bisacodyl
Bisacodyl suppositories are found over-the-counter (OTC) and treat occasional constipation in adults and children ages 6 and older. Typically, you insert this medication rectally once a day. As a laxative, it works by stimulating muscles in your gut, making it easier to empty your bowels. Side effects of this medication include stomach discomfort, cramping, and diarrhea.
What is Bisacodyl?
What is Bisacodyl used for?
- Occasional constipation and irregular bowel movements
How Bisacodyl works
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative. It works by stimulating the muscles in your gut, helping stool move more easily through your intestines to empty the bowels. It also prevents your body from absorbing too much water from the gut, which softens the stool and relieves constipation.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Bisacodyl
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Stomach discomfort
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Feeling faint
Less Common Side Effects
- Rectal burning
- Rectal bleeding
The following Bisacodyl side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Skin irritation surrounding rectal area
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Bisacodyl
Pros
- Available as an over-the-counter medication
- Works within 15 minutes to 1 hour to relieve constipation
- Only inserted once a day
Cons
- Might be difficult for some people to use as directed
- Can cause stomach discomfort, cramping, and diarrhea
- Shouldn't be used for long-term since it can cause dependence
Pharmacist tips for Bisacodyl
- Let your healthcare team know if you have nausea or vomiting before using bisacodyl because these might be signs of a more serious health condition that needs more medical attention. Make sure to stay hydrated while using bisacodyl. Doing so might help your stool move easier through the gut and relieve constipation.
- Before using bisacodyl, let your healthcare team know if you have stomach pain or a sudden change in bowel movements lasting for more than 2 weeks. These could be signs of a more serious problem.
- Talk with your healthcare team if you've been using bisacodyl for more than 1 week. Using it longer than directed can lead to dependence, meaning your body might start to rely on this medication to have a bowel movement.
- Stop using bisacodyl if you have rectal bleeding or don't have a bowel movement after using it. Contact your care team right away so they can check for any serious conditions.
- Store bisacodyl up and away and out of children's reach and sight. This prevents them from accidentally swallowing medication that's left out. Always put medication away every time you use it. If you think that your child might’ve accidentally swallowed bisacodyl, call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away even if you aren't completely sure. How to use bisacodyl suppository:
- Remove one suppository from the strip and take off the wrapper.
- While lying on your side with bended knees, insert the suppository slowly into the rectum with the pointed end first.
- After inserting the suppository into your rectum, consider staying in the same position for about 15 to 20 minutes to keep the medication in your body.
Common questions about Bisacodyl
Each suppository contains 10 mg of bisacodyl. For children ages 6 to 11, the typical dose is half a suppository (5 mg) inserted rectally once a day. For adults and children 12 years and older, the usual dose is one suppository (10 mg) inserted rectally once a day. Don’t use more than this unless advised by a healthcare professional. Taking too much can raise your risk of side effects, like stomach cramps and rectal bleeding. If you don't feel relief after a dose, let your healthcare team know.
After a dose of bisacodyl, it'll typically take 15 minutes to 1 hour before you'll have a bowel movement. You might feel a strong urge to go to the bathroom soon after inserting, so make sure to stay near a toilet.
Some common side effects of bisacodyl include stomach discomfort, cramping, and diarrhea. Avoid using this medication more than directed by your healthcare team. Consider drinking plenty of water and eating small meals to help relieve stomach discomfort.
Bisacodyl is the generic version of Dulcolax. Talk to your primary care provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about comparing the brand-name and generic versions.
Yes, bisacodyl and docusate (Colace) work differently to relieve constipation. Docusate (Colace) is a stool softener that draws water and fat into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Bisacodyl, on the other hand, works by stimulating the muscles in your gut, helping the stool move through the intestines more easily to empty the bowels.
There's mixed evidence about whether stimulant laxatives like bisacodyl are safe to use during pregnancy. The rectal suppository is preferred over oral tablets to avoid colic. But in general, bisacodyl isn't the best option for treating constipation during pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the best way to ease occasional constipation is to eat more fiber. But if that doesn't help, bulk-forming laxatives like psyllium (Metamucil) are typically the first-choice option. Talk with your OB-GYN if you experience constipation during pregnancy.
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Risks and warnings for Bisacodyl
Bisacodyl can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
For rectal use only
Bisacodyl should only be used rectally. Don't take this medication by mouth, and never use it in your eyes, nose, or ears. If you think that your child might’ve accidentally swallowed this medication, call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Further medical attention needed
See a healthcare professional right away if you have rectal bleeding, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting along with constipation. Also, let your healthcare team know if you had to use laxatives for more than a week or if you still aren't able to have a bowel movement after using bisacodyl. These are signs that you need further medical attention.
Bisacodyl dosage
Suppository| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 12 suppositories | $4.20 | $0.35 |
Typical dosage for Bisacodyl
- Adults and children age 12 years or older: Insert 1 suppository into the rectum once daily as needed for constipation. Each suppository contains 10 mg of bisacodyl.
- Children age 6 to 11 years old: Insert one-half of a suppository into the rectum once daily as needed for constipation.
- Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
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Interactions between Bisacodyl and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Hyaluronidase
- St John's Wort
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