Editing Laxative (section)

{{short description|Agents that relax and loosen the bowels and stools}}
{{Redirect|Purgative||Purgation (disambiguation){{!}}Purgation}}
[[File:Glycerin suppositories.jpg|thumb|Glycerin suppositories used as laxatives.]]
'''Laxatives''', '''purgatives''', or '''aperients''' are substances that loosen [[human feces|stools]]<ref name=NIDDK>{{cite web|title=Constipation|url=http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/Constipation_508.pdf|website=www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov|publisher=National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse|access-date=3 November 2014}}</ref> and increase [[defecation|bowel movements]]. They are used to treat and prevent [[constipation]].

Laxatives vary as to how they work and the side effects they may have. Certain [[stimulant]], [[lubricant]], and [[saline water|saline]] laxatives are used to evacuate the [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]] for [[rectum|rectal]] and bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by [[enema]]s under certain circumstances. Sufficiently high doses of laxatives may cause [[diarrhea]]. Some laxatives combine more than one active ingredient, and may be administered [[Oral administration|orally]] or [[Rectum#Route of administration|rectally]].