The global laxatives market is expanding rapidly, with a CAGR of 5.5 percent expected from 2020 to 2028, with a starting value of US$ 5,462.9 Mn in 2019.
Constipation is one of the most common conditions diagnosed in clinical practice, affecting up to one-fifth of the general population. According to some studies, the prevalence in older adults ranges from 24% to 50%. It has also been discovered that between 10% and 18% of geriatrics in community dwellings and 74% of nursing home residents use laxatives on a regular basis. Constipation can have a significant impact on patients' daily functions and quality of life. Severe constipation can also cause coronary events, cerebral ischemia, and syncope. Several types of laxatives are frequently prescribed to such patients, particularly those of advanced age, to alleviate the complications of uncontrolled or unmanaged constipation.
Constipation can be treated at home by including fiber in the diet, exercising regularly, and drinking more fluids. Home remedies for constipation are effective in the treatment of mild cases. Laxatives, on the other hand, are drugs that are used to treat both severe and mild cases of constipation. These laxatives have different mechanisms for treating constipation and differ from one another. Psyllium and methylcellulose are two drug classes that work by increasing the bulk of the stool, causing the intestines to move. As a result, these drugs are also known as bulk-forming laxatives. Furthermore, some medications work by increasing the volume of water in the stool, making it laxer and easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives include drugs such as senna and bisacodyl. Stimulant laxatives induce bowel movements by speeding up colonic muscle movement.
Furthermore, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown restrictions and the need to maintain social distance have resulted in an increase in the number of people staying at home. As a result, a sedentary lifestyle has resulted in chronic constipation. Furthermore, rising junk food consumption alters bowel peristaltic activity, resulting in stool hardening, and thus the laxatives market is expected to grow significantly between 2020 and 2028.