purgative

cathartic

 [kah-thahr´tik]

1. causing emptying of the bowels.

2. an agent that so acts; called also evacuant and purgative.

3. producing emotional catharsis.

bulk cathartic one stimulating bowel evacuation by increasing fecal volume.

lubricant cathartic one that acts by softening the feces and reducing friction between them and the intestinal wall.

saline cathartic one that increases fluidity of intestinal contents by retention of water by osmotic forces, and indirectly increases motor activity.

stimulant cathartic one that directly increases motor activity of the intestinal tract.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

pur·ga·tive

(pŭr'gă-tiv),

An agent used for purging the bowels.
See also: cathartic (2).

[L. purgativus, purging]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

purgative

(pûr′gə-tĭv)

adj.

Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels.

n.

A purgative agent or medicine; a cathartic.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

laxative

Herbal medicine
A herb used to purge the bowels.

Examples
Cascara (Cascara sagrada), castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), flax seed (Linum usitatissimum), liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), olive oil (Olea europaea), psyllium (Plantago psyllium), rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) and senna (Cassia acutifolia).

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

pur·ga·tive

(pŭr'gă-tiv)

An agent used for purging the bowels.
See also: cathartic (2)

[L. purgativus, purging]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

purgative

A strong laxative drug.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

pur·ga·tive

(pŭr'gă-tiv)

An agent used for purging the bowels.

[L. purgativus, purging]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012