QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Salbutamol does not commonly cause constipation.
50396
c
Salbutamol 200micrograms INH QDS
QuestionChoice
Hydroxychloroquine does not commonly cause constipation.
50397
d
Hydroxychloroquine 200mg PO OD
QuestionChoice
Ferrous sulfate commonly causes constipation. The mechanism by which iron supplementation causes constipation is unclear. It is thought to either be through interactions with the gut flora or through facilitating the movement of water from the lower GI system via an osmotic gradient which in turn causes stool hardening and constipation.
50394
a
Ferrous sulfate 200mg PO BD
QuestionChoice
Cetirizine is not known to cause constipation.
50395
b
Cetirizine 10mg PO OD
QuestionChoice
Ibuprofen can cause constipation, however this is listed as a rare/very rare side effect whereas ferrous sulfate has constipation listed as a common side effect.
50398
e
Ibuprofen 200mg PO QDS
Concept
Chapter
Osteoporosis, otherwise known as thin bones, is a condition associated with high risk of low trauma fractures due to reduced bone mineral density. Osteoclast activity exceeds osteoblast activity, meaning that bone resorption is occurring at a greater rate than bone formation.

**Symptoms and Signs**

- Generally asymptomatic until a fragility fracture occurs
- Back pain
- Kyphosis (stooped posture)
- Fragility fractures

**Risk factors**

- Female sex
- Increasing age
- Smoking
- Corticosteroid use
- Low BMI (< 20-25kg/m<sup>2</sup>)
- Low body weight (<58kg)
- Vitamin D deficiency

**Protective factors**

- Higher BMI
- Exercise - mechanical loading stimulates bone formation

**Diagnosis**
Osteoporosis can be detected on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan.
A T score of < -2.5 indicates osteoporosis

**Management**

- Fall prevention
- Vitamin D and calcium supplementation
- Hormone replacement therapy (postmenopausal women)
- Oral bisphosphonates
2657
3662
Ferrous sulfate commonly causes constipation
Topic
130
Geriatrics
10133
Case Presentation: A 68-year-old female attends her GP complaining of constipation.  Her regular medicines are listed (below). Weight 50kg.


**PH** Hayfever, COPD, iron deficiency anaemia, Systemic lupus erythematosus

**DH** Cetirizine 10mg PO OD, Salbutamol 200micrograms INH QDS, Ferrous sulfate 200mg PO BD, Hydroxychloroquine 200mg PO OD, Ibuprofen 200mg PO QDS

Question: Select the medication that is most likely to have contributed to this patient's constipation
a