However, a preparation of lactulose and glucomannan was shown to be effective and well-tolerated in patients with constipation and was also shown to be effective in controlling excessive food intakes. This preparation resulted in a return to normal frequency of weekly number of evacuations and a parallel control of weight gain. It is common for constipation to occur following severe spinal cord injury. Indeed, the effect may be the opposite to that desired. As had been seen in previous studies, fiber will work only in certain people suffering from constipation.
Some constipated people benefit from prescription drugs.
A drug called Propulsid promotes upper gastrointestinal peristalsis that often results in quicker lower bowel evacuation. Recent reports of deaths occurring when Propulsid was combined with certain cardiovascular drugs make the use of this medicine risky. A new drug called Procalopride was shown to help relieve chronic constipation. A report of a clinical study using Procalopride was published in the June 1999 Digestive Diseases Journal . A majority of the patients in the study were women with chronic constipation that didn't improve with fiber or laxatives.