bisacodyl (oral and rectal)

What is the most important information I should know about bisacodyl?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is bisacodyl?

Bisacodyl is a laxative that stimulates bowel movements.

Bisacodyl is used to treat constipation or to empty the bowels before surgery, colonoscopy, x-rays, or other intestinal medical procedure.

Bisacodyl may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using bisacodyl?

• stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or longer;
• hemorrhoids or anal fissures (small tears in the skin tissues around your rectum);
• ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other intestinal disorder;
• a history of perforation (a hole or tear) of your intestines;
• an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia); or
• (for bisacodyl tablets) if you cannot swallow without chewing.

Older adults should not use rectal bisacodyl without a doctor's advice.

How should I use bisacodyl?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Overuse of laxatives can cause your bowels to function improperly, or can make you dependent on laxative use.

In some cases, bisacodyl is taken by mouth. The enema and suppository forms of this medicine are for use in the rectum.

Bisacodyl taken by mouth should produce a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours.

Bisacodyl used in the rectum can produce much faster results. You should have a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes after using a rectal suppository, or within 5 to 20 minutes after using the rectal enema.

Try to empty your bladder just before using bisacodyl in the rectum.

To use the rectal suppository:

• Remove the wrapper from the suppository. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands. If the suppository is soft, you may hold it under cool running water or refrigerate it for a few minutes.
• Lie on your left side with your right knee up toward your chest. Gently insert the suppository into your rectum about 1 inch, pointed tip first.
• Stay lying down for a few minutes. The suppository will melt quickly and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in.
• Do not use more than one rectal suppository per day.

To use the rectal enema:

• Shake the rectal enema before using it. Remove the cap from the enema tip.
• Lie on your left side with your right knee up toward your chest, leaning forward slightly. Gently insert the tip of the enema bottle into your rectum, aiming toward your navel.
• Gently squeeze the bottle until it is empty, and then remove it from your rectum.
• For best results, hold the enema liquid in your rectum for up to 10 minutes. Then empty your rectum while seated on a toilet.

If you are using bisacodyl to prepare for a medical test, follow your doctor's instructions about when to use the medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since bisacodyl is used when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid before or after using bisacodyl?

Avoid using other medications within 2 hours before or 2 hours after using bisacodyl.

What are the possible side effects of bisacodyl?

• rectal bleeding; or
• no bowel movement after using bisacodyl.

Common side effects may include:

• stomach pain or discomfort;
• feeling light-headed; or
• rectal burning.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect bisacodyl?

Other drugs may interact with bisacodyl, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about bisacodyl.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 10/7/2015.