UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour - Misuse of Laxatives

UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour

Misuse of Laxatives

The UK's leading eating disorder charity has called for the sale of laxatives to children to be more strictly regulated, the BBC have reported.

Beat estimates say that 80% of those affected by eating disorders in the UK have misused laxatives in order to lose weight.

It says supermarkets have done nothing to restrict sales of the medicine to young people.

UK supermarkets say their sale of laxatives complies with regulation set by the medicines regulator, the MHRA.

Beat says eating disorders most commonly develop during adolescence.

Teens are turning to stimulant laxatives believing they can quickly lose weight, with some children known to be taking dozens of laxative pills on a daily basis, they say.

Medical professionals warn that laxative abuse can cause diarrhoea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to kidney failure.

Susan Ringwood Chief executive of Beat

It can also damage the liver and potentially damage the heart leading to heart failure and death.

Beat wants supermarkets and retailers to reduce the ease with which young people can buy laxatives in large quantities.

The charity is calling for a minimum purchase age of 16, the maximum pack size reduced to ten tablets, sales restricted to pharmacies and a warning label on packets that states "this is not a weight loss product".

The Dulcolax and Senokot tablets currently have age restrictions on the packets.

Dulcolax states that the dosage instructions are for adults and children over 10, and children under 10 should consult a doctor before taking them.

The Senokot packet advises the dosage instructions are for adults and children over twelve, and that children 6 years and older should consult a doctor before taking them. They do not recommend the drug for children under 6.

Both and Dulcolax and Senokot say that they treat the issue of eating disorders very seriously and say they fully comply with all the legal requirements made by MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).

"We've seen a 30% increase in calls to our help lines over the last year where people have mentioned overusing laxatives in unhealthy way," Susan Ringwood, chief executive of Beat, told the BBC Watchdog programme 

"And that does include a significant number of young people as well," she added.

Sainsbury's and Boots added that they are retraining their staff to better identify signs of laxative misuse.

Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour

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