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
