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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Constipation When Trying To Quit Smoking?

Hi, I am 57 yrs. old and I am trying to wean myself off of cigarettes. Because in the past of quitting I become very constapated. Now I wear the patch after smoking 6 to 8 cig. in the morning. My doctor put me on amtiza and that only worked for a month. Over a yr ago when I quit the same thing happened constapation and I had the colonoscopy done and it was fine. I would think that by wearing the patch and smoking in the morn. that I could go. But this is very serious for me. Do you have any suggestions. My doctor said that the nicotine was my stimulant. Thanks, Mary
Mon, 27 Oct 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Nicotine is a direct stimulant of the gut. The gut gets used to all the stimulation, then when it no longer gets the stimulation, it shuts down. This is pretty common. The symptoms last for days to a couple weeks, then things get re-regulated. A new smoker would have the opposite effects (loose stools).
Oh, right, agree with doc.
Lactulose is a good bulk laxative. You might find caffeine is a stimulant also.
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman's  Response
This should be more common than what I've seen. Nicotine increases gut activity and stopping it should cause a rebound constipation, but generally does Not. You'd think that nicotine replacement would change it. Switching to a more gut associated nicotine (GUM, or lozenge) is likely to change .. something. This is, however, a temporary effect and would be expected to sort itself out in 5-10 days.
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What Causes Constipation When Trying To Quit Smoking?

Nicotine is a direct stimulant of the gut. The gut gets used to all the stimulation, then when it no longer gets the stimulation, it shuts down. This is pretty common. The symptoms last for days to a couple weeks, then things get re-regulated. A new smoker would have the opposite effects (loose stools). Oh, right, agree with doc. Lactulose is a good bulk laxative. You might find caffeine is a stimulant also.