Co-danthrusate

Danthron is a mild peristaltic stimulant which acts on the lower bowel to encourage normal bowel movement without causing irritation. It belongs to the group of medicines under the term stimulant laxative.^[1] It stimulates the nerves in the stomach wall which causes the stomach muscles to contract. This medicine is used for analgesic-induced constipation. This softens the bowl movements to help with possible coronary thrombosis or heart failure. It takes six to twelve hours to work.^[2] This can cause discoloration of urine and bowl and liver tumors.^[3]

Co-danthrusate is a combination of danthron and docusate. Co-danthramer is danthron plus poloxamer. It is (in the U.K.) only to be prescribed to terminally ill patient due the carcinogen reactions in rats. They are often prescribed to people taking long term opioid. Because it relaxes the effect of opioid induced constipation. It will not alleviate the symptoms of opioid induced gastric emptying and abdominal cramps.^[4]

See also

• Laxative
• Opioid

References

1. ^ www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/30002782/
2. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20070820141126/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/healthfitness/health_advice/netdoctor/archive/100000561.html
3. ^ http://www.epgonline.org/viewdrug.cfm/letter/C/language/LG0001/drugId/DR000022/drugName/Co-danthrusate
4. ^ http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/ceweb/conditions/spc/2407/2407_I5.jsp