Editing Laxative (section)

===Stimulant agents===
Stimulant laxatives are substances that act on the intestinal [[mucosa]] or [[nerve plexus]], altering water and [[electrolyte]] secretion.<ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602359 Laxative (Oral Route)] from [[Mayo clinic]]. Last updated: Nov. 1, 2012</ref> They also stimulate peristaltic action and can be dangerous under certain circumstances.<ref name=pmid9649012>{{cite journal |vauthors=Joo JS, Ehrenpreis ED, Gonzalez L, Kaye M, Breno S, Wexner SD, Zaitman D, Secrest K | title = Alterations in colonic anatomy induced by chronic stimulant laxatives: the cathartic colon revisited | journal = J Clin Gastroenterol | volume = 26 | issue = 4 | pages = 283–6 | year = 1998 | pmid = 9649012 | doi = 10.1097/00004836-199806000-00014 }}</ref>
[[File:Cassia senna Ypey80-cropped.jpg|thumb|Senna plant]]
'''Properties'''
* Site of action: colon
* Onset of action: 6–10 hours
* Examples: [[senna glycoside|senna]], [[bisacodyl]]<ref name=Handbook/>

Prolonged use of stimulant laxatives can create drug dependence by damaging the colon's [[Haustrum (anatomy)|haustral folds]], making users less able to move feces through their colon on their own. A study of patients with chronic constipation found that 28% of chronic stimulant laxative users lost haustral folds over the course of one year, while none of the control group did.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Joo |first1=Jae Sik |last2=Ehrenpreis |first2=Eli D. |last3=Gonzalez |first3=Leopoldo |last4=Kaye |first4=Mark |last5=Breno |first5=Susan |last6=Wexner |first6=Steven D. |last7=Zaitman |first7=Daniel |last8=Secrest |first8=K. |title=Alterations in Colonic Anatomy Induced by Chronic Stimulant Laxatives: The Cathartic Colon Revisited |journal=Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology |date=June 1998 |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=283–286 |doi=10.1097/00004836-199806000-00014 |pmid=9649012 }}</ref>