Experiences with
Bisacodyl

ContraindicationsHow it's used (previously Dosage and administration)Side effectsPregnancyInteractions

Bisacodyl is not suitable for some people. For example, check with your doctor if you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Bisacodyl comes as tablets and suppositories that you usually take once a day. Always follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Common side effects of bisacodyl include feeling sick and diarrhoea. More serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

Bisacodyl is not the first-choice laxative if you're pregnant. Always check with a pharmacist or doctor.

Bisacodyl tablets or suppositories are not generally recommended if you're pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether bisacodyl is right for you.

Constipation is common in pregnancy and can sometimes be treated with diet and lifestyle changes. Eating more fibre, drinking plenty of fluids, and increasing exercise levels can all help.

If a medicine is needed, lactulose or Fybogel are usually recommended first. If these do not work, a doctor will be able to advise you on what to try next.

It can cause problems to take bisacodyl with some other medicines, such as steroids. Check with a doctor or pharmacist.

Who can take bisacodyl

Most adults, aged 18 years and over, can take bisacodyl tablets and use suppositories.

Young people aged 12 to 17 years can take bisacodyl tablets and use suppositories if a doctor or pharmacist says it's OK.

Children aged 11 years and under can take bisacodyl tablets and use bisacodyl suppositories if a doctor prescribes them.

Who may not be able to take bisacodyl

Bisacodyl is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take it if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to bisacodyl or any other medicine
have signs of dehydration – these include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee
have severe stomach pain and you're feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
have a serious problem in your stomach (abdomen) such as appendicitis
have a blockage in your bowel (intestinal obstruction)
have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
have a problem with the muscles in your bowel not being able to move food and liquid along
are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding

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 (bottom)

How to take or use bisacodyl

Take bisacodyl tablets once a day just before bedtime.

You can take them with or without food. Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not take them with milk.

Do not take bisacodyl tablets at the same time as:

dairy products such as 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. This is because they will stop the medicine working properly.

How to use suppositories

Read the instructions in the leaflet inside the package. They will explain how to use the suppository.

Take the wrapping off and push a suppository gently into your bottom (anus).

Suppositories work quickly (usually between 10 and 45 minutes), so use it when you are near a toilet.

Common side effects of bisacodyl

These common side effects of bisacodyl happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Try taking bisacodyl with some food. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food.

Stop taking bisacodyl and drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash. 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.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Reduce your dose of bisacodyl or stop taking it until these side effects go away.

Try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or a covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Bisacodyl and pregnancy

Bisacodyl tablets or suppositories are not generally recommended if you're pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether bisacodyl is right for you.

Constipation is common in pregnancy and can sometimes be treated with diet and lifestyle changes. Eating more fibre, drinking plenty of fluids, and increasing exercise levels can all help.

If a medicine is needed, lactulose or Fybogel are usually recommended first. If these do not work, a doctor will be able to advise you on what to try next.

Bisacodyl and breastfeeding

If diet and lifestyle changes, such as eating more fibre, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising, do not work, it's OK to take or use bisacodyl if you're breastfeeding. Always take or use it for the shortest time needed.

Drinking plenty of fluids is also important to help with breast milk supply.

There's not much information about bisacodyl while breastfeeding, but it's not thought to pass into breast milk. It should not cause any side effects in your baby.

Talk to your health visitor, midwife, doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any concerns about your baby, including if they:

are not feeding as well as usual
have diarrhoea
seem irritable

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines, and some foods, affect the way bisacodyl works.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking any other medicines, including:

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 get the serious side effects of digoxin
indigestion remedies (antacids) – these stop bisacodyl tablets working properly. They can take the protective coating off the tablet causing bisacodyl to 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.

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with bisacodyl. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Taking bisacodyl with other laxatives

For most people, using 1 laxative will be enough to make your constipation better.

Occasionally, you may need to use 2 different types of laxatives at the same time to get your bowels moving again. Only use 2 laxatives together if your doctor or pharmacist tells you to, as this increases the risk of side effects.