Bisacodyl

Bisacodyl relieves occasional constipation and irregularity.

Bisacodyl belongs to a group of drugs called stimulant laxatives. It works by increasing activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.

This medication comes in tablet form and is typically taken once a day as needed, with a full glass of water.  Do not use bisacodyl within 1 hour after taking an antacid or milk.

Do not chew or crush tablet(s). Swallow tablets whole.

Bisacodyl also comes as a suppository and is typically given once a day as needed.

Bisacodyl also comes as an enema that is given per rectum once a day as needed.

Common side effects of bisacodyl include stomach discomfort, faintness and/or cramps.

Bisacodyl relieves occasional constipation and irregularity. Bisacodyl is also used to empty the bowels before surgery and certain medical procedures.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Bisacodyl may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Alophen Reformulated Jan 2008

• Bisa-Plex

• Bisac-Evac

• Bisco-Lax

• Bisolax

• Carters Little Pills

• Correct (New Formula)

• Correctol

• Doxidan Reformulated Sep 2008

• Dulcogen

• Dulcolax

• Evac-U-Gen

• Ex-lax Ultra

• Ez2go Stimu-Lax Tablet

• Feen-A-Mint

• Fleet Bisacodyl

• Gen Lax

• The Magic Bullet

• Veracolate

Bisacodyl tablets

Common side effects include:

• stomach discomfort
• faintness
• cramps

Bisacodyl suppository and enema

Common side effects include:

• stomach discomfort
• faintness
• rectal burning
• mild cramps

This is not a complete list of bisacodyl side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Stop use and ask a doctor if:

• you have rectal bleeding or fail to have a bowel movement after use of a laxative.  These could be signs of a serious condition.
• you need to use a laxative for more than 1 week unless directed by a doctor
•  no bowel movement within 30 minutes of enema use

Do not take/use bisacodyl if you:

• are allergic to bisacodyl or to any of its ingredients
• if you cannot swallow without chewing (tablets)

Before taking bisacodyl, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to bisacodyl or to any of its ingredients
• have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
• have a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts more than 2 weeks
• already used a laxative for more than 1 week
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using bisacodyl.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed before using bisacodyl.

Take bisacodyl exactly as directed.

Bisacodyl comes in tablet and suppository form and is taken once a day as needed. Do NOT take/use bisacodyl tablets and/or suppository for longer than 1 week unless directed by a doctor.

Bisacodyl also comes as an enema and is given once a day as needed.

Bisacodyl tablets

Bisacodyl tablets generally produces bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours

• do not chew or crush tablet(s)
• take with a glass of water
• do not use within 1 hour after taking an antacid or milk

Bisacodyl suppository

Bisacodyl suppository generally produces bowel movement in 15 minutes to 1 hour

• Detach one suppository from the strip and remove from foil
• Carefully insert one suppository well into the rectum

Bisacodyl enema

Bisacodyl enema generally produces a bowel movement in 5-20 minutes

How to use Enema:

• shake bottle well before removing protective shield
• REMOVE ORANGE PROTECTIVE SHIELD FROM ENEMA COMFORTIP® BEFORE INSERTING
• with steady pressure, gently insert enema tip in to rectum with a slight side-to-side movement, with tip pointing toward navel. Insertion may be easier if person receiving enema bears down, as if having a bowel movement. This helps relax the muscles around the anus.
• do not force the enema tip into rectum as this can cause injury squeeze bottle until nearly all liquid is gone. It is not necessay to empty the bottle completely ,as it contains more liquid than needed.
• remove Comfortip® from rectum and maintain position until urge to evacuate is strong

Positions for using this enema:

• Left-side position: lie on left side with knee bent ,and ams resting comfortably
• Knee-chest position: kneel, then lower head and chest forward until left side of face is resting on surface with left arm folded comfortably

In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Tablets:

• Store bisacodyl tablets at 25ºC (77ºF)
• Avoid excessive humidity
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Suppository:

• Store at room temperature: 15°- 30° C (59° - 86° F). Do not exceed 30° C (86° F)
• Individually sealed for your protection. Do not use if foil is torn or open
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Enema

• Store at temperatures not above 86°F (30°C)
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.