My diabetic father complaints of recurrent constipation even after medication. Why?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father is 56 years old. He has had diabetes for the last ten years and high BP for the last six years. Last year, he had undergone an angioplasty operation with two stents put in two arteries. After the initial medicines, now he has been put on Atorva 40 mg once a day, Embeta 50 mg in the morning, Ziglim-M2 in the morning and evening, and Clopivas 75 mg in the evening. Earlier, Brilinta 90 mg was given, but we asked the doctor to change it as it is costly.

He has been complaining of constipation for two months now, for which he takes any medicines to ease it, but then again, the constipation comes on and off. This complaint has been raised since his operation. There is no prior history of constipation. Can you kindly suggest something for the same? Also, since the last three weeks, his sugar levels have risen to 153 mg/dL, despite the medicines he is taking.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read the history and the prescription of your father. With diabetes, hypertension, and heart problems, taking many medications and a restricted diet may cause constipation. He should eat more green leafy vegetables. He can also safely take Lactulose syrup every night, 10 ml for his symptoms. It has no side effects and can be used by him. It is available in various brands like Enulose, Generlac, and Kristalose. If these brands are not available, just buy him whichever brand is available in the nearby pharmacy. The drug name is Lactulose.

Regarding his sugar levels, you have not mentioned whether it is fasting or after food. If the blood sugar is taken after breakfast or randomly, then the value is almost normal. No new medications need to be added. But if it were the fasting sugar value, then it is almost 40 mg too much. Taking the tablet Glucophage 500 mg after lunch will reduce the levels to normal. Kindly give him this tablet along with others for 15 days, and please do fasting and post-prandial (one and a half hours after breakfast).

I hope this helps.

Thank you.