How does a suppository work for constipation

Bisacodyl - Brand name: Dulcolax On this page About bisacodyl Key facts Who can and cannot take bisacodyl How and when to take or use bisacodyl Side effects How to cope with side effects of bisacodyl Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about bisacodyl. About bisacodyl Bisacodyl is a laxative. Before trying bisacodyl, it's better to try other ways to help your constipation by: having more fibre in your diet and drinking more water exercising Only use bisacodyl if you have tried other types of laxatives first such as: bulk-forming laxatives like Fybogel ispaghula husk and methylcellulose osmotic laxatives like lactulose and polyethylene glycol.

Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Bisacodyl tablets take 6 to 12 hours to work. The suppositories take 10 to 45 minutes to work, so it's best to stay close to a toilet after you've used them. The most common side effects are feeling sick nausea , diarrhoea, stomach pain or cramps. Only give bisacodyl to children and young people if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it. Do not take bisacodyl tablets or use bisacodyl suppositories every day for more than 5 days.

Bisacodyl can be used by most adults aged 18 years and over. Important Only give bisacodyl to someone under the age of 18 if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have: ever had an allergic reaction to bisacodyl or any other medicine signs of dehydration — these include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee severe stomach pain and you are feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting a serious problem in your stomach abdomen such as appendicitis a blockage in your bowel intestinal obstruction , ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease a problem with the muscles in your bowel not being able to move food and liquid along For suppositories, also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have: ever had an allergic reaction to suppositories tears or open sores anal fissures or cracked skin around your anus.

Dosage for tablets Bisacodyl tablets you buy self-treatment The usual dose for adults and young people aged 12 years and over is 5mg to 10mg, taken once a day at bedtime. Important: Information for ages 12 to 17 Only give bisacodyl tablets that you buy to someone aged 12 to 17 years if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it.

Bisacodyl tablets prescribed by a doctor The usual starting dose for adults, and children aged 4 years and over, is 5mg, taken once a day at bedtime. Dosage for suppositories The usual dose for: adults — one 10mg suppository, used once a day in the morning children aged 2 to 17 years — one 5mg or 10mg suppository, used once a day in the morning on doctor's advice only How to take tablets Take the medicine once a day just before bedtime. Do not take bisacodyl tablets at the same time as: dairy products like milk, cheese or yoghurt indigestion remedies antacids medicines to reduce stomach acid like proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole or pantoprazole Leave a gap of 1 hour between taking any of these and taking your bisacodyl tablets.

How to use suppositories Read the instructions in the leaflet inside the package. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? If you're worried, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Common side effects Common side effects, which happen in more than 1 in people, are: feeling sick nausea diarrhoea stomach pain or cramps These side effects are mild and usually go away after a couple of days. Serious side effects Call your doctor straight away if these rare side effects happen to you: feeling dizzy blood in your poo being sick vomiting Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to bisacodyl.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sick — try taking bisacodyl with some food. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration , such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.

Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Bisacodyl and pregnancy Bisacodyl tablets or suppositories are not generally recommended if you are pregnant. Bisacodyl and breastfeeding If your doctor or midwife recommends bisacodyl, rather than lactulose or Fybogel, it's OK to use it while you're breastfeeding.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Some medicines, and some foods, affect the way bisacodyl works. They include: medicines that make you pee more diuretics , steroids like prednisolone or digoxin a heart medicine — these can upset the balance of salts and minerals in your body if you have too much bisacodyl. If you are taking digoxin, this imbalance makes it more likely you will have the serious side effects of digoxin.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking bisacodyl if you are taking any of these medicines. They can also make the bisacodyl irritate your stomach and give you indigestion. Do not take bisacodyl at the same time. Leave a gap of 1 hour before or after taking bisacodyl if you are having indigestion remedies. Mixing bisacodyl with herbal remedies or supplements There is not enough research to know if complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with bisacodyl.

Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does bisacodyl work? When will I feel better?

Bisacodyl tablets usually work within 6 to 12 hours after taking them. How long will I take bisacodyl for? Do not take bisacodyl every day for more than 5 days. If you are still constipated after 5 days, talk to your doctor. Is it safe to take bisacodyl for a long time? Can I take different laxatives together?

Are other laxatives any better? Included is detail on whether it is necessary and alternatives. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures PNES , once known as pseudoseizures, can resemble epilepsy, but they do not result from changes in brain activity…. How do you use a suppository? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Uses of suppositories. Share on Pinterest People use suppositories when they are unable to take drugs orally.

Types of suppositories and their uses. How to insert a rectal suppository. Share on Pinterest. How to insert a vaginal suppository. How to insert a urethral suppository. Risks and side effects. Tips and troubleshooting. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What causes dizziness and vomiting?

Medically reviewed by Sachin S. Kapur, MD, MS. How do you use vaginal suppositories? Medically reviewed by J.

In high doses, often produce diarrhea. Often causes bloating and excessive amounts of intestinal gas. In high doses, often produces diarrhea. Also a mild irritant, senna causes the lower intestine to contract squeeze. In high doses, may cause cramps and diarrhea. Available as a tasteless, odorless powder that can be readily mixed into juices or other fluids without altering their taste.

Mineral Oil A non-absorbable oil digested by bacteria living in the large intestine. By-products of this digestion stimulate the intestine to secrete salt and water. In high doses, often causes some orange seepage and some itching at the anus.

In high doses, often cause bloating and gas. Can diet accomplish the same thing as these laxatives? Are laxatives safe? Because nearly all available laxatives work by keeping large amounts of water in the stool, they can be used for very long periods of time without significant risk. There is no evidence that any of the laxatives described above can result in dependency with chronic usage.

Laxatives lose their effectiveness if they are used for prolonged periods? No studies have ever convincingly demonstrated that any of the laxatives described above lose their effectiveness over time.

Children who use laxatives have an increased risk of developing colon cancer? Several studies have suggested that adults with untreated constipation may be at increased risk for developing colon cancer, but there is no evidence to suggest that laxatives increase this risk.

How long does treatment need to continue? Children years of age and older: months of continuous laxative therapy is usually sufficient to reverse many of the problems described above Children under 5 years of age: we usually recommend continuous treatment with laxatives for at least 6 months, sometimes as long as 1 year Younger children need to be treated longer than older children not because the problem is more severe, but because of their developmental stage.

Are there other things we can do to make treatment easier and more effective? Biofeedback therapy Some pediatric centers offer biofeedback therapy as a way to improve the muscle coordination associated with passing bowel movements. In This Section down-arrow.