Comparing the Efficacy of Two Drugs Senalin and Bisacodyl in Treatment of Constipation in Intensive Care Units' Patients.

Background: Constipation is an intestinal syndrome that can be created alone or in the context of another disease in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Given the role of sennosides in increasing the transfer rate of materials from the large intestine, we aimed to compare the effect of senalin with bisacodyl on the treatment of constipation in patients admitted to ICUs.

Materials and Methods: In this randomized, double-blind study, 70 patients admitted to the ICU were divided into two groups. The senalin recipient group received senalin with a dose of 500 mg daily for 3 days. The bisacodyl recipient group received bisacodyl with a dose of 10 mg daily for 3 days.

Results: The mean of defecation frequency during the 2nd day of treatment of constipation was significantly higher in the group receiving bisacodyl than in the senalin group ( P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of fecal consistency in any of the study days ( P < 0.05). The prevalence of complications in the 3rd day of treatment was significantly higher in bisacodyl group than in the senalin group ( P = 0.04).

Conclusion: Given the lack of difference in the efficacy of two drugs, fecal consistency, daily defecation frequency and fewer complications of senalin compared to bisacodyl, it s eems that this drug can be used as an appropriate treatment for constipation in patients admitted to ICUs.