Do Laxatives Make You Lose Weight

You’ve heard the buzz around GLP-1 weight loss medications lately, but how about the “budget Ozempic” trend? 

Ozempic® (semaglutide), a type 2 diabetes drug, is one of the more well-known medications being used off-label to help people drop pounds. Unfortunately, it’s also expensive and rarely covered by insurance for people without type 2 diabetes. 

As a result, some people have turned to other methods, like taking laxatives, to lose weight. 

However, laxatives are not a safe way to lose weight, and overusing them — especially for reasons unrelated to their actual purpose — can be downright dangerous.

If you’ve ever wandered the gut health aisle at the pharmacy, you’ve probably come across laxatives. Some common options include Dulcolax, Miralax, Colace, or Metamucil.

These substances are designed to help your bowels move, AKA make you poop. They work by either stimulating your intestines or softening your stool so it’s easier to pass. 

You can find laxatives over-the-counter or by prescription, depending on the form, purpose, and dose. They may come as liquids, pills, suppositories (which are manually inserted into you-know-where), and fiber supplements. 

While they can provide short-term relief from constipation, laxatives are in no way a safe or effective long-term solution to difficulty passing stool — let alone for losing weight. 

Why Laxatives Don’t Work for Weight Loss

Do laxatives help you lose weight? Not safely or effectively, no.

As laxatives help clean out your bowels, some people (mistakenly) believe they can also support weight loss by removing food and calories from your body before they’re absorbed. 

There’s no evidence to support this idea. Laxatives pull water from your intestines. This means they can promote the loss of water weight. While this may create the illusion of weight loss, it’s very temporary. 

You will quickly regain the weight when you return to a proper hydration level and normal eating. 

Like any other medication or supplement, laxatives come with their share of commonly reported side effects, even when used as directed. Some of these can include: 

• Diarrhea: Laxatives can lead to frequent, loose bowel movements.

• Bloating and cramps: Many laxatives work by stimulating your intestinal muscles. This may cause cramping, gas, bloating, and overall abdominal discomfort.

• Fluid retention: Laxative abuse (using them too much or incorrectly) can lead to edema, or swelling caused by too much fluid retention in the body. 

• Nausea and vomiting: Because of how laxatives act on the digestive system, some people experience nausea or vomiting. 

• Rectal irritation: Laxatives promote more frequent stools, which can irritate your rectum and anus. 

In addition to the more “expected” side effects, it’s important to be aware of the potential signs of laxative overuse. These are some indications that your body is telling you it’s not happy or that your laxative use has reached an unhealthy level: 

• Ongoing diarrhea

• Muscle cramps

• Excessive thirst

• Dry mouth

• Dark urine

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Fatigue 

• Irregular heartbeat

• Unintentional fluctuations in your weight 

• Chronic constipation or abdominal pain

• Preoccupation with your weight, food intake, or body image

Using laxatives excessively and inappropriately is dangerous, especially in terms of the physical and mental health effects. 

Overusing laxatives increases your likelihood of experiencing harmful side effects, including the following.

Physical Dependence 

Regularly using laxatives can actually make your body start to rely on them to have bowel movements (and struggle to produce them if you’re not using laxatives). Over time, this can weaken your digestive tract in a way that sets you up to be chronically constipated.

Psychological Dependence 

In addition to physical dependence, prolonged use or abuse can also lead to psychological dependence. In other words, you might start to feel mentally unable to use the bathroom without the use of laxatives. 

This can also play a role in the development of dangerous eating disorders like bulimia nervosa or anorexia. In fact, some researchers say the use of diet pills or laxatives for weight loss may be a warning sign for providers to screen for the presence or risk of an eating disorder.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolytes (like potassium, sodium, and magnesium) are minerals necessary for proper muscle function, heart rhythm, and overall wellness. Laxatives promote fluid loss, which can throw your electrolytes off balance. This can lead to weakened muscles, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat, even the threat of cardiac arrest (when your heart stops beating altogether) in more severe cases. 

Dehydration

The increased fluid loss from using laxatives can result in symptoms of dehydration like dry skin, thirst, and dizziness. Left untreated, this can also cause kidney or liver damage or organ failure.

Damage to Your Digestive System

Long-term laxative use can irritate and damage the lining of your gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation, ulcers, and hemorrhoids. In addition to being physically irritating, this can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients properly, putting you at risk for malnutrition over time.

Bowel Irregularity

Prolonged laxative use can lead to something called “lazy bowel syndrome,” in which the natural muscle contractions of your colon — the last part of your digestive system — are disrupted. The result? Bloating, abdominal pain, and severe constipation. 

Potentially Increased Risk of Colon Cancer 

While more research is needed, some studies suggest that long-term use of laxatives for weight loss or otherwise (especially non-fiber-based ones) may increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. 

Embarking on a weight loss journey can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a significant amount of weight to lose.

It can be tempting to turn to what seems like a fast-track way to drop excess pounds, particularly with the persuasiveness of TikTok influencers and trending “budget Ozempic” anecdotes. 

However, the side effects and potential danger of laxative misuse for this purpose far outweigh the perceived benefits of any changes on the scale (which are only caused by temporary fluid losses, anyway). 

Instead, we urge you to stick to safer, more effective approaches to weight loss that promote more sustainable results.

Focus on Nutrition 

Good nutrition is non-negotiable for overall wellness, including achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s literally the fuel you’re putting into your body that drives everyday functions and influences long-term health outcomes. 

In addition to achieving a 500-750 calorie deficit, it’s essential to prioritize nutritional quality. Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that support your overall well-being. 

A foundation of whole plant foods is associated with a healthier weight and a reduced risk for obesity and related conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. 

On the flip side, you’ll want to focus on minimizing how much of your diet is taken up by ultra-processed foods (like potato chips, sugary sodas, pastries, and hot dogs). These foods tend to be high in calories and low in any beneficial nutrients. 

Increase Your Daily Activity

Experts recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise every week to support general wellness and disease prevention. This goal increases to 225 to 420 minutes per week for ongoing weight loss. 

Examples include: 

• Swimming laps at the local rec center

• Going trail running or hiking

• Dropping into a group fitness class

• Riding your bike or rollerblading around town

• Practicing martial arts or yoga 

Either way, it’s also important to include strength or resistance training at least twice per week. This includes things like lifting weights, using resistance bands, or doing bodyweight exercises that target all of the major muscle groups. 

Stay Hydrated

Being adequately hydrated is crucial for your everyday wellness, given that your body is mostly made up of water. Fluid is lost through sweating, using the bathroom, and other everyday bodily functions. It needs to be replenished accordingly. 

In addition to supporting your general health, hydration can also be a key player in achieving your weight loss goals. 

Sipping on water throughout the day can help prevent misreading thirst for hunger. Drinking water before and during meals can also help curb your appetite and prevent overeating. 

Consider Actual Weight Loss Medications

Sometimes, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle aren’t enough to help you achieve long-term weight loss. In these cases, some people find it helpful to add a weight loss medication to their routine, like:

• GLP-1 agonists: Medications like semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic®) work by suppressing appetite and controlling cravings, which helps you eat a lower-calorie diet. 

• Metformin: Although it was made for type 2 diabetes management, metformin may also support weight loss by improving insulin sensitivity and promoting satiety.

• Topiramate: An anti-seizure medication, topiramate also helps promote weight loss by suppressing appetite, boosting metabolism, and potentially altering taste perception.

• Contrave®: A combination of an antidepressant (bupropion) and a medication used to treat alcohol and opioid dependence (naltrexone) that work together to target your brain’s reward centers and promote weight loss. 

Not everyone is a good candidate for weight loss medications. To explore the options and see if they’re appropriate for you, get in touch with one of our licensed healthcare professionals by taking our free online assessment. 

Laxatives have one purpose: to promote bowel movements. They are simply not a good weight loss aid. 

• Relying on laxatives is dangerous. If you’re just looking for help clearing your plumbing after a bout of constipation, a laxative may be helpful. But when overused, and used for the wrong reasons, laxatives can have serious consequences for your health. 

• Long-term weight management requires a holistic approach. Sustainable weight loss isn’t achieved by a quick fix. A combination of lifestyle changes related to your nutrition, sleep, hydration, and physical activity is the best way to support weight goals and overall well-being.

• Ask for help when you need it. When going it alone isn’t working, speak with a healthcare provider for other options. Hers licensed healthcare providers are readily available to help you design a personalized plan to achieve your goals.