Could Your Medicine Be Causing Constipation?

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Constipation is easy to blame on not eating enough fibre or drinking enough water. But if your bowel habits have changed recently, your medicine cabinet may also be worth looking at. Several commonly used medicines can cause constipation as a side effect, particularly when you’ve recently started taking something new.

Pain medicines are one example. Opioid painkillers, which may be prescribed after surgery or for ongoing pain, can slow the movement of the bowel. Some medicines used for depression, blood pressure, allergies, and other conditions can also contribute to constipation.

That doesn’t mean you should stop taking medicine because you suspect it’s responsible. If a new prescription coincides with a noticeable change in your bowel habits, mention it to your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you whether constipation is a recognised side effect and whether there is a safer way to manage it.

It can help to think about when the problem started. If you were previously regular and suddenly began going less often after starting a new tablet, that timing is useful information for your healthcare professional. Keep a list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products and supplements, so they can consider the full picture.

Simple measures can sometimes help. Staying physically active, drinking enough fluid, and eating a balanced diet with appropriate fibre can support regular bowel movements. However, suddenly adding large amounts of fibre without enough fluid can make constipation worse for some people.

Be particularly cautious about repeatedly treating constipation yourself without understanding the cause. A pharmacist can advise whether a laxative is appropriate and which type may suit your situation.

And don’t ignore a significant or persistent change in your bowel habits. Constipation accompanied by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, blood in your stool, or unexplained weight loss needs medical attention.

Your bowel habits can change for many reasons, and medication is only one possibility. But if the timing lines up with a new prescription, it’s a detail worth mentioning rather than simply putting the problem down to getting older.