Bisacodyl (INN) is a stimulant laxative drug. It is typically prescribed for relief of constipation and for the management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Bisacodyl is a diphenylmethane derivative and was first used as a laxative in 1953 due to its similarity to phenolphthalein.1
Available forms
Bisacodyl is sold under the trade names Dulcolax, Fleet, Alophen, Correctol, and Carter's Little Pills as well as generically. It is usually sold as 5mg tablets, 10mg suppositories, or 5mg pediatric suppositories.
Administration
When bisacodyl is administered orally, it is usually taken at bedtime, but when it is administered rectally, it is usually taken in the morning. This is due to the relatively long onset of the drug when taken orally (around 6-10 hours) compared to when it is taken rectally (around 15-60 minutes). This drug is often used by people suffering from bulimia nervosa. The largest amount of this drug known to be taken at one time and not to cause any serious health disorders is 180 5mg tablets (the total amount of drug intake equal to 900mg)citation needed. Bisacodyl is also sometimes used before and after a colonoscopy.2
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Wexner, SD; Beck, DE; Baron, TH; Fanelli, RD; Hyman, N; Shen, B; Wasco, KE; American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons; American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (June 2006). "A consensus document on bowel preparation before colonoscopy: prepared by a task force from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)". Gastrointest Endosc. 63 (7): 894–909. ISSN 0016-5107. PMID 16733101.
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