By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Time to Talk About Constipation
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Time to Talk About Constipation
Public Health

Time to Talk About Constipation

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

The New York Times advertising column (In a Forthright Campaign, More Unmentionables Mentioned) highlights a new campaign by Purdue Pharma’s Senokot laxative that asks, “Does your prescription medication give you the burden of constipation?” As the headline suggests, the Times’ focus is on the relaxing of taboos in advertising, but I think they’ve missed a more significant point.

The New York Times advertising column (In a Forthright Campaign, More Unmentionables Mentioned) highlights a new campaign by Purdue Pharma’s Senokot laxative that asks, “Does your prescription medication give you the burden of constipation?” As the headline suggests, the Times’ focus is on the relaxing of taboos in advertising, but I think they’ve missed a more significant point.

Sure, advertisers used to avoid mentioning bodily functions, only hinting discreetly at them when promoting tampons, toilet paper and the like. But after many years of ads for Viagra and its “ED” competitors, and the mainstreaming of pornography and rap, is it really a shock that a company uses the term constipation?

The bigger story is that the market is now ready for a more grownup conversation about drug side effects. “Minor” side effects such as constipation are a widespread consequence of drug therapy, yet they can have a serious impact on patients’ quality of life. Often doctors don’t realize how serious such side effects can be, and patients are either embarrassed to bring up the topic or worried their doctor won’t take them seriously. But it turns out patients will discuss the topic with other patients on sites such as PatientsLikeMe.

More Read

Why People Suffering from Chronic Pain Should Move to States that Legalized CBD
New CMS Chief Confirmed by Senate
Ebola: Are We Relying on EHR to Tell the Story?
Integrated Health System Adoption: How to Start a Movement
New Weight Loss Drugs Come to Market as AMA Recognizes Obesity as Disease

Drug ads are required to mention side effects, but the information is generally conveyed in a compliance-oriented style that does not contribute to consumer understanding. I wouldn’t expect anything more from the drug ads, but there is an opening for products such as laxatives that can provide relief.

As a final point it should be noted that Purdue Products has plenty of experience with this side effect. The company’s cash cow, oxycontin is a leading cause of the very constipation that Senokot is designed to relieve!

 

 

 


TAGGED:constipationpharmaceuticals
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries: What Families Need to Know
Policy & Law
October 10, 2025
Remote Monitoring touchpoints
Remote Monitoring Touchpoints Patients Will Actually Follow
Technology
October 9, 2025
dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025

You Might also Like

social media healthcare
BusinesseHealthPublic HealthSocial MediaTechnology

FDA’s Dr. Katz Talks Social Media and Clinical Trials

March 27, 2013

Doctors as a Healthcare Tool

November 17, 2011
BusinessGlobal HealthcareNewsPublic Health

MedShare – Recycling Medical Supplies for the Good of the World

March 7, 2012

Five Accelerants to the Adoption of Connected Health

February 2, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?