Drug Detail:Bisacodyl (monograph) (Correctol)
Drug Class:
Usual Adult Dose for Bowel Preparation
Oral:
TABLET: 5 to 15 mg orally once a day as needed
- Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Rectal:
ENEMA: 10 mg rectally once a day as needed
SUPPOSITORY: 10 mg (1 suppository) rectally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Comments:
- Enemas typically produce a bowel movement within 5 to 20 minutes; patients should contact their healthcare provider if a bowel movement is not produced within 20 minutes of use.
- Suppositories usually produce a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes, while tablets usually take 6 to 12 hours.
- Antacids and/or milk products should not be used within 1 hour of taking tablet formulations.
- Stomach/abdominal discomfort, cramps, faintness, and rectal burning (suppository formulations only) may occur with use.
Uses:
- ENEMA: For relief of occasional constipation OR bowel cleansing before rectal examinations
- SUPPOSITORY AND TABLET: For temporary relief of occasional constipation and irregularity
Usual Adult Dose for Constipation
Oral:
TABLET: 5 to 15 mg orally once a day as needed
- Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Rectal:
ENEMA: 10 mg rectally once a day as needed
SUPPOSITORY: 10 mg (1 suppository) rectally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Comments:
- Enemas typically produce a bowel movement within 5 to 20 minutes; patients should contact their healthcare provider if a bowel movement is not produced within 20 minutes of use.
- Suppositories usually produce a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes, while tablets usually take 6 to 12 hours.
- Antacids and/or milk products should not be used within 1 hour of taking tablet formulations.
- Stomach/abdominal discomfort, cramps, faintness, and rectal burning (suppository formulations only) may occur with use.
Uses:
- ENEMA: For relief of occasional constipation OR bowel cleansing before rectal examinations
- SUPPOSITORY AND TABLET: For temporary relief of occasional constipation and irregularity
Usual Pediatric Dose for Bowel Preparation
Oral:
TABLET:
Under 6 years: Dose adjustment(s) may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested.
6 to less than 12 years: 5 mg orally once a day as needed
12 years and older: 5 to 15 mg orally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Rectal:
ENEMA:
Under 12 years: Not recommended.
12 years and older: 10 mg rectally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
SUPPOSITORY:
Under 6 years:
6 to less than 12 years: 5 mg (0.5 suppository) rectally once a day as needed
12 years and older: 10 mg (1 suppository) rectally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Comments:
- Enemas typically produce a bowel movement within 5 to 20 minutes; patients should contact their healthcare provider if a bowel movement is not produced within 20 minutes of use.
- Suppositories usually produce a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes, while tablets usually take 6 to 12 hours.
- Antacids and/or milk products should not be used within 1 hour of taking tablet formulations.
- Stomach/abdominal discomfort, cramps, faintness, and rectal burning (suppository formulations only) may occur with use.
Uses:
- ENEMA: For relief of occasional constipation OR bowel cleansing before rectal examinations
- SUPPOSITORY AND TABLET: For temporary relief of occasional constipation and irregularity
Usual Pediatric Dose for Constipation
Oral:
TABLET:
Under 6 years: Dose adjustment(s) may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested.
6 to less than 12 years: 5 mg orally once a day as needed
12 years and older: 5 to 15 mg orally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Rectal:
ENEMA:
Under 12 years: Not recommended.
12 years and older: 10 mg rectally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
SUPPOSITORY:
Under 6 years:
6 to less than 12 years: 5 mg (0.5 suppository) rectally once a day as needed
12 years and older: 10 mg (1 suppository) rectally once a day as needed
Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week
Comments:
- Enemas typically produce a bowel movement within 5 to 20 minutes; patients should contact their healthcare provider if a bowel movement is not produced within 20 minutes of use.
- Suppositories usually produce a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes, while tablets usually take 6 to 12 hours.
- Antacids and/or milk products should not be used within 1 hour of taking tablet formulations.
- Stomach/abdominal discomfort, cramps, faintness, and rectal burning (suppository formulations only) may occur with use.
Uses:
- ENEMA: For relief of occasional constipation OR bowel cleansing before rectal examinations
- SUPPOSITORY AND TABLET: For temporary relief of occasional constipation and irregularity
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
TABLETS:
- Patients who cannot swallow without chewing
Safety and efficacy of suppositories and tablets have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.
Safety and efficacy of enemas have not been established in patients younger than 12 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
AU PRECAUTIONS:
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
SUPPOSITORIES:
- Hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients
- Patients with acute surgical abdomen
- Patients with conditions where laxatives are contraindicated
- Patients with intestinal obstruction
- Patients with undiagnosed abdominal symptoms
TABLETS:
- Hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients
- Patients with anal fissure, ulcerated hemorrhoids, and/or ulcerative proctitis with mucosal damage
- Patients with dehydration and/or hypokalemia
- Patients with conditions where laxatives are contraindicated
- Patients with signs/symptoms of acute abdominal situations (e.g., ileus, intestinal obstruction, any other undiagnosed abdominal pain), appendicitis, or inflammatory bowel disease, including colic, cramps, nausea, or vomiting
Safety and efficacy of tablets have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.
Safety and efficacy of suppositories have not been established in patients younger than 10 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- Tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water; patients should avoid chewing or crushing this formulation.
- Antacids and milk products should be separated by 1 hour.
- Suppositories should be administered rectally and retained for approximately 15 to 20 minutes; the suppository should be unwrapped and inserted into the rectum with the pointed end first.
- Enema nozzles may be coated with a lubricant to facilitate in insertion; half doses may be given via inserting halt the point of the tube.
Storage requirements:
- ENEMA: Store below 30C; some experts recommend storing this formulation at 2 to 8C.
- SUPPOSITORY: Store below 25C
- TABLET: Protect from light and excessive humidity
Patient advice:
- Inform patients that this drug may cause a vasovagal response (e.g., dizziness, syncope), and they should avoid driving or operating machinery if these side effects occur.
- Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
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