Bisacodyl
Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Fleet, Dulcolax, Brooklax, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a601027 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth or rectal |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
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CYP450-mediated) | |
Elimination half-life | 16 Hours |
Excretion | primarily in the feces, systemically absorbed drug is excreted in the urine |
Identifiers | |
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JSmol) | |
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Bisacodyl (
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
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
- FDA. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
- PMID 16733101.
- ^ PMID 26757467.
- PMID 9848486.
- PMID 14178715.
- hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
- ^ "Medicine: Cut Out the Liver". Time. 1951-04-16. Archived from the original on 8 November 2007. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ ISBN 3527306730.
External links
- |Bisacodyl,00.html Bisacodyl at Drugdigest.org[dead link]
- Bisacodyl Consumer Drug Information
- Dulcolax Laxative
- Dulcoflex Tablet Uses in Hindi