Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Bisacodyl. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Bisacodyl with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Bisacodyl. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal cramps, pain, or discomfort
• Diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• blood in the stool
• rectal discomfort or pain
• symptoms of an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching)
• symptoms of irritation of the intestines (e.g., severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (e.g., Hives, swelling of the face or throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Bisacodyl.

Tablets
Each tablet contains bisacodyl 5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, methylated silica, methylcellulose, polydextrose, polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, silica, sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitan tristearate, stearic acid, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin, triethyl citrate, and water.

Suppositories
Each rectal suppository contains bisacodyl 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: wecobee M.

Do not take Bisacodyl if you:

• are allergic to bisacodyl or any ingredients of the medication
• are severely dehydrated
• have a rare inherited condition where you cannot take lactose or sucrose (e.g., galactosemia, fructose intolerance)
• have intestinal blockage, Appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitits), or severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting

Do not take other medications 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking bisacodyl tablets. Bisacodyl tablets may reduce the effectiveness of other medications.

There may be an interaction between bisacodyl and any of the following:

• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• Digoxin
• diuretics (e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• H2-antagonists (e.g., Ranitidine, Cimetidine)
• milk
• proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; e.g., Omeprazole, Pantoprazole)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Bisacodyl. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Bisacodyl.

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, Fever: If you have abdominal pain, nausea, fever, or vomiting, do not take Bisacodyl. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Dizziness and fainting: People taking Bisacodyl have reported experiencing dizziness and fainting. This may be from straining to produce a bowel movement or from the pain that can be associated with constipation. If you feel dizzy or faint while taking Bisacodyl, contact your doctor.

Long-term use: Bisacodyl should not be taken daily or for long periods of time as this may lead to dehydration and low potassium levels. Long-term use can make your bowels dependent on Bisacodyl to function.

Rectal conditions: If you have rectal fissures or ulcerative proctitis, discuss with your doctor how Bisacodyl may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bisacodyl, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with these conditions may experience pain and irritation when using the suppository form of Bisacodyl. If you experience rectal bleeding after using the suppositories, contact your doctor.

Tartrazine: Bisacodyl contains tartrazine (a colouring agent) and should not be taken by people who are allergic to tartrazine.

Pregnancy: Bisacodyl should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Bisacodyl, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Bisacodyl does not pass into breast milk. It is therefore considered safe to use while breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Bisacodyl have not been established for children less than 6 years old. Do not give Bisacodyl to children unless recommended by your doctor.

Bisacodyl belongs to the class of medications called stimulant laxatives. It is used for the relief of occasional Constipation. It can also be used for the preparation of certain medical tests (e.g., colonoscopy), before and after surgery, and in other situations where a bowel movement to required.

It works by stimulating the bowel muscles and also accumulates water in the intestines. This helps to soften the stool and produce a bowel movement more quickly. The tablets should be taken at bedtime to produce a bowel movement the next morning. The suppositories usually take about 15 minutes to 1 hour to work.

Bisacodyl may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Bisacodyl may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Bisacodyl may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Bisacodyl for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given Bisacodyl, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using Bisacodyl without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Bisacodyl to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use Bisacodyl if their doctor or pharmacist has not recommended it.