Applies to bisacodyl: oral tablets delayed-release, rectal suppositories, rectal suspension.
Side effects include:
Some degree of abdominal discomfort, nausea, cramps, griping, and/or faintness with therapeutic doses.
Diarrhea, GI irritation, and fluid and electrolyte depletion.
Gastric irritation and the possibility of vomiting if enteric coating of tablets is disrupted. (See Advice to Patients.)
Rectal administration of bisacodyl suspensions or suppositories may cause irritation and a sensation of burning of the rectal mucosa and mild proctitis.
Hepatotoxicity if sufficient tannic acid is absorbed from bisacodyl tannex.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to bisacodyl: compounding powder, oral delayed release tablet, oral tablet, rectal enema, rectal suppository.
General
ENEMA: The most commonly reported side effects included abdominal discomfort, faintness, mild cramps, and rectal burning.
SUPPOSITORY: The most commonly reported side effects included abdominal discomfort, faintness, mild cramps, and rectal burning.
TABLET: The most commonly reported side effects included cramps, faintness, and stomach discomfort.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Prolonged use of this drug may result in diarrhea with excessive water and electrolyte loss, especially potassium.
Colic was treated with atropine derivatives.[Ref]
ENEMA:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vomiting
Frequency not reported: Abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, colic, cramping, diarrhea, epigastralgia, nausea, proctitis, mild cramps, tenesmus
SUPPOSITORY:
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal discomfort, blood in stool/hematochezia, vomiting
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Colitis, ischemic colitis
Frequency not reported: Abdominal spasm, atonic, nonfunctioning colon, defecation, diarrhea with excessive water and electrolyte loss, mild cramps, proctitis
TABLET:
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal discomfort, anorectal discomfort, blood in stool/ hematochezia, vomiting
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Colitis, ischemic colitis
Frequency not reported: Abdominal spasm, colic, cramps/cramping, defecation, epigastralgia, proctitis, stomach discomfort, tenesmus[Ref]
Nervous system
ENEMA:
Frequency not reported: Faintness, syncope
SUPPOSITORY:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Syncope
Frequency not reported: Faintness, vasovagal response
TABLET:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Syncope
Frequency not reported: Faintness, vasovagal response[Ref]
Local
ENEMA:
Frequency not reported: Local rectal irritation, rectal burning
SUPPOSITORY:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorectal discomfort, rectal irritation
Frequency not reported: Rectal burning[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
ENEMA:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions
SUPPOSITORY:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, hypersensitivity
TABLET:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions/hypersensitivity[Ref]
Dermatologic
ENEMA:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Mild, transient skin reactions
SUPPOSITORY:
Frequency not reported: Sloughing of the epithelium
TABLET:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Mild, transient skin reactions[Ref]
Metabolic
SUPPOSITORY:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dehydration
TABLET:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dehydration[Ref]
Immunologic
ENEMA:
Frequency not reported: Slight indisposition
TABLET:
Frequency not reported: Slight indisposition[Ref]
