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Osmotic Laxatives

Osmotic laxatives are used for colon cleanses and to treat constipation and hepatic encephalopathy. They work by absorbing water into the stool making bowel movements more frequent to remove toxic substances.

Why are osmotic laxatives prescribed?

  1. Constipation (57%)
  2. Colon Cleansing (32%)
  3. Hepatic Encephalopathy (10%)

Key takeaways

Osmotic laxatives are used to treat constipation and prepare the bowel for medical procedures like colonoscopies. Certain medications in this class can also be used to treat and prevent hepatic encephalopathy. These medications work for constipation by drawing water into your intestines, which helps to soften stool and make it easier to pass. Osmotic laxatives come in different forms, including oral solutions and powders. Examples include polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax, Glycolax), lactulose (Constulose, Enulose), and sodium / potassium / magnesium (Suprep Bowel Prep). You can discuss with your healthcare team which option might be right for you.

Prices for popular Osmotic Laxatives medications
Viewing 21 of 21 medications
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Glycolax (polyethylene glycol 3350 non-prescription)

as low as$10
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL prevents and treats occasional constipation. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
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Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350 non-prescription)

as low as$10
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL prevents and treats occasional constipation. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
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Suprep Bowel Prep (sodium sulfate/potassium sulfate/magnesium sulfate, sodium / potassium / magnesium)

as low as$23
Suprep Bowel Prep (sodium/potassium/magnesium) is used to treat constipation and for colon cleansing. Suprep Bowel Prep is slightly more popular than comparable drugs. There is currently no generic alternative for Suprep Bowel Prep.

GoodRx has partnered with InsideRx and Sebela Pharmaceuticals to reduce the price for this prescription. Check our savings tips for co-pay cards, assistance programs, and other ways to reduce your cost. Suprep Bowel Prep is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans.
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Constulose (lactulose)

as low as$15
LACTULOSE treats constipation. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
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Enulose (generlac, lactulose)

as low as$12
LACTULOSE prevents and treats hepatic encephalopathy, a condition where the liver does not clear toxins from the body. It works by decreasing the amount of toxins in the blood. This decreases symptoms.
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Colyte (peg 3350 and electrolytes)

as low as$16
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL; ELECTROLYTES cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
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Golytely (peg 3350 and electrolytes)

as low as$16
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL; ELECTROLYTES cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
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Moviprep (peg 3350 and electrolytes)

as low as$16
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL; ELECTROLYTES; ASCORBIC ACID cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
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Nulytely (peg 3350 and electrolytes, trilyte)

as low as$27
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL; ELECTROLYTES cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
See pricesMore info
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gavilyte-g

as low as$12
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL; ELECTROLYTES cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
See pricesMore info
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Fleet (saline laxative)

as low as$2
View otherStool Softener Laxatives
BISACODYL treats occasional constipation. It may also be used to clean the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by helping the muscles in your intestines move stool. This helps produce a bowel movement. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
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gavilax

as low as$12
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL prevents and treats occasional constipation. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
See pricesMore info
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gavilyte-n

as low as$14
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL; ELECTROLYTES cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
See pricesMore info
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polyethylene glycol 3350

as low as$20
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL prevents and treats occasional constipation. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
See pricesMore info
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gavilyte-c

as low as$22
Gavilyte-c is an inexpensive drug used as a laxative to clean out the bowels before a colonoscopy. It is slightly less popular than comparable drugs. Gavilyte-c is only available as a generic drug. Gavilyte-c is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
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Kristalose

as low as$106
Kristalose (lactulose) powder is a laxative derived from lactose. It helps to treat chronic constipation. This drug is less popular than comparable drugs. There are currently no generic alternatives for Kristalose.

GoodRx has partnered with InsideRx and Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to reduce the price for this prescription. Check our savings tips for co-pay cards, assistance programs, and other ways to reduce your cost. Kristalose is covered by some Medicare and insurance plans.
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Suflave

as low as$110
Suflave is part of the Osmotic Laxatives class and treats Colon Cleansing. Osmotic laxatives are used for colon cleanses and to treat constipation and hepatic encephalopathy. They work by absorbing water into the stool making bowel movements more frequent to remove toxic substances. Suflave is only available as a brand name drug.
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Plenvu

as low as$144
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL; ELECTROLYTES; ASCORBIC ACID cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
See pricesMore info
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Sutab

as low as$145
Sutab (sodium sulfate/potassium chloride/magnesium sulfate) is used to clean out the bowel before a colonscopy. Sutab is an osmotic laxative which works by absorbing water into the stool making bowel movements more frequent. Sutab is avalible as a carton of 24 tablets. There are currently no generic alternatives for Sutab. It is covered by some Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
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Osmoprep

as low as$262
SODIUM PHOSPHATE SALTS cleans the bowel out before a medical procedure. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
See pricesMore info
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Pizensy

Pizensy is part of the Osmotic Laxatives class and treats Constipation. Osmotic laxatives are used for colon cleanses and to treat constipation and hepatic encephalopathy. They work by absorbing water into the stool making bowel movements more frequent to remove toxic substances. Pizensy is only available as a brand name drug.
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Disclaimer: Popularity is based on total prescriptions for the brand and generic versions of each drug, regardless of the condition being treated. Some drugs are prescribed for multiple conditions.

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Compare other Osmotic Laxatives drugs

Golytely vs MiralaxLactulose vs MiralaxMagnesium-citrate vs MiralaxMiralax vs ColaceMiralax vs Dok-plus

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