The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced new restrictions on the sale of stimulant laxatives. These products will now be sold in smaller packs, with on-pack warnings to reduce abuse and overuse of these products. Additional label warnings will make clear that stimulant laxatives do not help with weight loss. The advice related to all stimulant laxatives, including products containing bisacodyl (such as Dulcolax), senna (such as Senokot) or sodium picosulfate (such as Dulcolax Pico).
Commenting on the move, Rebecca Willgress, Beat Eating Disorders Charity Head of Communications, said: “We welcome the news that the sale of laxatives will be more tightly controlled, and will come with increased warnings against overuse."
“Laxatives can prove attractive for people affected by eating disorders, but also have the potential to cause serious health problems. Our own 2014 survey on sufferers who abused laxatives found that nearly all had bought laxatives over the counter, and 66.7% said they had developed a dependency on them."
“We hope that these new regulations will make it more difficult for people who are unwell to obtain laxatives, as well as help to educate the wider public on the dangers of abusing them."
The new guidelines have been introduced following a review into the safety of these medicines. The review, by the Commission on Human Medicines, was prompted by concerns regarding the overuse and misuse of stimulant laxatives by patients with eating disorders, overuse in the elderly and use in children without medical supervision.
The new guidelines restrict the use of stimulant laxatives sold in retail outlets to patients over the age of 18 years. Pharmacists will be able to sell stimulant laxatives for use in children aged 12 years and over.
This article originally appeared on Univadis, part of the Medscape Professional Network.
