Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention. Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:. Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever: If you have abdominal pain, nausea, fever, or vomiting, do not take this medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Dizziness and fainting: People taking this medication have reported experiencing dizziness and fainting. This may be from straining to produce a bowel movement or from the pain that can be associated with constipation. If you feel dizzy or faint while taking this medication, contact your doctor.
Long-term use: This medication should not be taken daily or for long periods of time as this may lead to dehydration and low potassium levels. Long-term use can make your bowels dependent on this medication to function. Rectal conditions: If you have rectal fissures or ulcerative proctitis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
People with these conditions may experience pain and irritation when using the suppository form of this medication. If you experience rectal bleeding after using the suppositories, contact your doctor. Tartrazine: This medication contains tartrazine a colouring agent and should not be taken by people who are allergic to tartrazine. Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Breast-feeding: This medication does not pass into breast milk. It is therefore considered safe to use while breast-feeding. Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children less than 6 years old. Do not give this medication to children unless recommended by your doctor.
Common bisacodyl side-effects - these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people who use this medicine What can I do if I experience this? Feeling sick nausea Stick to simple foods Loose or watery stools diarrhoea Stop using bisacodyl. This can be a result of taking bisacodyl unnecessarily or for too long Tummy cramps or discomfort This should soon pass Suppositories may cause irritation to the bottom Try applying a gentle moisturiser to that area. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
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Start symptom checker. Common bisacodyl side-effects - these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people who use this medicine. Stop using bisacodyl. A Dulcolax suppository can produce a bowel movement in minutes.
A saline laxative, such as magnesium citrate, can produce a bowel movement in a half hour to 6 hours. Depending on your preference enema, suppository, or liquid and your level of discomfort, you can choose one of these, and it should work very quickly. Miralax can be taken occasionally to treat constipation, but should not be used for more than seven days.
If you have been using Miralax for seven days, and feel like you need to keep using it, consult your healthcare provider for guidance. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Dulcolax vs. Miralax: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. By Karen Berger, Pharm.
Want the best price on Miralax? Top Reads in Drug vs. Toujeo vs Lantus: Main Differences and S Dulera vs Advair: Main Differences and S Suboxone vs Methadone: Main Differences Looking for a prescription?
Search now! Type your drug name. Tablet Dulcolax, Dulcolax Pink , suppository Other formulations of Dulcolax include: Liquid Dulcolax, Dulcolax Soft Chews contain magnesium, not bisacodyl Dulcolax stool softener contains docusate sodium. For constipation: Tablet: 1 to 3 tablets in a single daily dose for adults and children 12 and older.
Suppository: 1 suppository in a single daily dose for adults and children 12 and older. The applicator cannot be used in children under 12 years old. For bowel prep: Your healthcare provider will provide instructions.
For constipation: 17 grams or contents of 1 packet, if using the packet mixed into 4 to 8 ounces of beverage. Stir and dissolve, and drink once daily for up to 7 days. For bowel prep: Your healthcare provider can provide instructions.
There is not enough research to know if complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with bisacodyl. They are not tested in the same way as other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.
Bisacodyl is known as a stimulant laxative. It relieves constipation by helping your bowel move so you can poo more easily. It also softens your poo. The suppositories can take 10 to 45 minutes, so it's best to stay close to a toilet.
If you take bisacodyl for longer, your body can start to rely on it, rather than your bowels doing the work on their own. It's best to only use bisacodyl occasionally and for a few days at a time. Using laxatives like bisacodyl for longer than this can lead to diarrhoea. It can also cause an electrolyte or salt imbalance, where levels sodium, potassium and magnesium in your body get too high or too low. A severe electrolyte imbalance can cause serious health problems such as muscle spasm and twitching, and even convulsions.
Using bisacodyl for many weeks, even months, could also stop your bowel working properly on its own. If you need to use laxatives every day for longer than 5 days, talk to your doctor. For most people, 1 laxative will be enough to make your constipation better. Occasionally, you may need to take 2 different types of laxatives at the same time to get your bowels moving again.
Only take 2 laxatives together if your doctor or pharmacist tells you to, as this increases the risk of side effects. There are several types of laxative. They work in a different way from bisacodyl but are equally good at treating constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as Fybogel and methylcellulose, increase the "bulk" or weight of poo, which in turn stimulates bowel movement. They take 2 or 3 days to work. Osmotic laxatives, such as lactulose , draw water from the rest of the body into your bowel to soften your poo and make it easier for you to go to the toilet.
They take at least 2 days to work. Stimulant laxatives, like senna , stimulate the muscles that line your gut, helping them to move poo along your gut to your anus bottom. Senna takes about 8 hours to work.
There's no evidence to suggest that taking bisacodyl will reduce fertility in either men or women. But if you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Do not take bisacodyl at the same time as dairy products like milk, cheese or yoghurt. The small amount of milk in coffee and tea will not affect your bisacodyl tablets. If you're constipated it's a good idea to stop eating pastries, cakes, puddings and cheese for a while, as foods high in fat can make constipation worse.
It's quite common to have constipation after surgery. Using a laxative may help. If you have constipation after an operation, it's better to use lactulose because it is gentler than bisacodyl. You can get it on prescription or buy it from pharmacies. You can often improve constipation without having to use laxatives. Before trying bisacodyl, or to stop your constipation coming back, it may help to:.
Page last reviewed: 14 June Next review due: 14 June
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