Medicines that can cause constipation
Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause constipation. Examples include:
- Antacids with aluminum.
- Anticonvulsants.
- Antidepressants.
- Blood pressure medicines, especially clonidine or calcium channel blockers (for example, verapamil).
- Calcium supplements.
- Chemotherapy medicines.
- Cold medicines (antihistamines).
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
- Diuretics, such as Lasix and hydrochlorothiazide.
- Iron supplements.
- Levodopa.
- Lipid-lowering agents, such as cholestyramine.
- Medicines for Parkinson's disease.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Opiates, including pain medicines with codeine.
- Psychotropics.
- Radiation therapy.
If you think that your constipation is caused by a medicine:
- For prescription medicines, call the health professional who prescribed it to see whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.
- For nonprescription medicines, stop taking the medicine. Call your health professional if you feel you need to still take the medicine.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: October 10, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine | |
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