| Agent | Formula/strength | Adult dosage | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk laxatives | |||
| Methylcellulose (Citrucel) | Powder: 2 g (mix with 8 oz liquid) | One to three times daily | $13.05 for 840 g |
| Tablets: 500 mg (take with 8 oz liquid) | 2 tablets up to six times daily | $20.76 for 164 tablets | |
| Polycarbophil (Fibercon) | Tablets: 625 mg | 2 tablets one to four times daily | $10.80 for 90 tablets |
| Psyllium (Metamucil) | Powder: 3.4 g (mix with 8 oz liquid) | One to four times daily | $12.55 for 870 g |
| Stool Softeners | |||
| Docusate calcium (Surfak) | Capsules: 240 mg | Once daily | $16.92 for 100 capsules |
| Docusate sodium (Colace) | Capsules: 50 or 100 mg | 50 to 300 mg† | 50 mg: $14.50 for 60 capsules 100 mg: $17.71 for 60 capsules |
| Liquid: 150 mg per 15 mL | Liquid: $7.90 for 30 mL | ||
| Syrup: 60 mg per 15 mL | Syrup: $21.66 for 473 mL | ||
| Osmotic laxatives | |||
| Lactulose | Liquid: 10 g per 15 mL | 15 to 60 mL daily† | $36.35 for 480 mL |
| Magnesium citrate | Liquid: 296 mL per bottle | 0.5 to 1 bottle per day | $2.29 for 296 mL |
| Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) | Liquid: 400 mg per 5 mL | 30 to 60 mL once daily† | $2.64 for 12 fl oz |
| Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax) | Powder: 17 g (mix with 8 oz liquid) | Once daily | $25.34 for 12 packets |
| Sodium biphosphate (Phospho-Soda) | Liquid: 45 mL, 90 mL (mix with 4 oz water, then follow with 8 oz water | 20 to 45 mL daily | $2.65 for 90 mL |
| Sorbitol | Liquid: 480 mL | 30 to 150 mL daily | $7.57 to $25 for 480 mL |
| Stimulant laxatives | |||
| Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) | Tablets: 5 mg | 5 to 15 mg daily | $13.46 for 100 tablets |
| Cascara sagrada | Liquid: 120 ml | 5 mL once daily | $3.75 for 120 mL |
| Tablets: 325 mg | 1 tablet daily | $4.50 for 100 tablets | |
| Castor oil | Liquid: 60 ml | 15 to 60 mL once daily† | $8.35 for 120 mL |
| Senna (Senokot) | Tablets: 8.6 mg | 2 or 4 tablets once or twice daily | $21.04 for 100 tablets |
| Prokinetic Agents | |||
| Tegaserod (Zelnorm) | Tablets: 2 mg, 6 mg | Two times daily‡ | $169.15 for 60 tablets 2 mg or 6 mg |