How to Get Rid of Constipation Fast

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a stimulant laxative and a glycerin suppository can relieve constipation, with a suppository generally working fastest.

The right choice depends on how quickly you need relief, your symptoms and whether a product is safe for you. Water and other best drinks for constipation may help if you are dehydrated, but they are not guaranteed to produce a quick bowel movement.

Do not try a laxative if you have severe abdominal pain, vomiting or a swollen belly and cannot pass gas. Seek urgent medical care instead.

7 home remedies for constipation

The first three options act more directly than the lifestyle measures that follow. Times are approximate and vary by product and person; check the package for the specific product you use.

We found no studies relevant to this topic. The evidence notes below distinguish established constipation treatments from measures whose immediate benefit is less certain.

1. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

PEG is an osmotic laxative: it draws water into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. It is an established option for occasional constipation, though it is not the quickest choice if you need relief within hours.

Choose an over-the-counter PEG 3350 laxative and follow the package directions for measuring and mixing it. Drink the amount of liquid directed on the label. Do not take extra because it has not worked immediately; allow time for the product to act.

Bloating, nausea or loose stools can occur. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before using it if you are unsure whether it is suitable, and seek advice if constipation persists despite following the directions. We found no studies that quantify its benefit.

2. Oral stimulant laxatives

Stimulant laxatives, such as senna and bisacodyl, encourage the bowel muscles to move stool along. They are established short-term treatments for occasional constipation and generally work faster than oral PEG, although they can cause cramping or diarrhea.

Follow the directions on the specific product. An oral stimulant taken at bedtime may work by the next morning, but the timing is not guaranteed. Stay near a toilet once you expect it to take effect, and do not exceed the label directions in an attempt to speed it up.

Ask a clinician before using a stimulant laxative repeatedly or for longer than the label recommends. The studies we found do not compare its effectiveness directly with PEG.

3. Glycerin suppository

A glycerin suppository is inserted into the rectum, where it helps draw water into the stool and stimulate a bowel movement. It is a common short-term option when relatively quick relief is needed. Its effect can vary, and it may cause rectal irritation.

Use a product intended for your age and follow the package instructions for insertion. Plan to stay near a toilet afterward. Do not swallow a suppository, and do not use one if you have rectal bleeding, severe anal pain or have been told to avoid rectal medicines without first getting medical advice.

A suppository may not resolve a significant stool blockage. If you feel stool is stuck and cannot pass it, contact a clinician rather than repeatedly trying products. We found no comparative studies.

4. Add fiber gradually

Fiber can make stool bulkier and help it move through the bowel. Foods such as oats, beans, fruit and vegetables, or a fiber supplement such as psyllium, may help some people with constipation over time. Fiber is not a reliable way to get relief within hours.

Increase fiber gradually and drink adequate fluids with it; a sudden increase can cause gas or bloating. Follow the label if you use a fiber supplement, including its liquid instructions. If fiber makes discomfort worse or you suspect stool is blocked, get medical advice rather than adding more.

Fiber is an established approach for some types of constipation, but research has not established a fast effect.

5. Drink enough fluid

Fluid helps keep stool from becoming dry, especially if you are dehydrated. Have water regularly and drink when thirsty, unless a clinician has told you to limit fluids. A warm drink may fit comfortably into your routine, but it should not be expected to work like a laxative.

Drinking large amounts beyond your usual needs is not a dependable shortcut. Extra fluid alone may not help much if you are already well hydrated, and it will not remove a blockage. If you have kidney or heart disease or a prescribed fluid limit, ask your clinician how much is appropriate for you.

Hydration supports normal bowel function; evidence for extra water as a rapid constipation remedy is uncertain.

6. Try gentle movement

Physical activity can encourage normal bowel movement and may help some people who are constipated. If you feel well enough, take a gentle walk or move around in a way that is comfortable for you.

You do not need an intense workout. Stop and seek medical advice if movement brings on significant pain or you feel unwell. Exercise is not a substitute for assessment when you have warning signs, and it should not be expected to clear a blockage.

Movement is a reasonable supportive measure, but its ability to provide fast relief is uncertain. We found no studies showing how quickly it works.

7. Give yourself time on the toilet

Responding to the urge to pass stool can make a bowel movement easier than repeatedly putting it off. Try sitting on the toilet after a meal, when the bowel may be more active. Place your feet on a low stool if that helps you sit comfortably, with your knees raised.

Relax and avoid prolonged or forceful straining. If nothing happens, get up and try again later rather than forcing it. This routine may help you take advantage of a natural urge, but it will not reliably produce an immediate bowel movement.

Research has not established how effective positioning or timing is for fast relief.

When should you see a doctor about constipation?

Get urgent medical care for severe or persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, a markedly swollen abdomen with inability to pass gas, significant rectal bleeding, or black, tarry stools. These symptoms need assessment rather than more home remedies.

Contact a clinician promptly if you have rectal bleeding, fever, unexplained weight loss, a new and persistent change in bowel habits, or constipation that does not improve with appropriate self-care. Also seek advice if you think hard stool is stuck or you need laxatives repeatedly. A clinician can check for a blockage or another cause without you having to guess what is wrong.

Ask a clinician or pharmacist before choosing a laxative if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney or heart disease, or are giving it to a child. Medicines including opioids, iron and some other prescriptions can contribute to constipation; do not stop or change a prescribed medicine without medical advice. Avoid combining laxatives unless a clinician or pharmacist advises it.