Laxatives: Cost, Benefits, And Side Effects Explained (2024)

Laxatives are medicines that aid in the stimulation of bowel movements or the loosening of feces to facilitate its transit. They are often used to treat constipation, which is characterised by irregular, uncomfortable, or difficult stool motions. Laxatives are available in various forms, including tablets, powders, liquids, and suppositories, and can be purchased from pharmacies and online retailers. The price of laxatives varies depending on the brand, type, and quantity, ranging from a few dollars to over $20. For example, Dulcolax Laxative Tablets (50 Ct) for overnight relief are priced at $11.48, while Equate ClearLax Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Powder for Solution, 17.9 Oz, is priced at $13.48.

Laxatives at CVS Pharmacy

Laxatives are medications used to treat constipation and can be purchased at CVS Pharmacy. They are available in-store and online, with free delivery for orders over $35. CVS offers a range of laxatives, including:

Pills and Tablets

• CVS Health C-Lax Laxative Tablets – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Dulcolax Stimulant Laxative Tablets – For overnight relief.
• CVS Health Maximum Strength Laxative Tablets – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• CVS Health Senna Laxative Tablets – Natural laxative with 86mg of sennosides for overnight relief. Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• CVS Health Senna Natural Laxative Tablets – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• CVS Health Stool Softener Plus Stimulant Laxative Tablets – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Colace 2-In-1 Stool Softener + Stimulant Laxative Tablets – 60-count, gentle constipation relief in 6-12 hours. Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Perdiem Stimulant Laxative Tablets – 60-count. Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Senokot Regular Strength Laxative Tablets – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Swiss Kriss Natural Herbal Laxative Tablets – 120-count.
• CVS Health Regular Strength Laxative Tablets – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Dulcolax Soft Chews Laxative – Mixed berry flavour, 30-count.
• Ex-Lax Regular Strength Stimulant Laxative Chocolated Pieces
• Freskaro Magnesium Citrate Oral Saline Laxative – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Dulcolax Soft Chews Laxative Constipation Relief – 60-count.
• Senokot Regular Strength Natural Vegetable Laxative Ingredient – 100-count.

Powders

• MiraLAX Laxative Powder
• CVS Health Purelax Constipation Relief Powder – Unflavoured. Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• CVS Health Purelax Powder Travel Size Pouches – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Konsyl Daily Psyllium Fiber Powder

Liquids

• Dulcolax Liquid Laxative for Constipation Relief – Cherry flavour, 12 fl. oz.
• CVS Health Milk of Magnesia Saline Laxative – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.

Enemas

• Fleet Laxative Mineral Oil Enema – 1-count.
• CVS Health Ready-to-Use Mini Enema – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Fleet Laxative Saline Enema
• CVS Health Glycerin Suppositories Adult Size – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.
• Fleet Laxative Liquid Glycerin Suppositories

Children's Laxatives

• CVS Health Glycerin Suppositories Children's Laxative – 25-count.
• CVS Health Mineral Oil USP Lubricant Laxative – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off.

Laxatives at Amazon

Amazon offers a wide range of laxatives, including tablets, powders, suppositories, and liquid gels. Prices vary depending on the brand, quantity, and type of laxative. Here is an overview of some popular laxative products available on Amazon:

Tablets

Laxative tablets are a convenient and popular option. Amazon offers various brands, including Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, and Rite Aid. Prices for these products range from $3.30 for a pack of 10 Dulcolax tablets to $28.99 for a pack of 90 Equate Maximum Strength Laxative tablets. Some products also offer a Subscribe & Save option, which provides a small discount on the price.

Powders

Laxative powders are another common choice, and Amazon offers options such as MiraLAX and GoodSense. These products typically come in larger quantities and can range in price from $7.00 for the Amazon Basic Care ClearLax powder to $29.74 for the MiraLAX Gentle Constipation Relief Powder. Subscribe & Save discounts are also often available for these products.

Suppositories

Laxative suppositories, such as the Fleet Laxative Glycerin Suppositories, offer a different approach to constipation relief. This product is available on Amazon for $5.39 for a pack of 50 suppositories.

Liquid Gels

Liquid gel laxatives, like the Dulcolax Stool Softener Laxative Liquid Gel Capsules, provide a convenient and discrete option. This product is priced at $17.48 for a pack of 100 liquid gels on Amazon.

Natural Options

For those seeking natural laxative options, Amazon offers products like the NOW Foods Give a Tea Organic Senna and the Traditional Medicinals Organic Smooth Move Laxative Tea. These natural laxatives are priced at $8.68 and $21.34, respectively, and provide a gentle and organic approach to constipation relief.

Laxatives at Walmart

Laxatives are available at Walmart in various forms, including tablets, suppositories, soft chews, liquids, and powders. The price range for these laxatives is between $2.12 and $38.90, depending on the type, brand, and quantity.

Dulcolax, a well-known brand of laxatives, offers a range of options at Walmart. Their stimulant laxative tablets in a pack of 6 are priced at $2.12, while a pack of 50 tablets costs $11.48. Dulcolax also provides soft chews in a mixed berry flavour, with a pack of 30 priced at $10.47 to $10.98. For those seeking a faster-acting solution, Dulcolax laxative suppositories are available in a pack of 4 for $5.48.

Walmart also offers other brands of laxatives, such as Equate, which provides maximum strength laxative tablets for constipation relief. A pack of 24 tablets is priced at $2.48. Equate also offers gentle laxative tablets with 100 tablets priced at $4.88 to $4.98.

For those who prefer liquid laxatives, Phillips Milk of Magnesia offers a wild cherry-flavoured liquid magnesium laxative. A 26-ounce bottle is priced at $9.88.

In addition to these options, Walmart carries a range of other laxative brands, including Ex-Lax, Colace, and Senokot, with prices varying depending on the specific product and quantity.

Laxatives at Walgreens

Walgreens offers a variety of laxatives, including their own brand and other well-known brands such as Dulcolax, MiraLAX, and ex-lax. The price of laxatives at Walgreens can vary depending on the brand, type, and quantity. Here is a detailed list of some of the laxatives available at Walgreens:

Walgreens Laxatives

• Walgreens SmoothLAX Powder Unflavored (26.9 oz): Buy 1, Get 1 50% off.
• Walgreens Gentle Laxative Tablets (200 count): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.
• Walgreens Maximum Strength Laxative Pills (90 count): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.
• Walgreens Laxative Tablets (90 count): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.
• Walgreens Laxative Pills (24 count): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.
• Walgreens Castor Oil (4 oz): $6.79.
• Walgreens Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative/ Oral Solution Lemon (10 fl oz): $3.99 for one or $6.00 for two.
• Walgreens Stool Softener + Stimulant Laxative Tablets (200 count): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.
• Walgreens Gentle Laxative Comfort-Coated Tablets (4 count): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.

Other Brands

• Dulcolax Liquid Saline Laxative Cherry (12 fl oz): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.
• Dulcolax Saline Laxative Soft Chews Mixed Berry (30 count): Earn $10 Walgreens Cash rewards when spending $35 on summer essentials.
• MiraLAX Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Unflavored (17.9 oz): $19.99.
• MiraLAX 14-dose powder laxative- Polyethylene Glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) (8.3 oz): $11.99.
• Ex-lax Regular Strength Stimulant Laxative Chocolate (24 count): $4.49.
• Ex-lax Maximum Strength Stimulant Laxative Pills (24 count): $4.49.
• Phillips Milk of Magnesia Saline Laxative Liquid Original (12 oz): $6.99.

Please note that prices and inventory may vary between online and in-store purchases.

Laxative types and their costs

Laxatives are medicines that aid in the stimulation of bowel movements or the loosening of feces to facilitate its transit. They are often used to treat constipation, which is characterised by irregular, uncomfortable, or difficult stool movements. Laxatives can be broadly categorised into three types: bulking agents (or fibre), stimulant laxatives, and stool softeners.

Fibre

Many people do not get enough fibre in their diet, so these supplements can provide the fibre needed to prevent constipation. Most fibre supplements come in powder form, which can be mixed with water or juice. The price of fibre supplements varies depending on the brand and quantity. For example, the price of Benefiber Daily Prebiotic Fibre Powder for Digestive Health (8.7 oz) is $12.44 on Walmart.com, while the price of Konsyl Daily Psyllium Fiber Powder is not explicitly stated on CVS.com but is available as a "Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off" deal.

Stimulant Laxatives

These laxatives stimulate the lining of the intestine to help push it through the colon faster and increase hydration in the stool. They provide fast relief for extreme or severe constipation but should be taken in moderation as they can cause severe cramping and diarrhoea. The price of stimulant laxatives varies depending on the brand, quantity, and retailer. For example, Dulcolax Stimulant Laxative Tablets (50 ct) cost $9.98 on Amazon.com, while the price of the CVS Health Maximum Strength Laxative Tablets is not explicitly stated on CVS.com but is available as a "Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off" deal.

Stool Softeners

Stool softeners are a gentle option for those who are not too concerned about their constipation. These products can take up to a week or longer to be effective and are suitable for those who have recently given birth or are recovering from surgery. The price of stool softeners varies depending on the brand, quantity, and retailer. For example, the Dulcolax Pink Stool Softener Softgels (25 ct) are priced at $6.99 at Walmart, while the CVS Health Stool Softener 100 MG Softgels are not explicitly priced on CVS.com but are available as a "Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off" deal.

In addition to these three main types, there are also other varieties of laxatives available, such as lubricants, hyperosmolar and osmotics, and rectal suppositories, which work in different ways to provide relief from constipation.

Frequently asked questions