Individual generic drug information

bisacodyl

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

BISACODYL

Reference record: Bisacodyl
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 87, 88
Age groups indexed: 2

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Bisacodyl only.

Indications And Dose

Constipation ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 4–17 years: 5–20 mg once daily, adjusted according to response, dose to be taken at night ▶Adult: 5–10 mg once daily; increased if necessary up to 20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night ▶BY RECTUM ▶Child 2–17 years: 5–10 mg once daily, adjusted according to response ▶Adult: 10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the morning Bowel clearance before radiological procedures and surgery ▶INITIALLY BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 10 mg twice daily, dose to be taken in the morning and evening on the day before procedure and (by rectum) 10 mg, to be administered 1–2 hours before procedure the following day Constipation (dose approved for use by community practitioner nurse prescribers) ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 4–17 years: 5–20 mg once daily, adjusted according to response, dose to be taken at night (on doctor’s advice only) ▶Adult: 5–10 mg once daily; increased if necessary up to 20 mg once daily, dose to be taken at night ▶BY RECTUM ▶Child 4–9 years: 5 mg once daily, adjusted according to response ▶Child 10–17 years: 10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the morning ▶Adult: 10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the morning

Source page 87

Pharmacokinetics

▶Tablets act in 10–12 hours; suppositories act in 20–60 minutes. l UNLICENSED USE ▶With rectal use in children g Bisacodyl may be used in children aged under 10 years for the management of constipation, h but the higher dose option is not licensed in this age group. ▶With oral use in children g Bisacodyl may be used in children for the management of constipation, h but the higher dose option is not licensed.

Source page 87

Contra Indications

Acute abdominal conditions. acute inﬂammatory bowel disease. intestinal obstruction. severe dehydration Gastro-intestinal system

Source page 88

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

Source page 88

Safety

Extracted information for Bisacodyl only.

Side Effects

▶Common or very common Gastrointestinal discomfort. nausea ▶Uncommon Haematochezia. vomiting ▶Rare or very rare Angioedema. colitis. dehydration

Source page 88

Pregnancy

May be suitable for constipation in pregnancy, if a stimulant effect is necessary.

Source page 88

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Bisacodyl only.

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension, suppository Gastro-resistant tablet CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 5, 25 ▶Bisacodyl (Non-proprietary) Bisacodyl 5 mg Bisacodyl 5mg gastro-resistant tablets | 60 tablet p £5.66 DT = £2.86 | 100 tablet p £3.45–£5.60 | 500 tablet p £25.73–£50.00 | 1000 tablet p £51.45–£100.00 ▶Dulco-Lax (bisacodyl) (Sanofi) Bisacodyl 5 mg Dulcolax 5mg gastro-resistant tablets | 40 tablet p £2.44 | 100 tablet p £3.60 Suppository ▶Bisacodyl (Non-proprietary) Bisacodyl 10 mg Bisacodyl 10mg suppositories | 12 suppository p £3.53 DT = £3.53 ▶Dulco-Lax (bisacodyl) (Sanofi) Bisacodyl 5 mg Dulcolax 5mg suppositories for children | 5 suppository p £1.04 DT = £1.04 Bisacodyl 10 mg Dulcolax 10mg suppositories | 12 suppository p £2.35 DT = £3.53

Source page 88

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–20 mg once daily, adjusted

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–10 mg once daily; increased if necessary up to

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–10 mg once daily, adjusted

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg twice daily, dose to be taken in the

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–20 mg once daily, adjusted

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–10 mg once daily; increased if necessary up to

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5 mg once daily, adjusted according to

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.

Individual generic drug information

bisacodyl

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

BISACODYL

Reference record: Bisacodyl
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 87, 88
Age groups indexed: 2

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Bisacodyl only.

Indications And Dose

Source page 87

Pharmacokinetics

Source page 87

Contra Indications

Acute abdominal conditions. acute inﬂammatory bowel disease. intestinal obstruction. severe dehydration Gastro-intestinal system

Source page 88

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

Source page 88

Safety

Extracted information for Bisacodyl only.

Side Effects

▶Common or very common Gastrointestinal discomfort. nausea ▶Uncommon Haematochezia. vomiting ▶Rare or very rare Angioedema. colitis. dehydration

Source page 88

Pregnancy

May be suitable for constipation in pregnancy, if a stimulant effect is necessary.

Source page 88

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Bisacodyl only.

Medicinal Forms

Source page 88

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–20 mg once daily, adjusted

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–10 mg once daily; increased if necessary up to

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–10 mg once daily, adjusted

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg twice daily, dose to be taken in the

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–20 mg once daily, adjusted

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5–10 mg once daily; increased if necessary up to

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

5 mg once daily, adjusted according to

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Children

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

10 mg once daily, dose to be taken in the

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 87

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.