Anticholinergic Medication, Burden and Constipation

A clear, visual and accessible guide to constipation risk associated with anticholinergic and bowel-slowing mental health medicines.

Designed for all learners, including visual and Deaf learners, this guide explains anticholinergic and antimuscarinic effects, anticholinergic burden, peristalsis, constipation, faecal impaction, bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, tachycardia and orthostatic hypotension through simple language and clear visual explanations.

It includes focused learning pages on clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, amitriptyline and procyclidine, together with the Bristol Stool Chart, bowel-monitoring guidance, prevention and supportive care, red flags, documentation and escalation.

Created as an inclusive educational clinical resource to support learning, communication and earlier recognition of constipation-related risks in mental health care.

This guide is educational and does not replace clinical judgement, current prescribing information, local policy or specialist advice.