Patient was educated on the side effects of using osmotic laxatives as follows:
- Abdominal bloating
- Osmotic laxatives by increasing the fluid content in the stool can result in an unpleasant bloating sensation, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort.
- Dehydration
- Since these laxatives draw large amount of water in the stool, patients are at risk for dehydration.
- Noncompliance with rehydration can lead to episodes of hypotension, dizziness, dry mouth, and reduced urination.
- High magnesium levels
- Osmotic laxatives with magnesium can result in symptoms, such as, motor weakness, reduced respiratory rate, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- High sodium levels
- Osmotic laxatives with sodium can result in episodes of exacerbation of blood pressure, congestive heart failure, fluid retention with edema and weight gain, and exacerbation of shortness of breath.
- Diarrhea
- Osmotic laxatives also have the potential to increase the frequency of bowel movement, diarrhea and fecal incontinence, secondary to increased volume of loose stool.
- Excessive diarrhea can also lead to electrolyte imbalance.
