How Quickly Does Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) Work?
Medically reviewed by Alex Yampolsky, PharmD
Unmanaged constipation can lead to incomplete fecal removal from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can impact your quality of life and lead to potentially more serious conditions, such as hemorrhoids or anal fissure.
Fortunately, various over-the-counter (OTC) drug options, including the stimulant laxative Dulcolax (bisacodyl) exist to manage constipation-related symptoms effectively.
Dulcolax is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage constipation and irregularity in bowel movements.
Dulcolax is available in various forms, such as tablets and suppositories. This product is safe and effective and works quickly.
Generally, Dulcolax tablets take six to 12 hours to work, while the suppositories take 10 to 45 minutes to produce a bowel movement.
This article will cover Dulcolax's effectiveness, storage requirements, and how to take it for maximum effectiveness.
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Understanding Constipation
Constipation is a common clinical problem affecting children and adults, especially older adults. It is the infrequent passage of stools or difficulty evacuating stools.
Various symptoms include hard and dry stools, fewer than three bowel movements a week, stools difficult or painful to pass, a feeling that not all the stool has passed, abdominal discomfort, and bloating.
Sometimes, constipation is not a disease but a symptom of another health condition.
Causes of constipation include low fiber intake, dehydration or inadequate fluid intake, metabolic disturbances (abnormal chemical reactions), medications, and medical abnormalities.
The prevalence of constipation is 15% in the general population, with a higher female-to-male ratio and a higher prevalence in people 65 and older than those younger than 65.
Lifestyle modifications can help in the initial management of constipation. They include lifestyle and dietary changes such as eating a high-fiber diet, drinking more water, eating more fruits, exercising, and increasing physical activity.
When dietary and lifestyle changes do not improve symptoms, laxatives usually are recommended. Laxatives are the drugs that help to ease constipation.
Various forms include OTC and prescription laxatives.
What Is Dulcolax?
Dulcolax is an OTC stimulant laxative drug for treating short-term or irregular constipation in adults and children. Children should only use Dulcolax under the advice of a healthcare provider.
Dulcolax tablets may be used in children 6 years and over. Dulcolax suppositories may also be used in children 6 and older.
Dulcolax is also used under medical supervision to empty the bowels before intestinal surgeries or other procedures, including colonoscopies and X-rays.
Dulcolax works by stimulating (increasing) bowel muscle activity while accumulating water to hydrate in the intestines. This activity softens the stool and makes it easy to pass.
All sold OTC, the Dulcolax brand contains one of three active ingredients: bisacodyl, magnesium hydroxide, or docusate sodium. These ingredients all work in different ways to expedite bowel movements.
However, this article will focus on the forms of Dulcolax containing bisacodyl.
How Quickly Does Dulcolax Start to Work?
Dulcolax tablets usually cause a bowel movement within six to 12 hours of consumption. Dulcolax suppositories work even quicker, taking 10 to 45 minutes to produce a bowel movement.
The oral tablet should be taken in the evening, before the first bowel movement of the day, when intestinal activity is usually highest.
The mean plasma elimination half‐life (the time a drug takes to eliminate half the dose from the body) is estimated to be around eight hours for bisacodyl tablets.
Not intended for long-term use, Dulcolax products should be used no more often than once a day.
How Effective Are Laxatives?
Overall, stimulant laxatives are effective and safe at easing the symptoms of constipation. Their short duration of action makes them an ideal choice for managing constipation.
Dulcolax treatment options for constipation have proven more effective (with demonstrated efficacy) when compared with placebo or stimulant laxatives, especially regarding Dulcolax products containing bisacodyl or sodium picosulfate.
Compared to other laxatives, one meta-analysis concluded bisacodyl improves the number of bowel movements per week in people with chronic constipation.
Dosing Overview
Dulcolax is available in different dosage forms and doses for different people.
Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines on how and when to take a medicine to avoid adverse effects.
Common forms of Dulcolax include:
Film-coated tablets: 5 milligrams (mg)
Rectal suppository: 10 mg
Dosage | Film-Coated Tablets | Rectal Suppositories |
Adults and children 12 and over | One to three tablets in a single daily dose | One suppository in a single daily dose |
Children ages 6 to 12 | One tablet in a single daily dose | One-half suppository in a single daily dose |
Children under 6 years old | Ask a healthcare provider | Ask a healthcare provider |
For safety's sake, never use more than the recommended dose. Furthermore, when using the oral tablet version, do not chew or break the tablets. Swallow whole with water.
The suppositories are for rectal use only.
Side Effects and Safety
OTC laxatives, including Dulcolax, are typically considered safe and effective when used according to the label's guidelines.
However, some people may experience a few side effects.
Common Side Effects
Some common side effects of Dulcolax include:
Stomach discomfort
These symptoms usually go away. Call your healthcare provider if the symptoms do not subside or if they get worse.
Severe Side Effects
Sometimes, Dulcolax causes severe side effects such as rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement.
Immediately call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms.
Who Shouldn't Take Dulcolax?
Tell your healthcare provider before using Dulcolax if you have any of the following conditions:
Change in bowel movements lasting longer than two weeks
Electrolyte imbalance or severe dehydration
Hemorrhoids or anal fissures (small tears in the skin tissues around the rectum)
A history of perforation (a hole or tear) in the intestines
Call your healthcare provider:
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding
If you have a child younger than 6 years old
If allergic to bisacodyl or any other ingredient of the product
Potential for Interaction
OTC laxatives, such as Dulcolax, usually have low drug-drug interaction ratios.
However, telling your healthcare provider about all the prescription and non-prescription drugs you take is essential.
Drugs that may interact with Dulcolax include:
Diuretics (drugs that reduce fluid buildup in the body), such as Oretic (hydrochlorothiazide)
Adrenocorticosteroids (drugs used for the control of the body's glucose metabolism), such as Cortef (hydrocortisone) and Rayos (prednisone)
Cardiac glycosides (drugs for treating heart failure and arrythmias (irregular heartbeats), such as Digitek (digoxin)
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (drugs used to reduce stomach acid), such as Prevacid (lansoprazole) and Prilosec (omeprazole)
Moreover, if you take antacids after drinking or eating dairy products, wait at least one hour before taking Dulcolax.
Finally, do not take a laxative within two hours of taking any other drug. It may reduce the effectiveness of either drug.
Summary
Constipation is a condition that almost everyone experiences at one point or another.
Sometimes, it is occasional or episodic and fades following adaptive lifestyle changes. However, chronic constipation requires medical treatment, including medicines and surgical procedures.
The common causes of constipation include less fiber and less fluid intake, a sedentary lifestyle, and diseases or medications.
Its symptoms include hard stools, difficulty or pain passing a stool, or inadequate bowel movement. You can improve your symptoms by making dietary and lifestyle changes before taking medication.
Dulcolax is a stimulant laxative that works relatively quickly after use. It has minimal side effects when used as recommended.
Specifically, Dulcolax tablets take six to 12 hours to work. Dulcolax suppositories take 10 to 45 minutes to work.
The efficacy and effectiveness of this drug make it a first-line treatment for constipation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I safely store Dulcolax?
Store Dulcolax at room temperature (68 to 77 degrees F) and protect it from excessive humidity. Also, avoid using Dulcolax if the individual blister pack is open or torn.
Keep all medicines away from the sight and reach of children and pets. Discard unwanted medications properly.
What nondrug options exist for resolving constipation?
The initial management of constipation involves lifestyle changes for a regular bowel movement.
Dietary modifications include a high-fiber diet, adequate water intake, regular exercise, and physical activity, which can improve constipation.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
