An ordinary person perceives all laxative drugs in the same way. And even studying the instructions does not always provide an opportunity to catch important points. Indeed, many medical terms are simply misleading. Meanwhile, the drugs vary in composition, on the onset of the therapeutic effect and many other criteria.
How does the Bisacodyl medication describe the instructions for use? Pills able to bring the desired effect? Let's get it right.
Description of the drug
What is the medicine "Bisacodyl"? Instructions for use of the tablet are positioned as a laxative with a strong effect. Used in case of constipation.
The mechanism of action of the drug is to enhance the secretion of the mucosa in the colon. This stimulates the increase and acceleration of peristalsis. The drug has an effect on the nerve ganglia of the intestinal mucosa.
How long does Bisacodyl work? The beneficial effect after using the drug is noticeable after 6 hours. If the drug was used at night, then the necessary effect occurs in 8-10 hours. In the case of rectal suppositories, the effect of the medication can be observed after 15-45 minutes.
The drug has the following pharmacological effects:
- Softens or liquefies stool. This effect occurs by increasing the flow of electrolytes and water into the intestines. In addition, under the influence of the drug, a decrease in the absorption of these components is observed.
- Accelerates intestinal motility, stimulates an increase in mucus production.
The medicine "Bisacodyl" is absorbed in the digestive tract. The drug is metabolized by the liver and excreted from the body by the kidneys.
Release Forms
The drug "Bisacodyl" is produced in several dosage forms:
- Tablets. These are round pills of light yellow color with a biconvex surface. The tablets are coated with a specific enteric coating. This allows, provided that the product is used correctly, it is not dissolved in the stomach, but in the large intestine, where they must act.
- Dragee. They have a round shape. Their color is yellow.
- Suppositories. They are intended for rectal input. Torpedo-shaped candles, oily. May be white, yellowish-white or grayish.
The active substance of the drug is a synthetic component - bisacodyl. Tablets and pills contain 5 mg of this ingredient. In candles - 10 mg of the main substance.
Indications for use
Reception of "Bisacodyl" is indicated for the following pathologies and conditions:
- Constipation of various origins (chronic, common). The drug is prescribed to normalize stool in the elderly. "Bisacodyl" helps with constipation, provoked by a change in nutrition. Assign a remedy for pathologies caused by prolonged bed rest or due to sluggish peristalsis.
- Bowel cleansing. A similar need arises before childbirth or surgical interventions. Often, a medicine is prescribed on the eve of certain types of diagnostics (endoscopic, x-ray examination).
- Normalization of intestinal motility. After childbirth or surgery, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract can be observed.
- Relief of bowel movements. In some diseases, there is a need to take this drug. The medicine can be recommended for patients suffering from hemorrhoids, proctitis, and rectal fissures.
Recommended Dosages
This drug, like any medication, should be prescribed by your doctor. The doctor will select the necessary dosage regimen and dosage. Information on how to take Bisacodyl can be found in the instructions. But it is best to coordinate it with a specialist.
The summary provides the following recommendations:
- Tablets and dragees must be swallowed whole. They should not be bitten or chewed so as not to break the shell. Only in this case, the drug will begin to affect the colon. The medicine should be washed down with clean water. The use of mineral water or milk for such purposes is unacceptable.
- The drug is used once a day in the prescribed dosage.
- It is best to use the remedy before bedtime. In this case, the desired result will be obtained in the morning.
- It is allowed to take the drug 30 minutes before breakfast. A laxative effect can be expected after lunch.
Dosages of tablets and dragees are completely the same. The summary allows you to consider the rules for taking the drug "Bisacodyl".
Instructions for use of the tablet are recommended as follows:
- Toddlers 2-7 years old. Such children are recommended to take 1 tablet.
- Children 8-14 years old. For severe constipation, it is allowed to increase the dosage to 2 tablets.
- Patients older than 14 years. The dose of the drug is adjusted depending on the severity of the patient's condition. If necessary, it can reach 3 tablets.
- Before surgical interventions or diagnostic procedures, the dose of the drug can be increased by a doctor 2 times.
Suppositories are intended for insertion into the rectum. According to the instructions, the following use of the product is recommended:
- Babies 2-7 years old are injected with 0.5 suppository.
- Children 8-14 years old apply 1 candle.
- For patients older than 14 years, it is allowed to use 1-2 pcs.
- Candles can be used at any time of the day. But it is better to resort to such an event in the morning.
Contraindications
An abstract of the medicine gives a number of conditions and diseases in which the use of the drug “Bisacodyl” is prohibited.
The remedy is contraindicated in such cases:
- individual intolerance;
- intestinal obstruction;
- abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, unexplained genesis;
- children under 2 years old;
- acute inflammation of the peritoneal organs: cystitis, acute hemorrhoids, proctitis, appendicitis;
- spastic constipation (pathology provoked by increased intestinal tone);
- uterine bleeding;
- disturbed water-electrolyte balance;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- intestinal carcinoma (in the case of the use of suppositories);
- rectal ulcers.
Side effects
Sometimes a medication can provoke undesirable reactions. This is evidenced by the drug "Bisacodyl" instructions for use.
Tablets can lead to the appearance of such reactions:
- Common side effects are the occurrence of general weakness, sudden dizziness. Patients may complain of spastic abdominal pain, nausea. Some face dry mouth.
- Such reactions are much less common: a decrease in pressure, impaired coordination, diarrhea, and vomiting. Cramps in the calf muscles may be observed. Some patients have intestinal colic, allergic reactions. Long-term diarrhea can lead to a violation of the water-electrolyte balance.
- Isolated cases are known in which the use of the drug ended in vasospasm, angioedema, colitis or intestinal melanosis.
Features of drug therapy
Before resorting to treatment with this tool, familiarize yourself with the important points:
- Bisacodyl medication is intended for short-term treatment only. For therapeutic purposes, the drug can be used no more than 7-10 days. Long-term use of both suppositories and tablets can lead to serious consequences. The patient against the background of such treatment sometimes develops intestinal atony. With such a pathology, the patient cannot perform the act of defecation on his own. He will need stronger laxatives.
- Use of this drug during pregnancy or the lactation period is allowed only by a doctor. The purpose of the drug should be due to serious indications. In this case, the medicine can be used only in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. It is strictly forbidden to use the drug in the first three months of pregnancy.
- Since the medicine can provoke a number of undesirable effects, during treatment should refrain from driving cars and responsible mechanisms.
- Very carefully, you should approach the combination of the drug "Bisacodyl" with other medicines. The tool is able to enhance the loss of potassium, if used simultaneously with carbenoxolone, corticosteroids, diuretic drugs. The laxative effect can be reduced by such medications: opiates, antacid drugs containing aluminum, anticholinergic and psychotropic drugs.
Cost of medicine
What is the price for the drug "Bisacodyl"? The medicine is a fairly cheap medicine, therefore it is available for any category of patients.
On average, the price of a Bisacodyl drug is as follows:
- tablets (30 pcs.) - 14-27 rubles .;
- candles (10 pcs.) - 42-53 rubles.
Analogs of means
Analogues of the drug "Bisacodyl" are medicines:
- Mikrolaks;
- Alax;
- Dulcolax;
- "Laxatin";
- Sedolax.
Patient opinions
What do people think about Bisacodyl? Patient reviews are found both positive and negative.
Those patients who suffer for a long time from periodic constipation and have tried many different drugs are satisfied with this drug. They confirm that the medication is strong enough and effectively eliminates the problem.
However, there are often references to side effects provoked by the drug "Bisacodyl". Reviews indicate that abdominal pain and cramping often appear. Sometimes patients indicate the occurrence of diarrhea.
Patients claim that suppositories have a milder effect on the body. At the same time, analyzing the reviews of people, we can conclude that the use of suppositories is rarely accompanied by unpleasant side effects.