i) As with all laxatives, bisacodyl should not be taken on a continuous daily basis for more than five days without investigating the cause of constipation.
ii) Long-term everyday use of stimulant laxatives may harm the intestinal function and should be avoided. If laxatives are needed every day the cause of the constipation should be investigated. This product should only be used if a therapeutic effect cannot be achieved by a change of diet or the administration of bulk forming agents.
iii) Prolonged excessive use may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalance and hypokalaemia.
iv) Intestinal loss of fluids can promote dehydration. Symptoms may include thirst and oliguria. In patients suffering from fluid loss where dehydration may be harmful (e.g. renal insufficiency, elderly patients) bisacodyl should be discontinued and only be restarted under medical supervision.
v) Stimulant laxatives (including bisacodyl) do not help in long-term weight loss.
vi) Patients may experience haematochezia (blood in stool) that is generally mild and self-limiting.
vii) If the symptoms worsen during the use of the medicinal product, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted.
Dizziness and / or syncope have been reported in patients who have taken bisacodyl. The details available for these cases suggest that the events would be consistent with defaecation syncope (or syncope attributable to straining at stool), or with a vasovagal response to abdominal pain related to the constipation, and not necessarily to the administration of bisacodyl itself.
There have been isolated reports of abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea occurring after taking bisacodyl. Some cases have been shown to be associated with colonic mucosal ischaemia.
Should not be used in children under the age of 12 years.
The leaflet will state:
“ Before you take this medicine” section
Does this help with weight loss?
Stimulant laxatives (including bisacodyl) do not help with weight loss. They do not reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients. They can cause watery stools (diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and dehydration. Dehydration can seem like weight loss.
Overuse of laxatives may damage your health by:
• Causing disturbances of electrolyte and mineral balances. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus are electrolytes and minerals that are present in very specific amounts necessary for proper functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Upsetting this delicate balance can cause incorrect functioning of these vital organs.
• Severe dehydration may cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and, in extreme cases, death. Dehydration often requires medical treatment.
• Overuse of laxatives must be avoided as it may harm the intestinal function.
The labelling will state:
Front of pack:
• Does not help with weight loss.
• Overuse can be harmful.
This medicine contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose or fructose intolerance, total lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
Contains tartrazine (E102): May cause allergic reactions.