A chronic watery diarrhea caused by intentional or unintentional misuse of laxatives due to self-medication or provider error
System(s) affected: gastrointestinal, nervous, psychiatri...
Suspect in patients with undiagnosed, refractory chronic diarrhea.
Assess over-the-counter medication use, and take thorough dietary history (2).
Signs and symptoms: increasing frequenc...
Behavioral support is essential in intentional use.
Wean patient off laxatives and supplements; substitute high-fiber diet and bulk preparations or short-term saline enemas.
Tr...
Ongoing behavioral counseling
Careful medical support; frequent visits as needed
Assess serum electrolytes.
Inc...
Abraham BP, Sellin JH. Drug-induced, factitious, & idiopathic diarrhoea. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2012;26(5):633–648.
Fine KD, Santa Ana CA, Fordtran JS. Diagnosi...
305.90 Other, mixed, or unspecified drug abuse, unspecified use
280982009 Abuse of laxatives (disorder)
27051000119102 Chronic abuse of laxatives (disorder)
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Laxative abuse may be intentional or unintentional.
When associated with eating disorders, laxative abuse is associated with more severe disease.
Consider laxative abuse in patients with...
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