sean's closet ;p

Trust me, I'm an Intern Pharmacist #1

Patient: this medication makes me kind of constipated

Me: oh, are doing anything or taking anything to help with that constipation?

Patient: oh yes, I see a specialist! I take Senna. I've been taking it for about a year. I always get so constipated still.

Me: does the specialist know that you're taking the Senna long term?

Patient: No, I haven't told him.

Me: hmm, well the cause of your constipation could be the fact that you've been taking the Senna for so long. It's a stimulate laxative and the more you take it, the more your bowels grow dependent on it. hmm, why don't you try holding off of the Senna for a few weeks, and try a safer option such as a fiber supplement like Metamucil. This you can take for long term, but make sure your doctor knows about it, and you may want to inform him that you've been taking the Senna... You can also try docusate...hmm, but do you have high blood pressure?

Patient: Yes I do.

Me: Okay, then you should take the docusate calcium, and not the docusate sodium. This will work better than the fiber supplement, and is safer than the Senna, but you don't want to be taking this long term either. If you're still having issues after a few weeks, you may want to see your physician.

**starting to feel like a real pharmacist : )