What happens if you take a lot of stool softener?

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of a laxative overdose. Dehydration and electrolyte (body chemicals and minerals) imbalance are more common in children than adults.

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How many stool softeners is too many?

Can you take stool softeners every day? No, and you shouldn't need to take stool softeners every day. Don't take stool softeners for more than one week unless you're under the direction of your healthcare provider. If you have sudden changes in your bowel habits that last longer than two weeks, call your provider.

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Can I take 3 stool softeners at once?

take with a glass of water - adults and children 12 years of age and over take 1 to 3 softgels daily. This dose may be taken as a single daily dose or in divided doses.

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What happens if you take too much coloxyl?

Prolonged use or overdose may result in: Diarrhea. Water and salt imbalance, especially potassium loss.

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Do stool softeners work if you are already constipated?

Stool softeners like docusate (Colace) work by reducing the hardness of stools, which should make them easier to pass. Problem is, they won't do much if you're already constipated, since they take three of four days to kick in, he adds. But they can help treat chronic constipation.

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How Long Can You Use Stool Softeners?

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Can I take 2 stool softeners at once?

Take stool softeners exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the docusate capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Take capsules and tablets with a full glass of water.

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Can you soften stool that is already hard?

A warm mineral oil enema is often used to soften and lubricate the stool. However, enemas alone are not enough to remove a large, hardened impaction in most cases. The mass may have to be broken up by hand.

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What happens if you take too much Movicol?

If you take more Movicol than you should: You may develop excessive diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. If this occurs, stop taking Movicol and drink plenty of fluids. If you are worried contact your doctor or pharmacist.

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Can I take 4 Coloxyl?

How to use this product: Adults and children over 12 years of age. Take one or two tablets at night. Increase up to 4 tablets if necessary.

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What damage can taking too many laxatives do?

The overuse of laxatives can lead to electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Laxative abuse can also cause long-term and potentially permanent damage to the digestive system, including chronic constipation and damage to the nerves and muscles of the colon.

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Should I keep eating if constipated?

Eating When you Have Constipation. Try these things to relieve your constipation: Do not skip meals. Avoid processed or fast foods, such as white breads, pastries, doughnuts, sausage, fast-food burgers, potato chips, and French fries.

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Are stool softeners bad to take daily?

While they only are intended for short-term relief of constipation, using a daily stool softener long-term probably is not harmful.

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Is it OK to take 4 laxatives?

Taking too many laxatives overtime may weaken the bowel muscles, further leading to constipation. Contact a doctor after taking laxatives if you experience symptoms including dry mouth, thirst, reduced urine output and lightheadedness, especially with changes in position, after taking these laxatives.

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Can you take 3 Movicol at once?

The recommended dose of Movicol is 1 sachet a day. This can be increased to 2 or 3 sachets daily if necessary.

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Is Movicol a stool softener?

MOVICOL® has a natural mode of action that works gently, in harmony with your body. acts locally in the colon to relieve constipation: The water retained by MOVICOL® softens the stool and bulks it up slightly. As the stool gently expands, it naturally triggers colonic activity and a bowel movement.

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What happens if you don't drink enough water on Movicol?

Movicol powder

If your child does not drink enough water with it, the medicine will not work properly and your child may become dehydrated. Open the sachet and pour the contents into the water. Stir well until all the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear or slightly hazy.

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Can I take 2 sachets of Movicol a day?

DOSAGE. For adults and children over 12 years of age. Constipation: The recommended dose is one sachet daily. This can be increased to 2 or 3 sachets daily if necessary.

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Should I drink lots of water with Movicol?

It is recommended that you drink a glass of water or other fluid after you take Movicol Ready To Take. When taking Movicol Ready To Take you should continue to take plenty of fluids. The fluid content of Movicol should not replace your regular liquid intake. Constipation: The recommended dose is one sachet daily.

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What to do when stool is stuck?

Treatment for fecal impaction
  1. Manual disimpaction. If the stool is in your rectum (the part of your large intestine right inside the anus), your doctor will try to take it out manually. ...
  2. Enema and laxatives. The next step may be to evacuate the stool with a combination of enemas and oral laxatives. ...
  3. Colonoscopy. ...
  4. Surgery.

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What does impacted stool feel like?

Fecal impaction causes discomfort in your body due to gastrointestinal pressure from waste buildup. Discomfort from the pressure includes: Pain in your abdomen and/or lower back. Feeling like your abdomen is swollen (bloated).

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Can I take Movicol and Coloxyl together?

Stimulant laxatives such as senna or bisacodyl and osmotic laxatives such as macrogol (Movicol) are most effective. Combined stimulant laxative with a stool softener (Coloxyl with Senna, Sennesoft) can be used.

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What's the difference between a stool softener and a laxative?

A laxative defines any medicine that facilitates a bowel movement which includes a broad range designed to treat varying levels of severity. A stool softener is a mild (OTC) over-the-counter laxative used to soften the stool for easier passage and less strain.

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Is it OK to take a laxative and stool softener at the same time?

In some situations, your healthcare provider may recommend combining a stool softener and laxative. There's an OTC product that combines a stool softener (docusate) and a stimulant laxative (senna). It's available under the brand names Senna-S, Dok Plus, or Senexon-S. It generally works within 6 to 12 hours.

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