Risks of laxative use

• Interaction with medicines. Your medical history and medicines you're taking may limit your laxative options. Laxatives can interact with many medicines including certain antibiotics, heart and bone medicines. Read labels carefully. If you're not sure whether a certain laxative is safe for you, ask a healthcare professional. Take the recommended dosage. Don't take more unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Complicating conditions. Laxative use can be dangerous if constipation is caused by a serious condition. This includes a bowel blockage, also called an intestinal obstruction.
• Dependency. Using laxatives too much for weeks or months can make constipation worse. This happens because they can decrease your colon's ability to contract.
• Precautions for pregnant women and children. Don't give laxatives to children under age 6 without a healthcare professional's recommendation. If you're pregnant, ask your healthcare team before using laxatives. Bulk-forming laxatives and stool softeners are generally safe to use during pregnancy. But stimulant laxatives may be harmful.
• Precautions for nursing mothers. If you've recently given birth, talk to a healthcare professional before using laxatives. Although they may be safe to use during breastfeeding, some ingredients may pass into breast milk. This may cause diarrhea in nursing infants.