with the individual's constitution. It is not advisable to take too much at the beginning of use. The dosage can be flexibly adjusted according to the frequency of defecation. Remember to drink plenty of water after taking the medicine.

It can only be used for short-term use, and the use time should not exceed 1 week. Long-term use is easy to form dependence. If rectal bleeding or constipation is not relieved, the drug should be stopped.

Due to osmosis, adverse reactions such as diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbance may occur. For the above situation, it is recommended to drink more drinks containing electrolytes (such as sports energy drinks), which will help to replenish the lost potassium and sodium ions.