New rules are coming into effect for over-the-counter laxatives for adolescents, as well as the size of packs of stimulant laxatives that can be sold to adults.
Over-the-counter laxatives for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years can now only be supplied under the supervision of a pharmacist, following the results of a four-year review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) into their safety.
In their in-depth review of the benefits and risks of these medicines, Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) noted that stimulant laxatives have an acceptable safety profile, have been widely used for many years, and are generally used responsibly. However, CHM also considered evidence that stimulant laxatives are subject to misuse and overuse. Such cases mostly concern people with eating disorders, although misuse and overuse are likely to be under-reported. Occasional, serious reports of misuse and overdose have been received, including rare reports of fatalities.
Furthermore, CHM noted that current clinical guidance recommends that stimulant laxatives should not be used first-line for short-term constipation. CHM concluded that stimulant laxatives could continue to be available to patients to purchase, subject to a range of proportionate measures to reduce the risk of misuse and support correct use.
The Drug Safety Update, published on 18 August 2020, also means large packs of stimulant laxatives can no longer be bought from general retail stores, with those on the general sales list to only be sold in packs of 20 standard-strength or 10 maximum-strength tablets to patients aged 18 years and older.
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