How much dulcolax should i take

Warnings Do not use if you cannot swallow without chewing. Ask a doctor before use if you have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting noticed a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts more than 2 weeks. When using this product do not chew or crush tablet s do not use within 1 hour after taking an antacid or milk it may cause stomach discomfort, faintness and cramps.

Stop use and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding or no bowel movement after using this product. These could be signs of a serious condition. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Your doctor or midwife will advise you to eat more fibre and drink plenty of fluids. It may also help to increase your level of exercise if you can. If diet and lifestyle changes do not work, your doctor or midwife may recommend other laxatives, such as lactulose or Fybogel. These are more suitable to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. If your doctor or midwife recommends bisacodyl, rather than lactulose or Fybogel, it's OK to use it while you're breastfeeding.

It does not seem to pass into breast milk and is very unlikely to affect your baby. As with any medicine, if you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor, midwife or doctor as soon as possible.

There is not enough research to know if complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with bisacodyl. They are not tested in the same way as other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Bisacodyl is known as a stimulant laxative. It relieves constipation by helping your bowel move so you can poo more easily. It also softens your poo. The suppositories can take 10 to 45 minutes, so it's best to stay close to a toilet.

If you take bisacodyl for longer, your body can start to rely on it, rather than your bowels doing the work on their own. It's best to only use bisacodyl occasionally and for a few days at a time. Using laxatives like bisacodyl for longer than this can lead to diarrhoea. It can also cause an electrolyte or salt imbalance, where levels sodium, potassium and magnesium in your body get too high or too low.

A severe electrolyte imbalance can cause serious health problems such as muscle spasm and twitching, and even convulsions. Using bisacodyl for many weeks, even months, could also stop your bowel working properly on its own. If you need to use laxatives every day for longer than 5 days, talk to your doctor. For most people, 1 laxative will be enough to make your constipation better.

Occasionally, you may need to take 2 different types of laxatives at the same time to get your bowels moving again. Only take 2 laxatives together if your doctor or pharmacist tells you to, as this increases the risk of side effects. There are several types of laxative. They work in a different way from bisacodyl but are equally good at treating constipation. 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. To use the suppositories, unwrap and insert high into the rectum with the pointed end first. Then, push the flat end of the suppository sideways so that part of it touches the wall of the rectum. Keep the suppository in the rectum for as long as possible. If inserting the suppository is difficult because you have had anal fissures or hemorrhoids, coat the end of the suppository with a lubricant such as petroleum jelly before inserting.

The suppositories will start to work within 15 minutes to 1 hour. Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not take this medication for longer than one week, unless directed by a health care professional. If you use this medication for one week and you do not produce a bowel movement, contact your doctor immediately. It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor or recommended by your pharmacist.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater e. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired. Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses.

Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time. Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome.

Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Avoid drinking milk or taking an antacid within 1 hour before you take bisacodyl by mouth. Do not crush, chew, or break a bisacodyl tablet. Swallow it whole with a full glass of water.

Bisacodyl taken by mouth should produce a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours. Do not take a rectal suppository or enema by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum. Try to empty your bladder just before using bisacodyl in the rectum. Wash your hands before and after using rectal bisacodyl. Store bisacodyl oral or rectal medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Since bisacodyl is used when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

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