Home Symptoms Constipation

Constipation — what to take?

Constipation = fewer than 3 stools per week, hard stools, straining to evacuate. It affects 15-20% of the population, especially women, the elderly and sedentary individuals.

5 recommended OTC drugs
4,387 pharmacies available

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for constipation

Informativ. Nu înlocuiește sfatul medicului. Consultă medicul sau farmacistul înainte de a lua orice medicament.

Types of constipation

Functional constipation (no organic cause) is the most common - diet low in fibre, sedentary lifestyle, insufficient hydration. Secondary constipation arises from disease (hypothyroidism, diabetes, Parkinson's) or medications (opioids, anticholinergics, iron).

OTC stepwise treatment

First line - bulk-forming laxatives: psyllium (Metamucil, Mucofalk), flaxseed. Increase stool volume, stimulate peristalsis. Take with plenty of fluid. Effect in 1-3 days.

Second line - osmotic laxatives: lactulose (Duphalac), macrogol (Forlax, Movicol). Draw water into the intestine. Safe long-term, can be given in pregnancy.

Third line - stimulant laxatives: bisacodyl (Dulcolax), senna. Stimulate peristalsis. Use occasionally, not chronically (risk of lazy colon).

Glycerin suppositories - rapid effect (5-30 min).

Non-pharmacological measures

  • 25-30g of fibre per day: vegetables, fruits, whole grains.
  • At least 1.5-2 litres of water per day.
  • Daily movement - 30 min of walking stimulates transit.
  • Respond to the urge to defecate, do not postpone.
  • Physiological position - elevated feet (stool) facilitates evacuation.

When medical evaluation is needed

New-onset constipation over age 50, weight loss, blood in stool, iron-deficiency anaemia, family history of colorectal cancer - all require colonoscopy.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a physician or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Nights, weekends, holidays

24/7 pharmacies for constipation

Constipation doesn't wait for office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 AM or on a weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter on and find the nearest on-call pharmacy. Major cities have several round-the-clock pharmacies — the per-city pages below list them all, with address, phone and verified opening hours.

Call ahead before you leave, especially at night — on-call schedules can change and stock for some prescription items may be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for constipation

Beyond the OTC products listed above, you can also browse whole medicine and supplement categories, with prices compared across Dr. Max, Catena, Tei, HelpNet and the rest of our network. Category pages are in Romanian — the comparator works the same way for you.

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for constipation

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For constipation most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for constipation runs over weeks.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Persistent new-onset constipation over 50 years
  • Blood in stool or black stools
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Severe abdominal pain with distension
  • Alternating constipation and diarrhoea

Frequently asked

Common questions

How long is normal to go without a stool?
Normal: 3/day to 3/week. Constipation = less than 3/week, hard stools, major effort.
Are laxatives dangerous?
Bulk-forming and osmotic ones are safe long-term. Chronic stimulant laxatives lead to dependence.
Can I take Dulcolax every day?
No - maximum 7-10 consecutive days. For chronic constipation use lactulose or macrogol.
How quickly does a laxative work?
Glycerin suppository: 15-30 min. Oral bisacodyl: 6-12h. Lactulose: 24-48h. Bulk-forming laxatives: 1-3 days.

See also

Need a medicine now?

Find the nearest pharmacy
— with prices and stock.

Open the map →