Adult Dosing

Constipation

bisacodyl (generic)

• 5-15 mg PO Daily
• Max: 30 mg/day as a single dose

Dulcolax for Women, Dulcolax Tablets, Fleet Stimulant Laxative

• 5-15 mg PO Daily

Bowel preparation

bisacodyl (generic)

• 10-20mg, Up to 30 mg PO x 1

Pediatric Dosing

Constipation

bisacodyl (generic)

• > 6 yrs: 5-10 mg PO Daily; Alt: 0.3 mg/kg PO Daily. Max: 30 mg/day

Dulcolax for Women, Dulcolax Tablets, Fleet Stimulant Laxative

• 6-12 yrs: 1 tab PO qd PRN

• Treatment of constipation
• Evacuation of the bowel before radiologic studies or surgery
• Preparation for surgery

• Hypersensitivity
• Acute abdomen
• Abdominal pain, undiagnosed
• GI perforation
• GI obstruction or ileus
• Gastroenteritis
• Toxic megacolon
• Rectal bleeding
• Appendicitis
• Nausea or vomiting (especially with fever or other signs of an acute abdomen)
• Hemorrhoids

• N/A

Renal Dose Adjustment

• Dosage adjustment not defined

Hepatic Dose Adjustment

• Dosage adjustment not defined

• Long-term use may lead to laxative dependency. Long-term abuse results in cathartic colon. Do not use > 1 wk
• Avoid use within 1 hr of antacids or milk as enteric coating of tablets may dissolve resulting in gastric irritation or gastric indigestion
• Rectal bleeding or failure to produce bowel movement may require medical attention
• Advise patients to incorporate high fiber foods in diet, increase fluid intake and increase or maintain exercise level

Cautions: Use cautiously in

• Severe cardiovascular disease
• Prolonged use
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Pregnancy Category:B

Breastfeeding: Safety unknown. Due to low absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, it would not be expected to be excreted in maternal serum or breastmilk. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 7 May 2010).

• CV: Palpitations
• CNS: Dizzinss, fainting
• GI: Excessive bowel activity (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), abdominal cramping, perianal irritation, bloating, flatulence
• MISC: Sweating, weakness

• Mechanism of action: Stimulates peristalsis
• ~ 15% absorbed from GI tract
• Metabolized by liver
• Primarily excreted in feces; minimal in urine
• Half-life: Unknown

US Trade Name(s)

• Dulcolax for Women
• Dulcolax Tablets
• Fleet Stimulant Laxative

US Availability

bisacodyl (generic)

• TABS: 5 mg

Dulcolax for Women, Dulcolax Tablets, Fleet Stimulant Laxative

• OTC TABS: 5 mg

Canadian Trade Name(s)

• Bisacolax
• Carter's Little Pills
• Codulax
• Correctol Laxative
• Dulcolax
• Soflax-EX 5
• Women's Laxative

Canadian Availability

bisacodyl (generic)

• TABS: 5 mg

Bisacolax, Carter's Little Pills, Codulax, Correctol Laxative, Dulcolax, Soflax-EX 5, Women's Laxative

• TABS: 5 mg

UK Trade Name(s)

• Dulcolax

UK Availability

bisacodyl (generic)

• TABS: 5 mg

Dulcolax

• TABS: 5 mg

Australian Trade Name(s)

• Bisalax
• Dulcolax
• Lax-Tab

Australian Availability

Bisalax, Dulcolax

• TABS: 5 mg

Lax-Tab

• TABS: 5 mg

Gastrointestinal

GI Agents; Miscellaneous

Stimulant Laxatives