Agents that cause constipation especially among the elderly include:-

• Opoid pain relievers like Morphine, Codeine etc.
• Anti-cholinergic agents like Atropine, Trihexiphenidyl
• Antispasmodics like dicyclomine
• Tricyclic antidepressants like amytriptyline
• Calcium channel blockers used in arrhythmias and high blood pressure such as verapamil
• Anti-Parkinsonian drugs – Parkinson’s disease itself may cause constipation and the drugs used for this condition including Levodopa cause constipation as well
• Sympathomimetics like ephedrine and terbutaline. Terbutaline is commonly used on bronchial asthma
• Antipsychotics like clozapine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine used for psychiatric disorders
• Diuretics for heart failure like furosemide
• High blood pressure lowering agents like methyldopa, clonidine, propranolol etc.
• Antihistamines like diphenhydramine
• Antacids especially calcium and aluminium containing
• Calcium supplements
• Iron supplements
• Antidiarrheal agents (loperamide, attapulgite)
• Anticonvulsants e.g. phenytoin, clonazepam
• Pain relievers or NSAIDs (Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, aspirin etc.
• Miscellaneous compounds including Octreotide, polystyrene resins, cholestyramine (for lowering high blood cholesterol) and oral contraceptives
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Foods to eat when constipated

• baked beans
• black-eyed peas
• garbanzo beans
• lima beans
• pinto beans, or
• kidney beans
• kiwi
• plums
• pears
• sweet potatoes with skin