Dulcolax 10mg Suppositories

What are Dulcolax Suppositories and what are they used for?

If you are looking for a quick solution to provide effective relief from constipation, then Dulcolax Suppositories might be the right treatment for you. Using the clinically-tested active ingredient Bisacodyl, Dulcolax is able to give you relief from constipation within an hour. These suppositories are specifically designed for ease of insertion and are an excellent choice for anyone who has trouble swallowing. The suppository dissolves into the body very quickly, providing local, satisfying relief from constipation.

Dulcolax suppositories are manufactured by SANOFI and are designed for short-term use for occasional constipation in adults and children over the age of 10 years for a maximum of 5 days.

What is constipation?

Constipation is a common problem that can affect people of all ages causing reduced bowel movements leading to dry, hard and lumpy stools that are sometimes large and hard to pass. Constipation can be incredibly uncomfortable causing sufferers to feel bloated, nauseous and can even cause pain when trying to pass stool.

Constipation can have many different causes, but some of the most common causes include:

• A lack of fibre in your diet
• Not drinking enough water
• Not getting enough exercise
• Ignoring the need to go to the toilet
• Side effects of medication

How do Dulcolax Suppositories work?

Dulcolax suppositories work because of the active ingredient known as bisacodyl. This ingredient is able to stimulate the muscles in your intestines, helping to provide you with normal and regular bowel activity. Unlike stool softeners, Dulcolax is a stimulant laxative, meaning it works on your body’s muscles, rather than by reducing your intestinal fluid absorption.

Dulcolax Suppositories alternatives

For some people making simple dietary and lifestyle changes can help to prevent and relieve mild, occasional constipation. These changes include:

• Drinking more non-alcoholic fluids
• Increasing the fibre in your diet
• Getting more exercise and moving regularly throughout the day

If you have tried making some simple changes and this has not helped improve your constipation there are different types of laxatives that some people may find more suitable.

• Bulk-forming Laxatives: increase the weight of the stool, take 2-3 days to work e.g Fybogel
• Osmotic Laxative: draw water into the stool to soften them, take 2-3 days to work e.g Lactulose, Movicol
  

For more constipation treatments and advice please take a look at our Advice for Constipation page.

Sources

• Dulcolax Suppositories, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/...
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/...

Dulcolax Suppositories warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

• If you are expecting or planning to become expecting or if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.
• Avoid taking this medication and consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are allergic to the ingredients in the product such as to hard fat or Bisacodyl, or if you are suffering from ileus, or if you have inflammation of the small and large intestine or if you have anal fissures (cracking of the skin around the anal passage), or if you have ulcerative proctitis (ulcers or inflammation around the anal passage), or if you have serious abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting or if you have severe dehydration, or if you have a severe abdominal condition for example appendicitis, or, if you have an intestinal obstruction (a blocked bowel).
• Because some medicines can affect how Dulcolax suppositories work, and also Dulcolax suppositories can affect how some other medicines work, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have recently taken or if you are taking the following medication obtained with or without a prescription: herbal medicines, diuretics (water tablets - e.g. Furosemide or Bendrofluazide), or steroids (e.g. prednisolone).
• If you take more than the required dose, consult your doctor immediately.

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

Dulcolax Suppositories dosage

Adults and children over 10 years:

Insert one 10mg suppository into the anal passage once a day for a maximum of 5 consecutive days.

How to insert a suppository:

1. Remove the foil wrapping.
2. While lying on one side, draw your knees towards the chest, and maintain one leg in a higher position than the other.
3. Use your middle finger or index finger to push the suppository into the anus. The pointed end should go in first.
4. Insert it and then push the suppository gently as far as possible into the anal passage.
5. To ensure it touches the wall of the bowel, push it side-ways.
6. Ensure that you retain the suppository in position and you can now lower your legs to a more comfortable position.
7. Retain the suppository in position for at least 30 minutes. If the suppository feels like it might come out, push it inside as far as possible and try to maintain it in place for about 30 minutes, even if you feel like you urgently need to empty the bowel.

Dulcolax Suppositories ingredients

The active ingredients contained in this medicine is: Bisacodyl 10mg

The medicine also contains the following inactive ingredient: Hard fat

Dulcolax Suppositories side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take medication, however, if you do they can include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramps
• Discomfort or pain

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.