LAXOCODYL 10/MG SUPP FOR ADULTS 10/SUPP

Indications

Approved Uses

Short-term relief of constipation; bowel evacuation/preparation before diagnostic procedures or surgery when required.

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Constipation (adults): 1 suppository (10 mg) rectally once daily as needed. Bowel preparation/evacuation: use as directed by the procedure protocol (often 10 mg rectally as a single dose, sometimes in combination with oral agents).

Initial Dose

One 10mg suppository, used once daily as needed.

Maintenance Dose

1 suppository (10mg) rectally once daily as needed; not intended for long-term daily use

Maximum Dose

Rectal use: Insert 1 suppository (10 mg) into the rectum once daily as needed; do not use more than 1 suppository in 24 hours.

Children's Dosage

Children 6 to under 12 years: ½ suppository (5 mg) once daily; children under 6 years: consult a doctor. Children over 12 years: 10 mg suppository once daily.

Dose Adjustment Notes

No dose adjustment is generally required; avoid prolonged or daily continuous use (typically >7 days) without medical supervision due to risk of dependence/electrolyte imbalance and to evaluate underlying causes.

How to Take

For rectal use only: remove the suppository from the blister/foil, insert one suppository into the rectum (typically pointed end first) as far as comfortable; it may help to lie on your side during insertion and try to retain it until the urge to defecate (usually 15-60 minutes).

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Abdominal cramps, rectal burning or irritation, diarrhea, nausea, rectal discomfort

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to bisacodyl/excipients; intestinal obstruction/ileus; acute surgical abdomen (e.g., appendicitis) or severe acute abdominal pain with nausea/vomiting; severe dehydration; acute inflammatory bowel disease; for suppositories: proctitis/rectal inflammation and painful anorectal conditions (e.g., anal fissure, ulcerated hemorrhoids) and unexplained rectal bleeding.

Warnings & Precautions

Do not use for more than 7 days without medical advice; avoid use with severe abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, or suspected obstruction/acute abdomen; stop and seek advice if rectal bleeding occurs or constipation persists/sudden change in bowel habits lasts >2 weeks; maintain hydration and avoid chronic use due to dependence/electrolyte imbalance risk.

Age Restriction

Adults and children 12 years of age and over: 1 suppository (10 mg) in a single daily dose; children 6 to under 12 years: ½ suppository (5 mg) in a single daily dose; children under 6 years: ask a doctor.

Driving Warning

Safe

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

Clinically relevant: diuretics and systemic corticosteroids (↑ risk of hypokalemia/electrolyte imbalance); digoxin (hypokalemia may increase toxicity risk); other laxatives (additive diarrhea/electrolyte loss). Antacids/PPIs/milk interactions apply to enteric-coated oral tablets and are not relevant to rectal suppositories.

Interaction Severity

MODERATE: drugs that increase hypokalemia risk (e.g., diuretics, systemic corticosteroids) and digoxin (hypokalemia may increase toxicity). MINOR/CAUTION: other laxatives (additive diarrhea/dehydration).

Food Interaction

Not applicable for this rectal suppository; food/milk/antacid timing interactions apply to oral enteric-coated bisacodyl tablets, not rectal use.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Consult Doctor

Children

Children 6 to under 12 years: ½ suppository (5 mg) once daily; children under 6 years: consult a doctor. Children over 12 years: 10 mg suppository once daily.

Elderly

Standard adult dosing; use with caution due to increased risk of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration; ensure adequate fluid intake

Kidney Impairment

No adjustment needed

Liver Impairment

No adjustment needed

Storage & Patient Advice

Missed Dose

Usually used as needed; if prescribed on a schedule and a dose is missed, skip it and use the next scheduled dose-do not use two suppositories at once.

Stopping the Medicine

Can be stopped at any time; no tapering required, and it is not intended for long-term daily use (seek medical advice if constipation persists).

Overdose

Symptoms: abdominal cramps, profuse diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbances (notably hypokalemia). Management: stop the drug, provide supportive care with fluid/electrolyte replacement; seek urgent medical care if severe/persistent symptoms occur.

Patient Counseling

Use for short-term constipation only; insert 1 suppository rectally and expect a bowel movement in 15-60 minutes. Do not use longer than ~7 days without medical advice; maintain adequate fluids. Seek care if severe abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, rectal bleeding, or no bowel movement after use.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring for short-term use; monitor electrolytes (potassium, sodium) with prolonged or frequent use

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Stimulant laxative that stimulates colonic peristalsis and promotes accumulation of water/electrolytes in the colon (via effects on mucosa/enteric nerves), facilitating bowel evacuation.

Onset of Action

15-60 minutes after rectal administration.

Duration of Effect

Typically produces a bowel movement within 15-60 minutes; the laxative effect is generally limited to that episode (hours rather than all day).

Half-Life

Approximately 7-10 hours for the active metabolite (BHPM) in lactating women.

Bioavailability

Minimal systemic absorption after rectal use (generally very low; most effect is local in the colon).

Metabolism

Bisacodyl is a prodrug hydrolyzed by intestinal/colonic (and rectal) enzymes to the active metabolite bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane (BHPM), which is then mainly conjugated (e.g., glucuronidation/sulfation).

Excretion

Primarily excreted in feces; a small absorbed fraction is excreted in urine mainly as glucuronide conjugates (of BHPM).

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Suppository (rectal) for this SFDA-registered product; bisacodyl is also available in other products as enteric-coated tablets and rectal enemas, but those are not this specific item.

Composition per Dose

Each suppository: 10mg bisacodyl

Generic Availability

Yes

OTC Alternatives

OTC alternatives for constipation include bulk-forming agents (psyllium), osmotics (macrogol/PEG, lactulose), stool softeners (docusate), and other stimulant options (senna) or glycerin suppositories.

Gi Condition

Constipation

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