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Which medicine is best for chronic constipation in muscular dystrophy?

Dr Chandra M Gulhati
Editor, MIMS,
New Delhi

Q: Could you tell me which allopathic medicine is the best for chronic constipation in patient with muscular dystrophy and causes no harm if taken throughout life?

A:Muscular dystrophy is a broad term with many specific disorders such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy, Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy, Myotonic Dystrophy, FSH etc. etc. Each of these disorders has be managed in its own way. Constipation in most of these disorders is due to sluggish and/or lack of movement of muscles. However, bisacodyl (Dulcolax, Julax), lactulose (Duphalac), gum karaya and cotex frangulae (Kanormal), and dioctyl (Laxicon) can be used for fairly long duration in such patients.