Medicines That Can Cause Constipation in Children
Many medicines can cause constipation. Medicines that are most likely to cause constipation include:
- Antacids.
- Antidepressants.
- Some blood pressure medicines.
- Cold medicines (antihistamines).
- Calcium and iron supplements.
- Narcotic pain medicines.
If constipation occurs following the start of a medicine:
Q: My 7-year-old son likes to swallow his bubblegum. I’ve heard that it will stay in his stomach forever. True? A: This old wives’ tale is very popular on the playground, but it’s definitely FALSE. "It is true that most of the components of bubblegum are not found in nature," says Robynne Chutkan, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Georgetown University. "And as such we don’t have the enzymes to break them down. But eventually gum does get through the intestine...
Read the Swallowing Gum article > >
- For prescription medicine, before your child's next dose (the same day), call the doctor who prescribed it to determine whether your child should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary.
- For nonprescription medicine, stop giving your child the medicine. If you feel your child needs to continue taking the medicine, call your doctor.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
