also: しゃかやく
noun
laxative; cathartic; purgative
Medical term for a substance that promotes bowel movements. Used in pharmaceutical and clinical contexts.
この瀉下薬は便秘の治療に使われます。
This laxative is used to treat constipation.
医師は強い瀉下薬を処方した。
The doctor prescribed a strong purgative.
From 瀉下 (しゃげ, purgation) + 薬 (やく, medicine). The kanji 瀉 means 'to pour out' or 'to drain', and 下 means 'down', together referring to the purgative effect.