Constipation can be temporarily treated with bisacodyl. Additionally, it is used to relieve bowel obstructions prior to surgery and other medical procedures. The drug bisacodyl belongs to the group of drugs known as stimulant laxatives. It induces a bowel movement by causing the intestines to work harder.

The oral tablet form of bisacodyl is available. It is typically taken the evening before one wishes to have a bowel movement. In 6 to 12 hours, bisacodyl typically induces bowel movement. Without consulting your doctor, avoid taking bisacodyl more than once per day for longer than a week. Pay close attention to the instructions on the packaging or the label of your prescription, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify any instructions you do not understand. Exactly as prescribed, take bisacodyl. Your bowels may stop functioning normally if you use bisacodyl on a regular basis or for an extended period of time. After taking bisacodyl, if you don’t have a regular bowel movement, stop taking the drug and consult your doctor.

With a glass of water, swallow the pills whole; do not break, chew, or crush them.

After consuming alcohol or eating dairy products, avoid taking bisacodyl for one hour.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking bisacodyl,

• If you have an allergy to bisacodyl, any other drugs, or any of the substances in these products, notify your doctor right away. A list of the ingredients can be found on the label or by asking your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Wait at least an hour before taking bisacodyl if you are taking antacids.
• If you experience stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts longer than two weeks, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking bisacodyl.

Regular bowel function depends on a regular diet and exercise routine. As advised by your doctor, consume a diet high in fiber and get eight glasses of water daily.

Typically, this medication is taken as needed. Take the missing dose as soon as you remember it if your doctor has instructed you to take bisacodyl on a regular basis. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects from bisacodyl are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Stomach pain
• Faintness
• Digestive discomfort

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away and stop taking bisacodyl if you have this symptom:

• Abdominal bleeding

Other negative effects of bisacodyl are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning.http://www.upandaway.org

To make sure that pets, kids, and other people cannot take leftover pharmaceuticals, they should be disposed of in a specific manner. You shouldn’t flush this medication down the toilet, though. The best option to get rid of your medication is instead through a medication take-back program. To find out about take-back initiatives in your neighborhood, speak with your pharmacist or get in touch with your city’s waste/recycling department. If you do not have access to a take-back program, you can find more information at the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p).

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

If you have any inquiries about bisacodyl, ask your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.