Formulary
Bisacodyl: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Bisacodyl clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
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Bisacodyl: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Bisacodyl clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Constipation**
- **Child** (By Mouth): 4-17 years 5-20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night; increased if necessary up to 20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night.
- **Child** (By Rectum): 2-17 years 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Rectum): 10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the morning.
**Constipation (dose approved**
- **Child** (By Mouth): for use by community practitioner nurse prescribers) 4-17 years 5-20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response (on doctor's advice only).
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night; increased if necessary up to 20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night.
- **Child** (By Rectum): 10-17 years 10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the morning.
- **Adult** (By Rectum): 10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the morning.
**Constipation for bisacodyl**
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth): 5-20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 2-17 years** (By rectum): 5-10 mg once daily, dose to be adjusted according to response.
**Bowel clearance before radiological procedures and surgery for bisacodyl**
- **Child 4-9 years** (Initially by mouth): 5 mg for 1 dose, dose to be taken 2 days before procedure at bedtime, then (by mouth) 5 mg for 1 dose, dose to be taken 1 day before procedure at bedtime, then (by rectum) 5 mg for 1 dose, dose to be administered 1 hour before procedure if required.
- **Child 10-17 years** (Initially by mouth): 10 mg for 1 dose, dose to be taken 2 days before procedure at bedtime, then (by mouth) 10 mg for 1 dose, dose to be taken 1 day before procedure at bedtime, then (by rectum) 10 mg for 1 dose, dose to be administered 1 hour before procedure if required.
**Constipation (dose approved for use by community practitioner nurse prescribers) for bisacodyl**
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth): 5-20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted according to response (on doctor's advice only).
- **Child 4-9 years** (By rectum): 5 mg once daily, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 10-17 years** (By rectum): 10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the morning.
Cautions
Excessive use of stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhoea and related effects such as hypokalaemia; prolonged use may harm intestinal function; risk of electrolyte imbalance with prolonged use
Contraindications
Acute abdominal conditions; acute inflammatory bowel disease; intestinal obstruction; severe dehydration
Side effects
Common or very common Gastrointestinal discomfort; nausea Uncommon Haematochezia; vomiting Rare or very rare Angioedema; colitis; dehydration
Interactions
**Other interactions (2):**
- The concomitant use of diuretics or adreno-corticosteroids may increase the risk of electrolyte imbalance if excessive doses of Bisacodyl are taken.
- The concomitant use of other laxatives may enhance the gastrointestinal side effects of Bisacodyl.
Pregnancy
May be suitable for constipation in pregnancy, if a stimulant effect is necessary.
Medicinal forms
Suspension,Tablet,Suppository
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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