The best buys at your local pharmacy

AILMENT: CONSTIPATION
DRUGS AGAROL AND DUPHALAC
LOWDOWN Agarol is a liquid paraffin. It coats the outside of that lodged poo with paraffin oil, making it slippery and harder for your body to hold on to. Yeah, nice imagery, we know. Duphalac then brings liquid into the bowel, which softens the poo. Take these two together before bed to cut through the hard-core cases.
ALTERNATIVE Try Actilax instead of Duphalac.
FINE PRINT “Normal bowel habits vary from person to person,” says Bell. So don’t panic, if it’s not normal for you to go every day, you’re not constipated. Only reach for these meds when you start to feel, er, uncomfortable.
SEE A DOCTOR If you’ve been backed up for four or five days straight.

Photo by Women's Health Aug 2, 2011