Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Sodium sulfate is an osmotic laxative and has been used in both adults and children to manage constipation. Its mechanism is based on drawing water into the intestinal lumen, thereby softening stools and promoting peristalsis. In pediatric care, sodium sulfate is less commonly used than other osmotic agents like polyethylene glycol (PEG), lactulose, or magnesium hydroxide, but it has a history of clinical use, particularly in the form of oral sodium sulfate solutions for bowel preparation before procedures.

Several clinical studies support the efficacy of sodium sulfate-based preparations (often in combination with other sulfates, such as magnesium and potassium sulfate) in promoting effective bowel evacuation. For example, oral sulfate solutions are FDA-approved for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy, including in adolescents over the age of 12. However, direct studies on sodium sulfate monotherapy for chronic constipation in children are limited, and it is not typically a first-line therapy in pediatric constipation guidelines. Most guidelines recommend other agents with a more robust pediatric safety and efficacy profile. Potential side effects include electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and gastrointestinal discomfort, necessitating careful medical supervision.

In summary, there is scientific support for sodium sulfate’s osmotic laxative effect and its use in bowel cleansing, but evidence for routine use in treating chronic constipation in children is modest compared to other agents. Its use is generally reserved for specific indications rather than for everyday management of constipation in pediatric patients.

More about Sodium Sulfate
More about Constipation (children)

Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)

2'-Fucosyllactose
aloe vera
apple
apricot
bacillus coagulans
bamboo
basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blackberry
blueberry
bасора
carrot
chamomile
chicory
cinnamon
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
grape
green banana
guar gum
cellulose
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
mannitol
moringa
nettle
orange
pear
phellodendron amurense
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
raspberry
rhizome
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
tomato
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
seaweed
watermelon
squawvine
cascara sagrada
tangerine
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
blackboard tree
root tuber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
polyphenols
senna
peach
indigo leaves
soursop
Agar
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Amomum
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Bitter Grass
Bael
Butternut
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Coconut
Curry leaf
Cascaroside
Cactus
Cynomorium
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cyclanthera pedata
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthrone
Date
Eclipta
Fig
Fiber
Galangal
Phosphate Salt
Rhubarb
Wheat
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by Sodium Sulfate

Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)

Products containing Sodium Sulfate

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.