Growth In The Constipation Remedy Market
Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Research reports from industry and university researchers continue to indicate that constipation affects a broad swathe of the population. The numbers suggest that some 10% of the population has experienced constipation within the last six months and some smaller fraction experience it on a chronic basis. Therefore the demand for constipation treatments remain large but also the industry has responded with a plethora of remedy products.
Many entrepreneurs interested in entering the market for supplying constipation treatments may be discouraged by what may seem to be a mature, stable and saturated market. The real situation however, is both more hopeful and bleak simultaneously. The reason is that there are few if any constipation remedies that are effective for everyone all the time. The market is split into various treatments of varying efficacy, with little diagnostics to distinguish which patients benefit from which treatments.
Currently, the treatment market can be divided into 4 types. There are supplemental agents, which don't require FDA approval. There are herbal agents, which usually fall outside FDA jurisdiction but has occasionally experienced periods of regulation. There are general laxative agents that are either over-the-counter or by prescription. There are the new "targeted therapies" that attempt to address molecular and hormonal causes of constipation.
Supplemental agents encompass brand names like Metamucil which are derived from natural sources of high fiber usually. An example of a natural source are psyllium husks, which are the seed husks of the plantago plant. They are ground into powdered form and mixed with liquids for a high fiber drink. Supplemental agents are usually safe but still need to be taken with plenty of water for the right bulk effect.
By and large, herbal supplements are synonymous with senna, which are rich in sennosides, a class of compounds that stimulates the intestine. The constipation treatment market used to be much more crowded with other herbal supplements like aloe and cascara, but the FDA has since then cracked down on new entrants to the field because of safety concerns. Some manufacturers still produce aloe-based herbal supplements in concordance with the law.
Over-the-counter laxative agents make up the largest proportion of constipation treatments. Laxative agents are diverse, operating through different physiological labels such as "stimulant", "lubricant" or "bulk". The stimulant laxatives actually cause greater muscle movement in the large intestine that helps push food along. The lubricant laxative reduce water uptake in the gut which helps keep the food retain fluid and eases its movement.
The last class of medications is the one to which Amitiza belongs, new molecular therapies that are designed specifically for constipation. Amitiza for example has been approved for both IBS-C and chronic constipation. It acts by binding to a cellular molecule known as a ClC2 channel. There are a number of similar therapies being developed. Some like Amitiza promise to open up new vistas by treating constipation in entirely different ways from traditional medications.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
- Credit Cards A big selection of Cards in all flavors: Bad Credit Cards, Secured Cards, Prepaid Cards, Canada Cards, Low Interest Cards -
Word Count: 494
Reduce Your Debts Without Bankruptcy. See How Much You Can Save. Free Debt Analysis
