Common secondary causes of chronic constipation

Neurogenic disorders
Central	Spinal cord injury or disease Multiple sclerosis
Peripheral	Hirschsprung disease Chagas disease
Autonomic	Diabetes mellitus Parkinson disease Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
Non-neurogenic causes
Irritable bowel syndrome
Endocrine and metabolic	Hypothyroidism Hypercalcemia Hypokalemia Diabetes mellitus (through autonomic neuropathy)
Myopathies	Systemic sclerosis Amyloidosis Myotonic dystrophy
Obstructive colorectal conditions	Colorectal cancer Rectocele Colonic stricture
Other	Anorexia nervosa Pregnancy Celiac disease
Medications
More likely to cause constipation	Opioid analgesics Cation-containing agents (eg, iron supplements, antacids, sucralfate, barium) 5HT3 antagonists (eg, ondansetron)
Less likely to cause constipation	Anticholinergic agents (antihistamines, antispasmodics, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics) Antihypertensives (eg, calcium channel blockers and clonidine) Vinca alkaloids (eg, vincristine)

This table reviews common secondary etiologies of constipation, including medications.

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