HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Why are laxatives not working for me? i took two 5mg pills in the past 3.5 hours and absolutely nothing!

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Ali Saberi answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Patience: May take up to 8 hours. Water helps. And u may want to try glycerine suppository. If u start to develop a lot of pain, belly bloating or if u are not passing gas at all, u should seek medical help very soon.

Dr Munshower and 2 doctors agreed

Answered 10/26/2016

3.9k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Does weed affect your laxatives? After two hours of taking laxatives are you able to smoke weed? (Medical reasons)

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I took a stool softener (max 3 pills/24 hours) and waited 12 hours, can I take a laxative (1-2 pills)? the stool softener didn't relieve constipation.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

IBS. Took a stimulant laxative twice in one week as the first time didnt work. (3-4 days apart). Took a dose this morning and only started working 12 hours later. Been having severe nausea for the last 6 hours on and off. Is that from the laxative?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I had an appendectomy two days ago . I haven't had a poop since. I even took laxative hours ago and nothing . How long should I wait? Is it normal?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

It is 20 hours before my colonoscopy and I still have two rounds of laxative prep to do. Will it hurt me to have a bowl of ice cream or a candy bar?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I took two laxatives Wednesday, three Thursday, and two today. If I don't take anymore laxatives could I still screw my colon up?
Can you get constipated from switching from laxative to laxative? I couldn't poop for one day, so I took senna laxatives for two days, took prune juice for three days, still couldn't poop and now I'm trying to take magnesium citrate on my fourth day?
Two days fasting / preparing before colonoscopy/endoscopy and now three days constipated. What should I do? Should i take laxative?
My skin is turning yellow and I am so constipated i haven't had a bowl movement in two or three weeks. I have tried a laxative and stool softener with no results. I have no medicad or insurance.
36 weeks preg. Struggled whole pregnanvy w constipation. Milk of mag colace (docusate sodium) duralax nothing is working can I take a laxative in pill form? Im miserabl

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.