Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Constipation on Oramorph

Cosh Girl
  • 1 reply
  • 41 subscribers
  • 723 views

My husband has terminal primary liver cancer and is currently taking 2mls of Oramorph10mg/ml twice a day. This works for his pain but makes him very constipated which in turn gives him stomach ache. I have been giving him 2 Senna at bedtime if he doesn't 'go' that day, but that isn't working, so have increased dose to 3 senna which does eventually have an effect.

So, should he take Senna daily whilst on Oramorph? If so what dose as 2 tabs has no effect. Or is there another stronger laxative he can use.

Should add he also takes 15ml lactulose daily.

Thanks for any advice.

  • Hi   

    Thanks for getting in touch. I’m Linda, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on our Support line.

    I’m sorry that your husband is struggling with constipation. This can have a really big impact on day to day life and can affect other things like eating problems, so it is important to see what can be done to help.

    Pain killers ,unfortunately, are a bit of a culprit for causing constipation but there are other things that might not be helping alongside the medication.

    Senna can be helpful for constipation and many people will have this prescribed when they are taking morphine. But it may be that your husband needs something stronger. There are different types of laxatives and they can work slightly differently, so it’s best to get advice.

    I’m not sure who prescribed the pain relief, if it was your husband’s GP or his hospital team, but they would be the key people to get in touch with for advice. If he is having treatment, with the likes of chemotherapy, and has a 24-hour support line number for the oncology service, he can call them too.

    It is good idea to contact them today.

    If there is any difficulty with getting through your local community pharmacist should be able to help. 

    In the meantime our information about constipation found here might also be helpful to read.

    I hope this helps and that your husband’s symptoms settle soon. If it would help to chat over this or anything else you are also welcome to call us on 0808 808 0000  (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) 

     Take care   

    Linda, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    Ref/LM/PN

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007