Bisacodyl

Trade Name: Dulcolax

Type of Drug: Bisacodyl belongs to the class of drugs called stimulant laxatives.

How Drug Works: Bisacodyl stimulates (irritates) the smooth muscle of the intestines. This causes the normal forward movement of the intestines (peristalsis). It increases water in the intestines, resulting in a bowel movement.

How Drug Is Given: Bisacodyl is given as a pill or as a rectal suppository. The dose of the pill may depend on how often you take laxatives. The suppository is available in one dose. Take the pill on an empty stomach, more than 1 hour after taking antacids or drinking milk. Do not crush the pill. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container and out of the reach of children and pets.

How Should I Take This Drug? Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.

Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.

Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities? Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.

Precautions: You will probably have an urge to move your bowels 6 to 10 hours after taking the pills, and 15 minutes to 1 hour after taking the suppository.

Talk to your doctor before taking bisacodyl if you have nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or blood in the stool, or if you have not had a bowel movement in several days. There may be something else wrong besides constipation.

If you use laxatives all the time, your body may forget the normal process of moving your bowels. You then become dependent on the laxative. If you are taking opioid pain relievers, you will need to take a laxative regularly.

To prevent constipation, try to drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid a day, increase the amount of bran, fruits, and vegetables in your diet (try to eat 5 fruits and vegetables daily), eat vegetable fiber or cereal, and do gentle exercise as tolerated.

Some laxatives can cause diarrhea. It is important to replace the fluid that you lose through diarrhea. Try to drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid a day. Fluids with electrolytes, such as chicken broth or sports drinks, are helpful in replacing potassium and salt that are lost in diarrhea.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

Most of the following side effects probably will not occur. Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you. They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.

Side Effects:

More Common Side Effects Mild rectal burning as suppository is absorbed Loss of normal reflexes to move bowels when used on a long-term basis

Less Common Side Effects Dehydration due to fluid loss in diarrhea Diarrhea Loss of electrolytes

Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.

FDA Approval: Yes