Bisacodyl
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative for short-term constipation, sold here as Dulcolax 5mg tablets for relief that usually comes within six to twelve hours.
What bisacodyl does
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative. It works on the lining of the large bowel: it triggers stronger wave-like muscle contractions and helps the bowel hold on to water, so stool softens and moves along. That makes it useful for occasional constipation, and it is also used to clear the bowel before some procedures. It is not a stool softener, and it does not treat the cause of constipation.
Dulcolax, a 5mg tablet, is the bisacodyl we sell, and the digestive health range is where it sits with the other bowel and stomach products. It is the kind of thing people order to have in the cupboard before they need it.
How to take the tablets
The tablet is coated so that it passes through the stomach intact, which is why it goes down whole with water and never chewed or crushed. Adults take one or two a day. Bedtime suits most people: the bowel responds after several hours, so the tablet works overnight rather than within the hour.
Milk and antacids can strip that coating early and irritate the stomach, so leave at least an hour between them and the tablet.
What to expect
Cramps and nausea are the usual complaints, and they tend to fade once the bowel has emptied. Take more than the usual dose and diarrhoea follows, which costs the body fluid and salts. Dizziness, a dry mouth and dark urine mean you have lost too much, so stop the tablets. Stop them too for severe or lasting stomach pain. Blood in the stool is a sign of bleeding and needs urgent attention.
Keep it to the occasional bad stretch. Taken daily for weeks, bisacodyl can leave the bowel slower to respond by itself, and fibre, fluids and a bit of daily movement do more for everyday regularity.
The Dulcolax tablets
Dulcolax is the bisacodyl product sold here, as 5mg tablets. The tablets are enteric-coated, which is why they must be swallowed whole. Keep them in their blister pack somewhere dry, out of direct sun.
Sources
- Constipation - NIDDK — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- Constipation - NHS — NHS
Is Bisacodyl available to order in Hong Kong?
Bisacodyl can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The page carries generic Dulcolax, also sold as plain Bisacodyl tablets, as 5mg tablets. An order can be cancelled within 24 hours if it has not been dispatched, and support answers around the clock in English and Cantonese.
What is the price of Bisacodyl?
It depends on the strength and pack size. The bisacodyl product listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Bisacodyl?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order bisacodyl. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for bisacodyl?
Dulcolax is a brand name of bisacodyl. Here, bisacodyl can be bought online as generic Dulcolax. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does bisacodyl take to work?
The 5mg tablets usually bring a bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours, so a bedtime dose often works by the morning. They are not a fast fix if you need to go within the hour.
Can I take bisacodyl with milk or an antacid?
No. Milk and antacids can break down the tablet's enteric coating too early, which can irritate the stomach. Leave at least an hour between your bisacodyl dose and milk, an antacid or an indigestion remedy.
How often can I take bisacodyl?
One dose a day is the usual limit for the 5mg tablets, and it is meant for short-term use. Taking it for many days in a row can leave the bowel relying on it, so keep it for occasional constipation rather than a daily habit.
Is bisacodyl a stool softener?
No. Bisacodyl is a stimulant: it prompts the bowel muscles to squeeze and keeps water in the bowel, and that is what moves the stool. A true softener only adds water to the stool and leaves the muscles alone.