Do laxatives cause weightloss?

pnq06

Hiya,

A friend of mine is taking laxatives prescribed by her GP and she seems to be losing weight at an alarming rate.... Is it related or is she taking more than she should be???

Any help appreciated

mr_rush

laxative abuse can cause weight loss but just using senna a couple of times a day shouldn't be causing weight to drop at 'an alarming rate'

pnq06

Not sure what she's up to then!!!

Thanks...

astonsmummy

my friends mum takes up to 12 laxatives a night, she's painfully thin and has an eating disorder.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

It does sound as though she must be taking more than the normal dose.

robwend

laxatives do not i repeat do not cause weight loss. they cause water loss. which can make you seriously ill if abused on purpose or mistake , obviously that will show on the scales as a loss , but is not a perminant

frivolous_fay

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1057.html

Hapless_2

Slightly O/T but

Like diuretics, laxatives are abused a lot with eating disorders.
Things like Adios, lipobind etc are 90% diuretics and can cause major health problems when abused and cause serious trouble if taken with other OTC or prescribed meds.
Also wonder drug Hoodia can cause liver problems and interact with other medications and can cause problems with diabetes.


(I am ex-bulimic and occasional eating disorder counsellor)

trace_567

I'm an ex bulimic as well. As has already been said laxatives don't make you lose body fat weight but can certainly make the scales go down because of water loss, and the lack of bowel content can make your feel much thinner as your stomach flattens.
Abuse of laxatives is very dangerous. Most know they are dangerous, but many people think as soon as they stop they will be ok. This isn't always the case as I found out the hard way. I perminately damaged my bowel with laxative abuse.
However I would have thought that since you say they are prescribed by the doctor that they would be keeping some track of how much she is requesting them. I know with my doctors if I request something too soon they reject it.

As you are concerned by how much weight your friend has lost I would speak to her about it. Although people with eating disorders will often lie to hide it.

hearts

I had heard this and asked my doctor. He told me it was a load of schit. ;-)

robwend

i had a powerful painkiller on perscription and kept repeating it for 12 years. till they then called me in and said they were just doing a periodical check! blimey 12 years is a long period lol