Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)

Category:

  • Gastrointestinal

Description:

  • Stimulant Laxative

Indications:

  • Short term treatment of constipation

  • Bowel prep for surgery or examination

Contraindications:

  • Rectal fissures, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, appendicitis

  • Abdominal obstruction, fecal impaction, acute hepatitis

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category B

  • Do not take within 1 hour of antacids or milk

  • Glucose reading low with Clinistix, Diastix; not effect on Tes-tape

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • Gastrointestinal: anorexia, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

  • Metabolic: alkalosis, hypokalemia, protein-losing enteropathy, tetany

  • Muscle weakness

Dosage:

Oral tablet 5mg

Rectal suppository 10mg

  • Adult: 

    • Oral; 

      • 5-15mg

    • PR 

      • 10mg

      • up to 30mg for bowel or rectal preparation

  •  Child: 

    • Oral

      • 5-10mg (or 0.3mg/kg) for age >3

    • PR 

      • 5-10mg age 2-11

      • 5mg < age 2

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
All Rights Reserved