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Bisacodyl

    Brands

    DEA Class; OTC

    Common Brand Names; Dulcolax, Correctol, BisacEvac, Bisacolax, Codulax, Alophen, Feen A Mint, Fleet Stimulant Laxative, Laxit, Modane, Dulcolax for Women, Fleet Bisacodyl Enema, Fleet Bisacodyl Suppository

    •  Laxatives, Stimulant

    Stimulant laxative often used to prepare patients for radiological GI procedures; administered orally or rectally; reclassified in 1996 as a Category III laxative indicating that more data are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of bisacodyl as a laxative.

    Indicated for treatment of occasional constipation.

    Hypersensitivity

    Obstruction or severe impaction

    Symptoms of appendicitis or acute surgical abdomen

    Vomiting

    Rectal bleeding

    Abdominal cramping

    Electrolyte and fluid imbalance

    Excessive diarrhea

    Nausea

    Rectal burning

    Vertigo

    Vomiting

    Avoid chronic use; may cause laxative dependence

    Avoid using in patients with gastroenteritis

    Do not chew tablet; swallow whole

    Not for use within 1 hour of taking antacid or milk

    Not recommended for children < 6 years because of requirement to swallow tablets

    Not to be used for >1 week

    Some dosage forms may contain benzyl alcohol, which has been associated with fatal toxicity in neonates; avoid dosage forms containing benzyl alcohol derivatives in neonates

    Pregnancy

    Plasma concentrations of the active metabolite BHPM are low following doses of 10 mg/day for 7 days; short term use is generally considered safe in pregnancy; avoid long term use

    Lactation

    Not detected in excreted milk following administration of 10 mg/day for 7 days; use with caution

    Adults

    15 mg/day PO or 10 mg/day PR.

    Geriatric

    15 mg/day PO or 10 mg/day PR.

    Adolescents

    15 mg/day PO or 10 mg/day PR.

    Children

    12 years: 10 mg/day PR (suppository or enema) or 15 mg/day PO.
    6 to 11 years: 5 mg/day PR or PO; do not use enema.
    Less than 6 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established. Off-label use has been reported.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Neonates

    Not indicated.

    Bisacodyl 

    tablet, delayed release

    • 5mg

    enema

    • 10mg/30mL

    suppository

    • 10mg