Patient was educated on contraindication for using lubricant laxatives as follows:
- Individuals with swallowing difficulty can aspirate while swallowing this medication. Exercise extreme caution while lubricant laxatives are being swallowed.
- Lubricant laxatives should be avoided in individuals taking blood thinners, such as Warfarin and Plavix. These laxatives have the tendency to decrease the absorption of vitamin K in the intestines. This can increase the risk for extra thinning of the blood, contributing to episodes of bleeding.
- Individuals with poor muscle control on swallowing, such as, senior citizens, stroke victims, and individuals who underwent any surgeries of the brain and neck, are prone to aspirate with lubricant laxatives, especially in lying down positions. Choose other alternatives among laxatives in such risk groups to prevent risk for aspiration pneumonia.
- Do not use other laxatives along with lubricant laxatives, especially emollient laxatives like Colace and Docusate, as this can result in increased absorption of the lubricant laxatives into the body that get deposited in various vital organs, contributing to their inflammation.
- Discontinue using the lubricant laxative and consult your doctor, if any sudden change in the bowel activity is noted, such as, diarrhea or diminished laxative effect with constipation. Do not increase the dose without doctor recommendation to obtain the desired effect.
