Digestive
Medicines for Bowel incontinence
Difficulty controlling bowel movements, leading to leakage of stool — common, often treatable, and important to seek help for despite the embarrassment it can cause.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Bowel incontinence?
Bowel (faecal) incontinence is the difficulty controlling bowel movements, resulting in the unintended leakage of stool. It ranges from occasional leakage of a small amount when passing wind, to a complete loss of bowel control.
- How it is treated: Treatment depends on the cause and is often effective, so assessment is the important first step.
- Self-care: Establishing a regular bowel routine, dietary adjustments (managing constipation or loose stools), pelvic-floor exercises, and using suitable continence products all help.
- When to seek help: See a GP or continence service about any difficulty controlling your bowels — it is common and often treatable.
What it is
Bowel (faecal) incontinence is the difficulty controlling bowel movements, resulting in the unintended leakage of stool. It ranges from occasional leakage of a small amount when passing wind, to a complete loss of bowel control. It is more common than many people realise, particularly in older adults and women (for example after childbirth), and can have a big impact on confidence, social life and wellbeing. Causes include weakness or damage to the muscles or nerves that control the bowel (for example after childbirth or surgery), severe or long-standing constipation with overflow, diarrhoea, and conditions affecting the bowel or nervous system. Many people feel too embarrassed to seek help, but it is often treatable, so it is important to talk to a health professional.
How it is treated
Treatment depends on the cause and is often effective, so assessment is the important first step. Measures may include treating any underlying problem (such as constipation or diarrhoea), dietary changes, establishing a regular bowel routine, and pelvic-floor exercises to strengthen the muscles that control the bowel, often guided by a specialist continence physiotherapist. Bowel-retraining techniques, and practical support such as suitable products, help manage symptoms. When these are not enough, other options include specific medicines, treatments to stimulate the nerves controlling the bowel, and, in some cases, surgery. A continence service or colorectal specialist can offer a tailored plan. The key message is that help is available and effective, and no one should suffer in silence.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Bowel incontinence
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Establishing a regular bowel routine, dietary adjustments (managing constipation or loose stools), pelvic-floor exercises, and using suitable continence products all help. Seeking help early, despite embarrassment, opens the door to effective treatment.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP or continence service about any difficulty controlling your bowels — it is common and often treatable. Seek prompt assessment for new bowel incontinence with back pain or leg weakness, which needs urgent evaluation.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Bowel incontinence: frequently asked questions
Is bowel incontinence treatable?
Yes — it is often very treatable, depending on the cause. Options range from dietary changes, bowel routines and pelvic-floor exercises to medicines and, in some cases, other procedures. Seeking help is the important first step.
Why does bowel incontinence happen?
Causes include weakness or damage to the muscles or nerves controlling the bowel (for example after childbirth), severe constipation with overflow, diarrhoea, and various bowel or nerve conditions. Assessment identifies the cause and guides treatment.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CG49 — Faecal incontinence
- NHS — Bowel incontinence
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.