26 May 2023 • In a clinical practice guideline issued by the American Gastroenterological Association and the American College of Gastroenterology, recommendations are presented for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. New guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults are the first to recommend magnesium oxide and senna as evidence-based treatments.

Lin Chang, M.D. and colleagues conducted systematic reviews relating to use of fiber, osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, secretagogues, and serotonin type 4 agonists to provide evidence-based practice recommendations for treatment of CIC in adults.

Among their 10 recommendations for the pharmacological management of CIC in adults, based on available evidence, the panel made strong recommendations for the use of polyethylene glycol, sodium picosulfate, linaclotide, plecanatide, and prucalopride for CIC in adults. Conditional recommendations were made for the use of fiber, lactulose, senna, magnesium oxide, and lubiprostone.

"The guidelines are meant to provide a framework for approaching the management of CIC," the authors write. "Clinical providers should engage in shared decision-making based on patient preferences as well as medication cost and availability."

Source: AGA | Read full story