In surveys conducted by academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies, it has been revealed that constipation is a condition that’s estimated to afflict anywhere from 5 to 15% of the general population. The high incidence suggests not only that there exists a very large market for people interested in constipation treatments, but also that in response to the demand a plethora of agents have been developed to combat constipation.
The fact that there are many supplements and medications targeted toward the constipation patient might discourage new entrants into the market, however the truth is that there are fairly few (if any) universally effective treatments. Instead, the product market is fragmented into sectors, none of which can provide complete relief to the average sufferer. The market for constipation treatments can continue to support novel agents, as long as they provide new benefits over existing treatments.
Currently, the treatment market can be divided into 4 types. There are supplemental agents, which don’t require FDA approval. There are herbal agents, which usually fall outside FDA jurisdiction but has occasionally experienced periods of regulation. There are general laxative agents that are either over-the-counter or by prescription. There are the new “targeted therapies” that attempt to address molecular and hormonal causes of constipation.
Supplemental agents encompass brand names like Metamucil which are derived from natural sources of high fiber usually. An example of a natural source are psyllium husks, which are the seed husks of the plantago plant. They are ground into powdered form and mixed with liquids for a high fiber drink. Supplemental agents are usually safe but still need to be taken with plenty of water for the right bulk effect.
By and large, herbal supplements are synonymous with senna, which are rich in sennosides, a class of compounds that stimulates the intestine. The constipation treatment market used to be much more crowded with other herbal supplements like aloe and cascara, but the FDA has since then cracked down on new entrants to the field because of safety concerns. Some manufacturers still produce aloe-based herbal supplements in concordance with the law.
Over-the-counter laxative agents make up the largest proportion of constipation treatments. Laxative agents are diverse, operating through different physiological labels such as “stimulant”, “lubricant” or “bulk”. The stimulant laxatives actually cause greater muscle movement in the large intestine that helps push food along. The lubricant laxative reduce water uptake in the gut which helps keep the food retain fluid and eases its movement.
The newest entrants to the market for constipation treatments are the compounds with molecular specificity. This means that these medicines were designed specifically to hit chemical “signalers” or “nerve centers” in the gut. The drug Amitiza (or lubiprostone) is thought to physically interact with a ClC2 receptor that allows passage of calcium ions in and out of the intestinal space. This likely affects water balance which in turn affects how foods move through the colon.
You can find more ideas on remedies for constipation. Niche detail resources on chronic constipation treatments are available.
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