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Bisacodyl

Medication stimulant laxative digestive
Aka: Dulcolax
Brands seen in Singapore: Dulcolax, Unilax, Biolax, S.L. Laxative, Sunny Laxative
Not medical advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change the timing of anything you take.
How to use
What it’s for
Constipation · also to empty the bowel before procedures
When to take
Label: 1–2 tablets (5–10 mg) daily before bedtime
Take with
Water · not within 1 h of milk, antacids or PPIS
Pros & cons
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
Sources
  1. NHS medicines A–Z — About bisacodyl (brand name: Dulcolax), page last reviewed 2 August 2024 · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  2. NHS medicines A–Z — About bisacodyl, Key facts + 'before trying bisacodyl' · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  3. NHS medicines A–Z — How and when to take or use bisacodyl, Dosage for bisacodyl tablets · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  4. NHS medicines A–Z — How and when to take or use bisacodyl, How to take tablets · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  5. NHS medicines A–Z — Who can and cannot take bisacodyl · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  6. NHS medicines A–Z — Taking bisacodyl with other medicines and herbal supplements · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  7. HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Bisacodyl, medication information leaflet, article last reviewed 22 June 2023 · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  8. HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Bisacodyl, common side effects section · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Bisacodyl may cause abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting and in the case of suppositories may lead to rectal irritation”
  9. Singapore National Drug Formulary — DULCOLAX TABLET 5 MG [SIN02669P] product information, Dosage and Administration + forensic classification · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  10. Singapore National Drug Formulary — DULCOLAX TABLET 5 MG [SIN02669P], Contraindications · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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”
  11. HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg dataset d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084, managed by Health Sciences Authority, last updated 7 Aug 2026), Forensicclassification column · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “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)”
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Updated 2026-08-29. Every line above traces to a numbered source. Kozen-X is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. It lists what published sources have written down — nothing more. A pair not listed is unrecorded, not cleared. Before you start, stop or re-time anything, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.