7 Ways to Get Rid of Constipation Fast

No one likes the feeling of being constipated. So, it’s normal to look for ways to relieve constipation as quickly as possible. 

Many things can cause constipation. The best way to relieve constipation over the long term is to figure out what’s causing your constipation and take steps to address that issue. For example, you may need to drink more water or eat more fiber to get rid of your constipation for good. 

Usually, it takes time to see the effects of these changes. For instant constipation relief, you can turn to home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. But, before diving in, remember, these constipation relievers are meant for adults. Kids need different constipation remedies.

Here are 7 ways to get rid of your constipation fast. 

1. Fruit juice

There are plenty of drinks that can help relieve constipation. But fruit juices tend to work the fastest because they contain three things that can relieve constipation:

1. Pectin: This is a soluble fiber that’s often added to fruit juices. Soluble fiber bulks up stool, making it easier to pass.

2. Sorbitol: This is sugar alcohol that pulls water into the bowel and softens the stool, making it easier to pass.

3. Polyphenols: These are natural plant chemicals that improve your overall gut motility.

For the best constipation relief, choose 100% undiluted fruit juice. Prune juice is the best option. But pear and apple juice can work, too.

Drinking 8 oz of juice each day should relieve constipation within a few days for most people. Some people see relief within hours of drinking their first glass. 

2. Mango and kiwi

Whole fruits can also help relieve constipation. Like fruit juices, whole fruits also contain pectin, sorbitol, and polyphenols — but in lower amounts. Unlike fruit juices, fruits also contain fiber, which can help keep your bowel movements regular once your constipation has passed.

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There’s evidence that kiwis and mangos are particularly good for constipation. In one study, kiwis and mangos worked as well as psyllium, an OTC constipation medication. People who ate kiwis had more frequent bowel movements than people taking psyllium. And people who ate mangos had softer stools than people who took psyllium. Consider adding both fruits to your diet, if you have both infrequent and hard stools.

How quickly can these fruits help? One study found that people who ate two kiwis each day noticed more normal stools within a week. 

3. Miralax

Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is an osmotic laxative that’s available without a prescription at retail pharmacies and grocery stores. Miralax is a tasteless, odorless powder. It comes in a bottle, and you use the cap to measure out the powder. Most adults should take 1 capful mixed with 8 oz of water each day.

Most people see results within 1 to 3 days of starting Miralax.

Miralax works by drawing water into the bowels, which bulks up stool. Bulkier stool is softer and easy to pass. Bulkier stools also trigger bowel contractions, so you can poop. 

Miralax is often the best option if your constipation is from medication use or related to pregnancy.

4. Magnesium

Magnesium is another OTC osmotic laxative that’s widely available in retail pharmacies and grocery stores. 

Magnesium comes in many forms, including liquids, tablets, and powders. Which option you choose can depend on cost and your taste preferences. How much magnesium you’ll need to take will depend on the form and type you choose.

Magnesium is best known for relieving constipation quickly. You may see results in as little as 30 minutes, though it can take up to 6 hours to have a bowel movement. 

You shouldn’t take magnesium for constipation if you have chronic kidney disease. It could lead to dangerous levels of magnesium in the blood. 

5. Colace

Colace (docusate sodium) is a stool softener or emollient laxative. These laxatives bring water and fat into the stool, making stool softer and easier to pass. 

Colace is available without a prescription. It comes in liquid or pill form. The right dose depends on which form you use. Colace will generally work in 12 to 72 hours.

Colace is ideal if you need to avoid straining during a bowel movement. You may need to avoid straining if you have hemorrhoids, a heart condition, or just had surgery. Colace is also considered safe for short-term use during pregnancy.

6. Senokot 

Senokot (senna or sennosides) is a stimulant laxative. This OTC medication works by causing the bowels to contract. This moves stool more quickly through the bowels so you can have a bowel movement. Senna products work quickly. Most people have a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours.

7. Fleet enemas

Fleet enemas (saline enemas) can provide almost instant relief from constipation. Fleet enemas are osmotic laxatives that contain salt or sodium. They draw water into the colon. This can soften hard stool. Also, the fluid from the enema can trigger movement inside your colon, which will stimulate a bowel movement. 

Some people are nervous to try enemas at home. But, with the right set up, enemas can be very easy to use, and you can see results within minutes. 

Enemas work well to relieve constipation. But they shouldn’t be used too often. You should only use an enema once every 24 hours, and not more than 2 days in a row. 

Some people shouldn’t use an enema without checking without their healthcare team first. This includes people who have a history of:

• Colon or colorectal cancer

• Previous colon surgery

• Rectal prolapse

• Inflammatory bowel disease

When should you seek care for constipation?

Many people get backed up from time to time. This is usually normal and not a cause for concern. You can manage occasional episodes of constipation at home with OTC and home remedies. 

But seek care if you’re experiencing constipation on a monthly basis (or even more frequently than monthly). Also seek care if your constipation is getting worse or if you’re no longer getting relief from OTC and home remedies. 

You should also seek care if you have constipation and:

• Fever

• Stomach pain

• Changes in your stool size and shape

• Diarrhea when you’re not constipated

• Weight loss

• Blood in your stool

• Unintentional weight loss

Your healthcare team can make sure your constipation isn’t related to an underlying medical condition. 

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Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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