Bisacodyl Usage

Bisacodyl is used in the treatment of constipation.

How Bisacodyl works

Bisacodyl directly increases the motility of the intestine, thereby making the stool soft and easier to pass.

Common side effects of Bisacodyl

Dehydration

Expert advice for Bisacodyl

• Together with Bisacodyl, fiber rich diet containing whole grain bread and cereals, bran, fruits and green leafy vegetables, is essential to maintain healthy bowel function.
• Avoid taking a Bisacodyl for more than 1 week, unless prescribed by the doctor, as it leads to dependency on the laxative action to produce a bowel movement. 
• Take Bisacodyl after 2 hours from other medicines, as it may interfere with the absorption of other medicines.
• Bisacodyl should be preferably taken at bedtime because it requires 6 to 8 hours to show impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. Is Bisacodyl a stimulant laxative?
Bisacodyl belongs to a group of medicines known as stimulant laxatives which increases bowel movements. Bisacodyl is used for recent or long-term constipation. Bisacodyl can also be used to clear the bowels before surgery, labor or radiological investigation.

Ques. Q. Is Bisacodyl safe for long term use?
Bisacodyl is recommended to be used only for five days if the cause of constipation is not known. Please consult your doctor regarding its use and use it for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Bisacodyl safe?
Bisacodyl is safe if you use it for a prescribed duration and dose as recommended by your doctor. In the case of any side effects, consult your doctor.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl cause nausea?
Nausea is a common side effect of Bisacodyl. Please consult your doctor if you experience excessive nausea while taking Bisacodyl.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl cause cancer?
Bisacodyl has not been reported to cause any type of cancer. Please consult your doctor in case you have any further questions on this topic.

Ques. Q. Is Bisacodyl available over the counter?
Bisacodyl is not an over the counter (OTC) drug. It belongs to a class of prescription drugs and should only be taken when advised by a doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Bisacodyl habit forming?
Bisacodyl is not habit forming. However, as with all laxatives, Bisacodyl should be taken for a duration as recommended by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Bisacodyl effective?
Bisacodyl is effective if used for an approved indication at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Bisacodyl addictive?
Bisacodyl is not addictive. However, as with all laxatives, Bisacodyl should be taken for a duration as advised by your doctor. When the bowel regularity returns to normal, medicine can usually be stopped. If you need laxatives every day or if you have abdominal pain which does not go away even after taking the medicine, you should consult your doctor.

Ques. Q. Can I take Bisacodyl for constipation?
Bisacodyl is used for the treatment of recent or long term constipation. Bisacodyl can also be used to clear the bowels before surgery, labour or radiological investigation.Bisacodyl belongs to a group of medicines known as stimulant laxatives. Stimulant laxatives increase bowel movements, thus help in relieving constipation.

Ques. Q. Can I take Bisacodyl with docusate sodium?
Bisacodyl and docusate sodium both belong to a group of medicines called laxatives and hence work similarly. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two, so it may be safe to use them together. However, please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together as it may not be very useful to taken them together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Bisacodyl with prednisone?
Bisacodyl can be taken with prednisone. However, Bisacodyl can affect the absorption of any medicine taken along with it as it can affect the way a medicine would work. Please consult your doctor before taking any medicine with Bisacodyl.

Ques. Q. Can I take Bisacodyl with senna?
Bisacodyl and senna both belong to a group of medicines called laxatives. However, no drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. This does not mean that interactions cannot occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can the use of Bisacodyl help lose weight?
Bisacodyl does not cause weight loss. Please consult your doctor in case you experience weight loss while taking Bisacodyl or you need treatment for weight management.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl soften stools?
Bisacodyl belongs to a group of medicines known as stimulant laxatives that increase bowel movements for the removal of stools. Bisacodyl is different from stool softeners as they work by allowing passage of water into the stool mass and softening them.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl expire?
Yes, Bisacodyl does expire. All the medicines come with an expiry date mentioned on the pack. You must check the expiry date before using any medicine.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Bisacodyl. Please consult your doctor if you experience intolerable diarrhea with Bisacodyl.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl cause cramping?
Abdominal cramps or pain is a common side effect of Bisacodyl. Please consult your doctor if you experience cramps while taking Bisacodyl.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl cause bloating (general swelling that may cause increased abdominal size)?
Bloating has not been observed with Bisacodyl. However, Bisacodyl may cause abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Please consult your doctor if you experience bloating with Bisacodyl.

Ques. Q. Can the use of Bisacodyl cause melanosis coli?
Bisacodyl belongs to diphenylmethane derived stimulant laxatives and has not been reported to cause melanosis coli. This condition may develop in patients who chronically ingest anthraquinone-containing stimulant laxatives. In this condition, a dark pigment gets deposited in the lamina propria (one of the lining layers in the wall) of the large intestine (colon). Please consult your doctor if you have any symptoms of melanosis coli while taking Bisacodyl.

Ques. Q. Does Bisacodyl get you high?
Bisacodyl has not been reported to get you high. Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative used for recent or long-term constipation. Bisacodyl can also be used to clear the bowels before surgery, labor or any radiological investigation.