Services
Mercy Cancer Center
Constipation
What causes it?
Constipation may be caused by:
- Some chemotherapy drugs such as Vincristine or Velban.
- Pain medicines, such as Codeine, Morphine, Tylenol #3, Tylox, Percocet, MS Contin, Roxanol, Duragesic patches, Darvocet, Dilaudid, or Levodromoran.
- Changes in your dietary habits or a decrease in fluid intake.
- Decrease in activity or spending more time in bed.
What can you do?
- Look for any changes in your normal bowel pattern. Are you moving your bowels less often? Has the color changed? Are the stools harder?
To prevent or lessen constipation:
- Try to increase fluid intake to 8 full cups per day. Try water, fruit juices, coffee, tea, ice cream, sherbet, soup, popsicles, Jell-O and broth. Warm and hot fluids often work well.
- Eat high-fiber foods every day. High-fiber foods include bran, whole-wheat breads and cereals, raw or cooked vegetables, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and popcorn.
- Exercise or keep as active as you can tolerate.
To relieve constipation, try the following non-prescription medicines:
- Peri-Colace and Senekot S are stool softeners and laxatives. Either of these drugs can be used. Start with 1 tablet twice a day.
- Milk of magnesia works best if taken with 1 full glass of water. Milk of magnesia works well if taken at bedtime, 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. It can take up to 8 hours to work.
- Fiber laxatives such as Metamucil or Citrucel can be taken as directed on the container. They are good mixed in fruit juices. Fiber laxatives should only be used when you are able to drink 8 cups of fluid a day.
When to call us - Phone Number and Hours
Notify your doctor or nurse if you have any of the following:
- Constipation for more than 48 hours
- A change in your bowel habits
- Abdominal pain