Bisacodyl

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Bisacodyl
Clinical data
Trade namesFleet, Dulcolax, Brooklax, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa601027
Pregnancy
category
  • B
Routes of
administration
By mouth or rectal
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
CYP450-mediated)
Elimination half-life16 Hours
Excretionprimarily in the feces, systemically absorbed drug is excreted in the urine
Identifiers
  • (pyridin-2-ylmethanediyl)dibenzene-4,1-diyl diacetate
    OR
    4,4'-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)bis(4,1-phenylene) diacetate
JSmol)
  • O=C(Oc1ccc(cc1)C(c2ccc(OC(=O)C)cc2)c3ncccc3)C
  • InChI=1S/C22H19NO4/c1-15(24)26-19-10-6-17(7-11-19)22(21-5-3-4-14-23-21)18-8-12-20(13-9-18)27-16(2)25/h3-14,22H,1-2H3 checkY
  • Key:KHOITXIGCFIULA-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

Bisacodyl (

INN) is an organic compound that is used as a stimulant laxative drug. It works directly on the colon to produce a bowel movement. It is typically prescribed for relief of episodic and chronic constipation and for the management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction, as well as part of bowel preparation before medical examinations, such as for a colonoscopy.[2][3]

Bisacodyl is a derivative of triphenylmethane. It was first used as a laxative in 1953 because of its structural similarity to phenolphthalein.[4][5]

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6]

Available forms

Bisacodyl is marketed under the trade names Dulcolax/Durolax, Muxol, Fleet, Nourilax, Alophen, Correctol, and Carter's Little Pills (formerly

suppositories, or 5 mg pediatric suppositories. It is also available as a 1.25 US fluid ounces (37 ml) pre-packaged enema containing a 10 mg delivered dose of liquid bisacodyl.[8]

Administration

When bisacodyl is administered orally, it is usually taken at breakfast. Oral administration is known to produce no action for more than eight hours and then to work suddenly and relatively quickly. This is especially true if more than 10 mg is taken at one time. Normally, the dosage is 5 or 10 mg, but up to 30 mg can be taken for complete cleansing of the bowel before a procedure.

When administered rectally in suppository form, it is usually effective in 15 to 60 minutes. For optimal use, if used as a suppository, it is recommended that bisacodyl be given after breakfast to synchronize with the gastrocolic reflex.[3] Two suppositories can be inserted at once if a very strong, purgative, enema-like result is needed. A few hours after the initial evacuation, there can be a secondary action which will continue as long as there is unexpelled bisacodyl present in the rectum.

As a commercially prepared micro-enema, it is usually effective in 5 to 20 minutes.[8]

Mechanism of action

Bisacodyl works by stimulating enteric neurons to cause peristalsis, i.e., colonic contractions. It is also a contact laxative; it increases fluid and salt secretion. The action of bisacodyl on the small intestine is negligible; stimulant laxatives mainly promote evacuation of the colon.[8]

See also

References

  1. FDA
    . Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
  2. PMID 16733101
    .
  3. ^ .
  4. .
  5. .
  6. . WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
  7. ^ "Medicine: Cut Out the Liver". Time. 1951-04-16. Archived from the original on 8 November 2007. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
  8. ^ .

External links