Overview: Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative that is used to help you poop if you are having trouble with occasional constipation. Common side effects may include stomach discomfort, stomach cramps, or faintness. You should not use bisacodyl for more than one week unless your health care provider tells you to do so. Bisacodyl comes in various forms, including a capsule or tablet that you take by mouth or an enema or suppository for rectal use.
Uses
What is bisacodyl used for?
Bisacodyl is commonly used to help you poop if you have occasional constipation. Some forms may also be used to cleanse the bowels before certain procedures.
Bisacodyl may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
How does bisacodyl work (mechanism of action)?
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative. It works to help constipation by stimulating the muscles of the intestines, which increases the movement of poop through your intestines and out of your body. Bisacodyl may also increase the amount of water that is in your poop, which can help soften your poop and make it easier to pass.
How is bisacodyl supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Correctol
- Dulcolax
- Fleet
Example dosage forms and strengths
- 5 mg oral capsules
- 5 mg delayed-release oral tablets
- 10 mg/30 mL rectal enemas
- 10 mg rectal suppositories
How should I store bisacodyl?
Storage instructions can vary among bisacodyl products. Bisacodyl should generally be stored at room temperature. Follow the storage instructions on your specific product. If there are no storage instructions, most medicines should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight. If you are not sure how to store your product, ask your pharmacist.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of bisacodyl?
The most common side effects of bisacodyl are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Stomach discomfort or cramping
- Faintness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rectal burning (suppository or enema)
There may be other side effects of bisacodyl that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of bisacodyl?
While less common, the most serious side effects of bisacodyl are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Bisacodyl may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using bisacodyl and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use bisacodyl?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use bisacodyl.
- Bisacodyl
- Correctol
- Dulcolax
- Fleet
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific bisacodyl products they stock.
Digestive Tract Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have constipation with stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. These could be symptoms of a more serious condition. Bisacodyl should not be used if you have certain stomach problems, including a gut blockage or tear, appendicitis, poop stuck in your digestive tract (severe fecal impaction), inflammation of your large intestine (colitis), rectal bleeding, or blood in your poop. Bisacodyl enema or suppository should not be used if you have anal fissures or inflammation of the rectum (proctitis). Ask your health care provider if you are not sure if you have any of these conditions.
Dehydration. Bisacodyl should not be used if you are severely dehydrated.
What should I know about bisacodyl before using it?
There are multiple forms of bisacodyl available. Read and follow the instructions for the product you have and make sure you understand how to use it properly. Do not use more than the recommended dose. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.
Keep bisacodyl out of the reach of children.
Bisacodyl tablets or capsules usually make you poop in 6 to 12 hours after taking a dose. Bisacodyl suppository usually makes you poop in 15 minutes to 1 hour after using it. Bisacodyl enema usually makes you poop in 5 to 20 minutes after using it.
If you are taking bisacodyl tablets or capsules, do not chew, cut, or crush them. Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not take bisacodyl tablets or capsules within one hour after taking an antacid or milk.
If you are using bisacodyl enema or suppository, it is only for rectal use. Do not swallow. If you are using the suppository, you should remove it from its packaging before inserting it into the rectum with the pointed end first. If you are using the enema, you should insert it gently into the rectum. Follow the product instructions and ask your health care provider if you have any questions.
You should not use bisacodyl for more than one week unless your health care provider tells you to do so.
Stop using bisacodyl and contact your health care provider right away if you have rectal bleeding, blood in your poop, or if you are not able to poop after using the medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious condition.
What should I tell my health care provider before using bisacodyl?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if bisacodyl is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- A new change in your bowel habits that lasts for two weeks or more
- Already used a laxative for more than one week
- An eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia
- An electrolyte imbalance, including low potassium levels
Other Medicines and Supplements. Bisacodyl may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using bisacodyl, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how bisacodyl could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby, but it is not recommended to use it for a long time. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use bisacodyl while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if bisacodyl passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use bisacodyl while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does bisacodyl interact with foods or drinks?
Do not take bisacodyl tablets or capsules within one hour of drinking milk. There are no known interactions between bisacodyl enema or suppository and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect bisacodyl.
Does bisacodyl interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using bisacodyl.
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- An antacid
- An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid)
- Deflazacort (Emflaza, Jaythari), which is a medicine used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
- Dichlorphenamide (Keveyis, Ormalvi), which is a medicine used to treat a rare inherited condition called primary periodic paralysis (PPP)
- A medicine or supplement that contains potassium
- A laxative to clean out your bowel (bowel prep), such as before a colonoscopy
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with bisacodyl. Always check with your health care provider.
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