Laxative abuse complicating bulimia: Medical and treatment implications

Literature concerning laxative abuse among young women with bulimia is reviewed. Laxative abuse appears to be much more common among females with bulimia than among females who do not meet criteria for bulimia. Patients with bulimia most commonly abuse stimulant-type laxatives. The abuse of laxatives is associated with potentially serious sequellae involving the gastrointestinal tract as well as generalized systemic effects. The different types of laxatives, their mechanisms of action, and the medical complications of laxative abuse are reviewed. Recommendations regarding laxative withdrawal are offered.