DULCOLAX 5/MG TAB 40/TAB

Indications

Approved Uses

Short‑term relief of occasional constipation; bowel evacuation/cleansing as part of preparation for diagnostic procedures or surgery when directed.

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Adults_and_children_12_years_and_over: 5-10 mg orally once daily, preferably at bedtime.
Children_6_to_under_12_years: 5 mg orally once daily at bedtime (use under medical advice).
Children_under_6_years: Not recommended.

Initial Dose

5-10 mg orally once daily at bedtime.

Maintenance Dose

5-10mg once daily as needed; not intended for long-term daily use

Maximum Dose

Adults and ≥12 years: 5-10 mg orally once daily (maximum 10 mg/day) for constipation; children 6-11 years: 5 mg once daily (maximum 5 mg/day).

Dose Adjustment Notes

No specific renal/hepatic dose adjustment is generally required, but use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration; do not use longer than 7 days (often 5-7 days) unless directed by a clinician due to risk of electrolyte imbalance and laxative dependence with prolonged use.

How to Take

Swallow the enteric‑coated tablet whole with a full glass of water; do not crush, chew, or split. Take preferably at bedtime for an effect the next morning. Avoid taking within 1 hour of antacids or milk/dairy (and other acid‑reducing agents) to prevent premature dissolution of the enteric coating.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Abdominal cramping/pain, diarrhea, nausea; less commonly vomiting.

Side Effect Frequency

Common: abdominal pain/cramps, diarrhea, nausea. Other reported: vomiting, dizziness, syncope, haematochezia, dehydration, hypersensitivity reactions; with prolonged/excess use-electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia).

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to bisacodyl/excipients; intestinal obstruction or ileus; acute surgical abdomen/acute abdominal conditions (e.g., appendicitis) or severe abdominal pain with nausea/vomiting; severe dehydration.

Warnings & Precautions

Do not use longer than ~5-7 days without medical advice; swallow tablets whole (do not crush/chew); avoid taking within 1 hour of antacids, milk/dairy, or acid-suppressing agents; overuse may cause dehydration/electrolyte imbalance and dependence-like use; stop and seek medical advice for rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or no bowel movement after use.

Driving Warning

Caution advised; may cause dizziness/syncope due to vasovagal response (e.g., abdominal spasm); avoid driving if abdominal spasm occurs.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

Avoid taking within 1 hour of antacids, milk/dairy, or acid-suppressing agents (H2 blockers/PPIs) due to premature dissolution of the enteric coating; caution with diuretics or systemic corticosteroids (↑ hypokalemia risk with excessive/prolonged use); hypokalemia may increase digoxin/cardiac glycoside toxicity risk.

Interaction Severity

MODERATE: Antacids, milk/dairy, and other acid‑reducing agents (e.g., H2 blockers, PPIs) may cause premature dissolution of the enteric coating-separate by at least 1 hour. MODERATE: Diuretics and systemic corticosteroids-additive risk of hypokalemia/dehydration with laxative overuse. MODERATE: Cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin)-hypokalemia from excessive laxative use can increase toxicity risk.

Food Interaction

Avoid taking within 1 hour of milk/dairy; preferably take with water (often at bedtime) and avoid coadministration with antacids/acid-suppressing agents that can dissolve the enteric coating prematurely.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Caution

Elderly

Standard adult dosing; use the lowest effective dose and shortest duration due to increased risk of electrolyte disturbances and dehydration

Storage & Patient Advice

Stopping the Medicine

Safe to stop anytime; no tapering required. Not intended for long-term daily use-seek medical advice if constipation persists or if use is needed beyond ~5-7 days.

Overdose

Overdose may cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbances (notably hypokalemia); management is supportive with fluid/electrolyte replacement and medical evaluation (no specific antidote).

Patient Counseling

Swallow the 5 mg enteric‑coated tablet whole with water; do not crush/chew/split. Take at bedtime; expect a bowel movement in ~6-12 hours. Do not take within 1 hour of milk/dairy, antacids, or acid‑reducing medicines. Use short term only; avoid continuous use beyond 5-7 days unless advised by a clinician. Maintain hydration; stop and seek medical advice for severe/persistent abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or no bowel movement after use.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring for short-term use; monitor electrolytes (potassium, sodium) if used long-term or in at-risk patients

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Stimulant laxative that is converted in the colon to an active metabolite which stimulates colonic enteric nerves to increase peristalsis and promotes fluid/electrolyte secretion into the lumen, facilitating stool passage.

Onset of Action

Oral enteric‑coated tablet: about 6-12 hours.

Duration of Effect

Typically produces a bowel movement in about 6-12 hours after an oral enteric‑coated tablet dose.

Bioavailability

Minimal systemic absorption; oral bioavailability is very low (generally reported as <5%).

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Enteric-coated tablet, Rectal suppository, Rectal enema.

Composition per Dose

Each enteric-coated tablet: 5mg bisacodyl

Generic Availability

Yes

Gi Condition

Constipation

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