A drug or substance that induces bowel movements or makes the stool softer and looser.

A substance that promotes bowel movements.

Agent that acts to promote evacuation of the bowel; a cathartic or purgative.

Synthetic compounds or mixtures administered orally or rectally with laxative activity. A laxative preparation is used to promote bowel movement to treat constipation or to clean the colon for rectal and bowel examinations. There are different types of laxatives that differ in mechanism of action and potency, including the bulk-producing agents, stool softeners, lubricants, hydrating agents, stimulants, saline laxatives and hyperosmotic agents.

Agents that produce a soft formed stool, and relax and loosen the bowels, typically used over a protracted period, to relieve CONSTIPATION.

Laxative, any drug used in the treatment of constipation to promote the evacuation of feces. Laxatives produce their effect by several mechanisms. The four main types of laxatives include: saline purgatives, fecal softeners, contact purgatives, and bulk laxatives. Saline purgatives are salts...