AIM:To study the efficacy and safety of pharmacolo-gical treatment of constipation in geriatrics.METHODS:Pub Med,MEDLINE,google scholar,and Ovid were searched to identify human studies performed on the use of laxatives in elderly with constipation,which were conducted between January1990 and January 2013 using the specified keywords.Controlled studies that enrolled geriatric patients with a diagnosis of constipation and addressed the efficacy and/or the safety of pharmacological treatments were included.Studies were excluded from this review if they were non-controlled trials,case series,or case reports.RESULTS:Out of twenty three studies we initially retrieved in our search,only nine studies met the eligibility criteria of being controlled trials within geriatrics.The laxatives examined in the nine studies were senna,lactulose,sorbital,polyethylene glycol(PEG),lubiprostone,linaclotide,and prucalopride.In those studies,senna combinations had a higher efficacy than sorbitol or lactulose as well as,a very good adverse effect profile.PEG was also shown to be safe and effective in geriatric population.Furthermore,it has been shown that PEG is as safe in geriatrics as in general population.New agents like lubiprostone and prucalopride show promising results but the data about these agents in geriatrics are still limited which warrant further investigation.CONCLUSION:Senna combinations and PEG appear to have a more favorable profile over the other traditionally used laxatives in elderly patients with constipation. AIM: To study the efficacy and safety of pharmacolo-gical treatment of constipation in geriatrics. METHODS: Pub Med, MEDLINE, google scholar, and Ovid were searched to identify human studies performed on the use of laxatives in elderly with constipation, which were between January 1990 and January 2013 using the specified keywords. Controlled studies that enrolled geriatric patients with a diagnosis of constipation and addressed the efficacy and / or the safety of pharmacological duties were included. Studes were excluded from this review if they were non-controlled trials, case series, or case reports.RESULTS: Out of twenty three studies we initially retrieved in our search, only nine studies the the eligibility criteria of being controlled trials within geriatrics. laxatives examined in the nine studies were senna, lactulose, sorbital, polyethylene glycol (PEG), lubiprostone, linaclotide, and prucalopride. in those studies, senna combinations had a higher efficacy than sorbitol or lactulose as well as, a very good adverse effect profile. PEG was also shown as be safe and effective in geriatric population. Still further, it has been shown that PEG is as safe in geriatrics as in general population. New agents like lubiprostone and prucalopride were promising results but the data about these agents in geriatrics are still limited which warrant further investigation.CONCLUSION: Senna combinations and PEG appear to have a more favorable profile over the other traditionally used laxatives in elderly patients with constipation.