The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the tolerance of long term repeated doses of Forlax® 10g versus lactulose in elderly ambulatory or institutionalized patients, paying special attention to digestive and nutritional status.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Institutionalized patients (in a medical care ward) for at least 3 months, or ambulatory patients

• Suffering from chronic constipation defined as:

  • either less than 3 stools per week for at least 3 months and no or partial efficacy of dietary advices, OR
  • patient treated with laxative medication/s for at least 3 months before inclusion, because of chronic constipation corresponding to less than 3 stools per week in case of no laxative treatment

• patient has less than 3 stools during 7 consecutive days of the screening wash-out period

Exclusion Criteria:

• known organic intestinal disease
• having had intestinal surgery
• abdominal or pelvic radiation, carcinoma, obstructive disease, malabsorption disease
• fecal mass in the rectum which cannot be completely evacuated during the screening wash-out period