What happens if you take dulcolax everyday

Bulk-forming laxatives, such as Fybogel and methylcellulose, increase the "bulk" or weight of poo, which in turn stimulates bowel movement. They take 2 or 3 days to work. Osmotic laxatives, such as lactulose , draw water from the rest of the body into your bowel to soften your poo and make it easier for you to go to the toilet.

They take at least 2 days to work. Stimulant laxatives, like senna , stimulate the muscles that line your gut, helping them to move poo along your gut to your anus bottom. Senna takes about 8 hours to work. There's no evidence to suggest that taking bisacodyl will reduce fertility in either men or women.

But if you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Do not take bisacodyl at the same time as dairy products like milk, cheese or yoghurt.

The small amount of milk in coffee and tea will not affect your bisacodyl tablets. If you're constipated it's a good idea to stop eating pastries, cakes, puddings and cheese for a while, as foods high in fat can make constipation worse. It's quite common to have constipation after surgery.

Using a laxative may help. If you have constipation after an operation, it's better to use lactulose because it is gentler than bisacodyl. You can get it on prescription or buy it from pharmacies. You can often improve constipation without having to use laxatives.

Before trying bisacodyl, or to stop your constipation coming back, it may help to:. Page last reviewed: 14 June Next review due: 14 June Bisacodyl - Brand name: Dulcolax On this page About bisacodyl Key facts Who can and cannot take bisacodyl How and when to take or use bisacodyl Side effects How to cope with side effects of bisacodyl Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about bisacodyl.

About bisacodyl Bisacodyl is a laxative. Before trying bisacodyl, it's better to try other ways to help your constipation by: having more fibre in your diet and drinking more water exercising Only use bisacodyl if you have tried other types of laxatives first such as: bulk-forming laxatives like Fybogel ispaghula husk and methylcellulose osmotic laxatives like lactulose and polyethylene glycol.

Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Bisacodyl tablets take 6 to 12 hours to work. The suppositories take 10 to 45 minutes to work, so it's best to stay close to a toilet after you've used them.

The most common side effects are feeling sick nausea , diarrhoea, stomach pain or cramps. Only give bisacodyl to children and young people if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it.

Do not take bisacodyl tablets or use bisacodyl suppositories every day for more than 5 days. Bisacodyl can be used by most adults aged 18 years and over.

Important Only give bisacodyl to someone under the age of 18 if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have: ever had an allergic reaction to bisacodyl or any other medicine signs of dehydration — these include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee severe stomach pain and you are feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting a serious problem in your stomach abdomen such as appendicitis a blockage in your bowel intestinal obstruction , ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease a problem with the muscles in your bowel not being able to move food and liquid along 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.

Dosage for tablets Bisacodyl tablets you buy self-treatment The usual dose for adults and young people aged 12 years and over is 5mg to 10mg, taken once a day at bedtime. Important: Information for ages 12 to 17 Only give bisacodyl tablets that you buy to someone aged 12 to 17 years if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it. Bisacodyl tablets prescribed by a doctor The usual starting dose for adults, and children aged 4 years and over, is 5mg, taken once a day at bedtime. Dosage for suppositories The usual dose for: adults — one 10mg suppository, used once a day in the morning children aged 2 to 17 years — one 5mg or 10mg suppository, used once a day in the morning on doctor's advice only How to take tablets Take the medicine once a day just before bedtime.

Do not take bisacodyl tablets at the same time as: dairy products like 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.

How to use suppositories Read the instructions in the leaflet inside the package. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? If you're worried, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Common side effects Common side effects, which happen in more than 1 in people, are: feeling sick nausea diarrhoea stomach pain or cramps These side effects are mild and usually go away after a couple of days. Serious side effects Call your doctor straight away if these rare side effects happen to you: feeling dizzy blood in your poo being sick vomiting Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to bisacodyl.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sick — try taking bisacodyl with some food. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food. 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. Bisacodyl and pregnancy Bisacodyl tablets or suppositories are not generally recommended if you are pregnant. Bisacodyl and breastfeeding If your doctor or midwife recommends bisacodyl, rather than lactulose or Fybogel, it's OK to use it while you're breastfeeding.

But this should be under strict medical supervision, and after discussions with your doctor about when to start and stop treatment. Bloated stomach? Straining to pass stools? Our digestive systems are sensitive, and are easily affected by changes in routine, stress and anxiety. If you find yourself getting constipated when you're stressed, you're definitely not alone. For Canadian residents only.

How often should I be going to the bathroom? Do women suffer from constipation more often than men? Do laxatives help with weight loss? All medicines have risks and benefits. If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This leaflet was last updated on the date at the end of this leaflet.

More recent information may be available. The latest Consumer Medicine Information is available from your pharmacist, doctor, or from www. Under medical supervision, Dulcolax can be used for the evacuation of the bowel before a radiological examination or as an enema alternative. Dulcolax works by acting on the lining of the lower bowel to stimulate movement and promotes accumulation of water into the bowel to produce soft formed stools.

Dulcolax is ineffective in altering the digestion or absorption of calories in the small intestine and therefore does not assist with weight loss. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason. If you are uncertain as to whether you have, or have had, any of these conditions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 6 years. Dulcolax should only be used in children over the age of 6 years on medical advice.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

These medicines may be affected by Dulcolax or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or may need to take different medicines. Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved. Dulcolax does not pass into breast milk and can be used during breastfeeding. Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

Do not take Dulcolax tablets together with medicines that lower acidity of the upper gastrointestinal tract stomach. These medicines include antacids, and a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. If you think you may be taking any of these medicines, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take milk or antacids within 1 hour of taking Dulcolax tablets. These may affect how well Dulcolax tablets work. Adults and children over 10 years: One or two Dulcolax tablets at night. It is recommended to start with the lowest dose. The dose may be adjusted up to the maximum recommended dose to produce regular stools.

The maximum daily dose should not be exceeded. Children 6 to 10 years: One Dulcolax tablet at night. Children 6 to 10 years with chronic constipation should only be treated under medical supervision. Adults and children over 10 years: Two Dulcolax tablets at night followed by one standard Dulcolax suppository 10 mg the following morning. OR Where the above is not possible, use two standard Dulcolax suppositories 2 x 10 mg. If your doctor or pharmacist has changed the recommended dose, you should ask for further information from your doctor or pharmacist.

Dulcolax is recommended for short-term use only.