Patient was educated on how to take osmotic laxatives as follows:
- Take the medication with a full 8 oz. glass of water, as these laxatives are at high risk for inducing fluid volume depletion with symptoms of dehydration.
- Take it at the same time every day, to avoid forgetting the medication.
- Maintain strict compliance with intake of the medication as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication.
- Do not overdose on the osmotic laxatives, to increase the ease of having a bowel movement.
- Do not change the dose on this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Watch out for any signs and symptoms of worsening of constipation, any intense acute abdominal pain, and any rectal bleed to report to your doctor immediately, so that, a change in plan could be considered.
- Osmotic laxatives take about 2 to 3 hours to bring on a bowel movement. They can be taken early morning on empty stomach with 8 oz. of water.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose.
