That does sound like a long time, but maybe the product is gentle. If you trust your GP then it should be okay.

In my teens I abused them so yes if not taken right they can cause damage. Under a doctors advice then yes it should be ok. Just remember what doctors tell you is not black and white but they do have a better understanding of what is going on.

Taking laxatives fir a long time is not a good thing. But if your Dr has suggested it, you’ld like to think he wouldn’t do anything to risk your health. It’s only 3 weeks

Thanks mom184101. Yes, I am on medication that has constipation as a side effect but I don’t have any trouble going, if you know what I mean. I have been feeling constantly nauseous for a few months and after examining my abdomen, he thinks there could possibly be some build up. I’ve also started taking probiotics which, coincidence or not, have gotten rid of the nausea almost completely. I will talk to the pharmacist also when I go in Thanks ladies

Yes, as a teen I used for a LONG time but not in a healthy way and they are extremely difficult not to become reliant on. I suspect your doctor may have recommended it to counteract binding up caused by another medication you may be on but if you’re worried, question the advice. You know your body better than anyone.

Speak to the pharmacist for reassurance but 3 weeks isn’t going to make you dependant on it. Duphalac essentially is just made up of large sugar molecules that draw water into the large bowel making the motion softer to pass. So not really a chemical.Once you have done the 3wks perhaps something like Metamucil would be beneficial.

My 5 yo daughter had to be on it for a few months, ( a different one) But it was to help keep her tummy clear and as she had been packed up and not going to the toilet for a long time before we knew what was wrong.. It had to be for quite a while to give her bowel a chance to heal and go back to the normal shape etc that its meant to be…. It seemed to take while for this to happen and for her body to get back into a normal routine… But it worked and she no longer has any major issues with going..

Oh, I just remember.. One way to clean out can be taking psyllium husk. One teaspoon dissolved in water, twice a day. Beside helping cleaning out, it lowers the cholesterol.

Also, to add to my other answer, bowels need to be able to work well on their own. I try natural remedies first, before any other interventions. Plenty of foods have the same effect as laxatives.

There are other methods for cleaning out that aren’t dependant on laxatives. Perhaps speak to the chemist and if you’re still unsure seek a second opinion.

I have never heard of this being prescribed for a “bit of a clear out”. It is a constipation medicine based on man-made sugar, softening the stool and increasing water content. I would look at natural methods like increasing natural fibre (think metamucil if you don’t like to eat fruit or wholegrains). I also think oats works wonders for “a bit of a clean out” since it absorbs toxins and also removes those, sweeping the guts clean. Natural and sustainable with no side effects.

What mum103920 said is really interesting. Maybe your doctor thinks the same.

I have never heard of a Doctor prescribing laxatives for this reason. Maybe check with a chemist too, I find our chemist invaluable. Maybe get a second opinion too?

Twice (years apart), I’ve had the GP put one of my kids on a ‘maintenance’ dose of laxatives for 3-4 weeks. It helped no end to get rid of their tummy pain, hardness and bloating, and no long term problems. They did need to drink lots of water too. I always try natural foods first, especially black foods like prunes and licorice, but when that didn’t help, following the doctors advice worked perfectly.

I would be trying more natural methods first, lots of foods and drinks offer the same result as laxatives do, google them

No I haven’t heard of that. If you worried then I would get another opinion