Laxative Abuse Cessation Leading to Severe Edema.

Division

South Atlantic

Hospital

Grand Strand Medical Center

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

6-1-2021

Keywords

adverse drug reaction, diuretic therapy, edema, laxative abuse, simulant laxative

Disciplines

Internal Medicine

Abstract

Stimulant laxatives are a common class of laxatives that is abused by patients with eating disorders. We present a case of a 30-year-old female who presented with dyspnea, peripheral edema and weight gain who had been chronically using laxatives. Her symptoms were consistent with rebound edema caused by sodium and free water shifts with abrupt cessation of excessive stimulant laxative use. This case highlights the use of furosemide as the mainstay treatment for rebound edema and weight gain.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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