How is constipation due to drugs treated?

Q: One of my female relatives, aged 35 years old, is suffering from drug induced constipation. She is taking different types of psychiatric medicines since the last eight years. Is there any permanent solution to this constipation since she needs to take medicines lifelong?

A:It may be possible to change some of the psychiatric medications from older generation drugs to newer generation drugs, which are less constipating. But in the interim, constipation should be treated with either Lactulose 20 ml BID or with Movicol, 1 sachet once or twice a day, and the dose adjusted to the need of the patient.