Dulcolax 5 mg Tablet

Who is this for?

Bisacodyl is a laxative that works by stimulating the muscles in your intestines to push stool along, and it also helps draw water into the bowel to soften the stool so it's easier to pass.

Activates colonic mucosal neurons and increases intestinal muscle contractions by stimulating local neural plexuses, promoting peristalsis and accelerating faecal transit through the colon.

Is Bisacodyl safe to take with another drug?

For adults, take 1 to 2 tablets (5–10 mg) at bedtime with a glass of water. Swallow the tablet whole — do not crush, chew, or break it. Do not take it with milk or antacids. It usually works within 6 to 12 hours, so taking it at night means you should be able to go to toilet in the morning. For suppositories, insert one 10 mg suppository into the anus; it works within 15 to 60 minutes.

Bisacodyl is usually taken only when needed for constipation, not on a regular schedule. If your doctor told you to take it regularly and you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it's almost morning, skip it and take the next dose at bedtime. Do not take two doses at once.

• Stomach cramps or belly pain
• diarrhoea or watery stool
• feeling of nausea (wanting to vomit)
• bloating or gas
• mild discomfort around the anus (especially with suppositories)

Do not take bisacodyl with milk or antacids (like magnesium trisilicate) — they can dissolve the tablet's coating too early and cause serious stomach irritation. If you are taking water tablets (diuretics like furosemide), using bisacodyl alongside them can make you lose too much water and important body salts. Long-term use with heart medications like digoxin can be dangerous because it may lower your potassium levels.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — this is especially important in hot Nigerian weather. Keep the tablets in their original pack and away from moisture. Always keep out of reach of children.