Constipation caused by drug

[Hizz]

I have to take Diltiazem and it causes chronic constipation.
I tried every dietary change I can think of. I drink lots of water, eat loads of veg, All Bran and oats for breakfast, a glass of prune juice every day plus some prunes as well. Not enough. So I'm using Lactulose. I hate the thought of having to take another drug long term.
Does anyone know whether taking lactulose long term causes any problems? Or any alternatives?

Have you considered trying Castor oil? It works.

Lactulose works best for me. It might take a few doses for you before anything happens if you're really bunged up. I don't think there's any problems taking it long term, I took it for a few months at the beginning of my pregnancy and that was absolutely fine.

Yes the lactulose works but I would have to take it forever. Caster oil? I hadn't thought of that.

dried apricots (those quick dried ones you get in a bag & orange juice) not castor oil - for some of us (ibs) all bran actually makes things worse. ask your doctor for some glycerine suppositories - as there used the other way (!!) they shouldn't interfere with your other conditions. You put them in wait about half an hour to 45 minutes & go to the bathroom - bingo - doesn't give you cramps and makes its easier to go. Talk to your pharmacist - they know what medicine goes or not. Suppositories don't have to be used all of the time just for a couple of days & whenever you need them.

Spoonful of linseeds (also called flax seeds) soaked in water overnight, they go a bit jelly like, drink it down with extra water.

I've eaten bran all my life so it's not a problem and I don't get cramps just very hard stools.
It doesn't seem like eating more fruit or fibre makes any difference. I'm eating prunes every day as well as prune juice.
The lactulose works well it's just that the problem is caused by the drug I have to take so it never goes away.

Double your liquid intake. Every day.

Lactulose isn’t great for chronic constipation. Movicol is better. It’s a stool softener and completely safe for daily, long term use.

I wonder how much liquid is enough?
On an average day I drink approx

200ml prune juice
500ml decaf coffee
2.5 litres water
200ml tea or wine
250 ml pomegranate juice

That is a lot of liquid to be fair! Hmmm. Try drinking more?!

I wouldn't really consider lactulose a drug, per se - it's a sugar that draws water from the body into the bowel to soften stools. No it's not ideal to be taking it, but if it works for you I'd do it rather than being constipated and miserable.