{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"bisacodyl","kind":"medication","name":"bisacodyl","aliases":["Dulcolax"],"brands_sg":["Dulcolax","Unilax","Biolax","S.L. Laxative","Sunny Laxative"],"class":"stimulant laxative","tags":["digestive"],"use_for":"constipation · also to empty the bowel before procedures","use_after":"label: 1–2 tablets (5–10 mg) daily before bedtime","use_duration":null,"take_with":"water · not within 1 h of milk, antacids or ppis","pros":["general sale list in sg — no prescription needed","nhs: tablets work in 6 to 12 hours","sg label: a suppository works for immediate effect"],"cons":["nhs: not every day for more than 5 days","cramps, nausea and vomiting are reported effects","nhs: other laxative types are tried first"],"dose_note":"sg dulcolax 5 mg enteric-coated tablet label (national drug formulary): “adults and children over 10 years: 1 to 2 coated tablets (5 – 10 mg) daily before bedtime, or 1 suppository (10 mg) daily for immediate effect … the maximum daily dose should not be exceeded”; nhs puts the same ceiling at “a maximum of two tablets (10mg) at bedtime” and says not to take tablets or use suppositories every day for more than 5 days — as directed on the label or by your pharmacist","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"general-sale","cautions":["ileus, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis or acute inflammatory bowel disease — sg label: contraindicated","severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting, or severe dehydration — sg label: contraindicated","ulcerative colitis or crohn's disease — nhs: tell your doctor or pharmacist first","pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding — nhs: tell your doctor or pharmacist first"],"clashes":[{"src":["nhs_bis_howto","healthhub_bisacodyl"],"food":true,"note":"nhs and healthhub: 1 hour apart — they dissolve the enteric coating early","with":"milk and dairy"},{"src":["nhs_bis_howto","healthhub_bisacodyl"],"note":"nhs and healthhub: 1 hour apart — they dissolve the enteric coating early","with":"antacids and proton pump inhibitors"},{"src":["nhs_bis_interactions"],"note":"nhs: can upset the balance of salts and minerals in the body","with":"diuretics, steroids such as prednisolone, digoxin"},{"src":["nhs_bis_interactions"],"note":"nhs: 2 laxatives together only if a doctor or pharmacist says so","with":"other laxatives"}],"sources":[{"id":"nhs_bis_about","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bisacodyl/about-bisacodyl/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — About bisacodyl (brand name: Dulcolax), page last reviewed 2 August 2024","quote":"Bisacodyl is a laxative … known as a stimulant laxative. It works by helping your bowel move and also softens your poo … Bisacodyl tablets take 6 to 12 hours to work. The suppositories take 10 to 45 minutes to work","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_bis_keyfacts","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bisacodyl/about-bisacodyl/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — About bisacodyl, Key facts + 'before trying bisacodyl'","quote":"Only use bisacodyl if you have tried other types of laxatives first such as: bulk-forming laxatives like Fybogel … osmotic laxatives like lactulose and macrogol … Do not take bisacodyl tablets or use bisacodyl suppositories every day for more than 5 days","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_bis_dose","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bisacodyl/how-and-when-to-take-or-use-bisacodyl/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — How and when to take or use bisacodyl, Dosage for bisacodyl tablets","quote":"The usual dose of bisacodyl tablets for adults and young people aged 12 years and over is 5mg to 10mg, taken once a day at bedtime … you can increase the dose to a maximum of two tablets (10mg) at bedtime","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_bis_howto","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bisacodyl/how-and-when-to-take-or-use-bisacodyl/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — How and when to take or use bisacodyl, How to take tablets","quote":"Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not take them with milk … Do not take bisacodyl tablets at the same time as: dairy products … antacids … proton pump inhibitors … Leave a gap of 1 hour","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_bis_who","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bisacodyl/who-can-and-cannot-take-bisacodyl/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — Who can and cannot take bisacodyl","quote":"Bisacodyl … tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take it if you: have signs of dehydration … have a blockage in your bowel (intestinal obstruction); have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease; are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_bis_interactions","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bisacodyl/taking-bisacodyl-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — Taking bisacodyl with other medicines and herbal supplements","quote":"Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking … diuretics, steroids like prednisolone or digoxin – these can upset the balance of salts and minerals in your body … Only use 2 laxatives together if your doctor or pharmacist tells you to","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"healthhub_bisacodyl","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/bisacodyl","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Bisacodyl, medication information leaflet, article last reviewed 22 June 2023","quote":"This medicine is used to treat constipation. It may also be used to empty the colon before an X-ray examination … and before surgery … Do not use within one hour after taking an antacid, milk or any dairy products","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"healthhub_bisacodyl_se","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/bisacodyl","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Bisacodyl, common side effects section","quote":"Bisacodyl may cause abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting and in the case of suppositories may lead to rectal irritation","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_dulcolax","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin02669p/","label":"Singapore National Drug Formulary — DULCOLAX TABLET 5 MG [SIN02669P] product information, Dosage and Administration + forensic classification","quote":"Adults and children over 10 years: 1 to 2 coated tablets (5 – 10 mg) daily before bedtime, or 1 suppository (10 mg) daily for immediate effect … The maximum daily dose should not be exceeded … Forensic Classification GENERAL SALE LIST","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_dulcolax_ci","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin02669p/","label":"Singapore National Drug Formulary — DULCOLAX TABLET 5 MG [SIN02669P], Contraindications","quote":"DULCOLAX is contraindicated in patients with ileus, intestinal obstruction, acute abdominal conditions including appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel diseases, and severe abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting … also contraindicated in severe dehydration","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084/view","label":"HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg dataset d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084, managed by Health Sciences Authority, last updated 7 Aug 2026), Forensicclassification column","quote":"DULCOLAX TABLET 5 mg | SIN02669P | General Sale List; DULCOLAX SUPPOSITORY 10 mg | SIN02663P | General Sale List — all 9 bisacodyl products in the register are General Sale List (UNILAX, BIOLAX, S.L. LAXATIVE, SUNNY LAXATIVE PILL) (datastore_search API, 27 Aug 2026)","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:12.75901+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}