ATC Group: A06AB Contact laxatives

The World Health Organization's ATC classification organizes medical drugs based on therapeutic properties, chemical composition, and anatomy. It helps make essential medicines readily available globally and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Position of A06AB in the ATC hierarchy

Level Code Title
1 A Alimentary tract and metabolism
2 A06 Laxatives
3 A06A Laxatives
4 A06AB Contact laxatives

Group A06AB contents

Code Title
A06AB01 Oxyphenisatine
A06AB02 Bisacodyl
A06AB03 Dantron
A06AB04 Phenolphthalein
A06AB05 Castor oil
A06AB06 Senna glycosides
A06AB07 Cascara
A06AB08 Sodium picosulfate
A06AB09 Bisoxatin
A06AB20 Contact laxatives in combination
A06AB30 Contact laxatives in combination with belladonna alkaloids
A06AB52 Bisacodyl, combinations
A06AB53 Dantron, combinations
A06AB56 Senna glycosides, combinations
A06AB57 Cascara, combinations
A06AB58 Sodium picosulfate, combinations

Active ingredients in A06AB

Active Ingredient Description
Bisacodyl

Bisacodyl is a locally acting laxative from the diphenylmethane derivatives group having a dual action. As a contact laxative, for which also antiresorptive hydragogue effects have been described, bisacodyl stimulates after hydrolysis in the large intestine, the mucosa of both the large intestine and of the rectum. Stimulation of the mucosa of the large intestine results in colonic peristalsis with promotion of accumulation of water, and consequently electrolytes, in the colonic lumen. This results in a stimulation of defecation, reduction of transit time and softening of the stool. Stimulation of the rectum causes increased motility and a feeling of rectal fullness. The rectal effect may help to restore the “call to stool” although its clinical relevance remains to be established.

Castor oil

Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of the castor bean, Ricinus communis. Castor oil is used medicinally as a laxative and as an excipient.

Danthron

Danthron, a natural product, was originally extracted from the roots and rhizome of Polygonaceae plant. Danthron is a reddish, synthetic anthraquinone derivative. Danthron has been widely used as a laxative.

Phenolphthalein
Sennosides

The sugar moiety of the sennosides is removed by bacteria in the large intestine releasing the active anthrone fraction. This stimulates peristalsis via the submucosal and myenteric nerve plexuses.

Sodium picosulfate

Sodium picosulfate is a locally acting laxative from the triarylmethane group, which after bacterial cleavage in the colon, has a dual-action with stimulation of the mucosa of both the large intestine and of the rectum.

Related product monographs

Title Information Source Document Type  
DULCOLAX Gastro-resistant tablets Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
DULCOLAX PICO Oral solution Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
LAX-TAB Gastro-resistant tablet Υπουργείο Υγείας (CY) MPI, EU: SmPC
PICOLAX Powder for oral solution Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
SENOKOT Syrup Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC