Bisacodyl

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (bis ak' oh dil)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Bisacodyl is used on a short-term basis to treat constipation. It also is used to empty the bowels before surgery and certain medical procedures. Bisacodyl is in a class of medications called stimulant laxatives. It works by increasing activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.


How should this medicine be used?

Bisacodyl comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken the evening before a bowel movement is desired. Bisacodyl normally causes a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours. Do not take bisacodyl more than once a day or for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take bisacodyl exactly as directed. Frequent or continued use of bisacodyl may make you dependent on laxatives and cause your bowels to lose their normal activity. If you do not have a regular bowel movement after taking bisacodyl, do not take any more medication and talk to your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Do not take bisacodyl within 1 hour after drinking or eating dairy products.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking bisacodyl,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bisacodyl, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in these products. Check the label or ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • if you are taking antacids, wait at least 1 hour before taking bisacodyl.
  • tell your doctor if you have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in bowel movements lasting more than 2 weeks.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking bisacodyl, call your doctor.
  • talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take bisacodyl because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Bisacodyl may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • stomach cramps
  • faintness
  • stomach discomfort
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience this symptom, stop taking bisacodyl and call your doctor immediately:
  • rectal bleeding

Bisacodyl may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.


Drug Category/Class

  • Enemas
  • Cathartics
  • Laxatives
  • Contact Laxatives
  • Drugs for Constipation
  • Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
  • Contact laxatives
  • Enemas
Prescribed Indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults.
Weight :361.3906
Structure Bisacodyl
Generic Drug Bisacodyl prescribed Indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults.
Formula

C22H19NO4

Bisacodyl has 25 Brands listed


Baxative (5 mg)Baxative (Rectal) (5 mg)
Bidlax (5 mg)Bisacodyl (5 mg)
Bisacodyl (5 mg) (healthy Life Pharma)Bisacodyl (5 mg) (LOCOST)
Bisacodyl (5 mg) (Unicure)Bisacodyl 5 mg Tabs (Jan Aushadhi)
Bisariv (5 mg)Bo Lax (5 mg)
Conlax (Rectal) (10 mg)Conlax (Rectal) (5 mg)
dulcoflexdulcoflex suppositories child
dulcoflex suppository adultDulcolax (5 mg)
Dulcolax (Rectal) (10 mg)Dulcolax (Rectal) (5 mg)
Julax (10 mg)Julax M (5 mg)
Junifree RDS (5 mg)Orcolax (5 mg)
Saflax (5 mg)Swilax (5 mg)
Unilax (5 mg)

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