This laxative provides a reliable, efficient and quick local action for adults and children 10 years and younger experiencing occasional constipation. This is a product suitable for those having difficulty swallowing and looking for a fast relief (around 20 minutes).

Dulcolax^® Suppositories for Adults contain 10 mg of bisacodyl and can be taken by adults and children over 10 years old (under medical supervision).

Dulcolax^® Suppositories (pediatric suppository) contain 5 mg of bisacodyl and can be taken by children under 10 years old (under medical supervision).

This medication should not be taken on a continuous daily basis or for extended periods without investigating the cause of constipation. Prolonged excessive use may lead to fluid and electrolyte loss and potassium deficiency. Laxatives should be used for no more than 7 days, as infrequently as possible (with a maximum of 1 suppository per day). For longer usage, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Dulcolax^® Pedia Suppositories can be taken at any time during the day, the effect usually occurs in about 20 minutes (range 10 to 30 minutes) after insertion into the rectum².

The suppository is meant for rectal use: Extract the suppository from the lining and insert it into the rectum from the tip side. No need to remove the medicine, it will dissolve and be eliminated along with the stool.

The active ingredient of Dulcolax^® Pedia Suppositories is bisacodyl, which will act directly on the colon’s muscles and it also induces water and salt transport into the gut to initiate bowel movement, therefore facilitating evacuation. This local action guarantees a quick effect (generally between 10 and 30 minutes).

Like every medication, it can have side effects although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects due to Dulcolax^® Suppositories are abdominal pain and diarrhea. If you experience side effects, please stop taking the medicines and see your doctor straight away.

Dulcolax^® Suppositories for Adults, containing 10 mg of bisacodyl, is contraindicated in children under 10 years. Children less than 10 years old may be treated with Dulcolax® pediatric suppositories, containing 5 mg of bisacodyl.

Dulcolax^® Suppositories should not be taken by people who are allergic to the active substance (bisacodyl) or to any of the other ingredients in the product.

Also do not take Dulcolax^® Suppositories if:

• You have severe dehydration
• You have a bowel condition called “ileus” (blockage in the intestine)
• You have a serious abdominal condition such as appendicitis
• You have severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting
• You have a blocked bowel (intestinal obstruction)
• You have inflammation of the bowel (small or large intestine) subject to hereditary conditions incompatible with its active substance or any of the other ingredients.

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Dulcolax^® Pedia Suppositories can be purchased in pharmacies and parapharmacies.

Dulcolax^® products, and any other laxatives, do not help with weight loss. They do not reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients. They can cause watery stools (diarrhea), abdominal cramps and dehydration.

There are many types of laxatives – each works somewhat differently to make it easier to have a bowel movement.

Suppositories laxatives

Medicated suppositories are a typically reliable fast-acting dosage form of stimulant laxatives that are inserted into the rectum. These suppositories which may contain bisacodyl or glycerin aid in moving stool out of the body by providing lubrication and stimulation. They stimulate the bowel muscles in the intestine to help encourage a bowel movement quickly within minutes.

Rather than another type of laxatives, suppositories are an alternative form, to suit the needs of people having difficulties swallowing.

Stimulant laxatives

Stimulant laxatives including bisacodyl, the active substance in Dulcolax^®, has a dual action: Stimulant laxatives induce water and salt transport into the gut which hydrates the stool and makes it easier to pass. In addition, stimulant laxatives stimulate the activity of bowel muscles causing your intestines to contract. These two effects jointly result in an acceleration of stool transit through the colon and have been proven to be very effective and safe in clinical studies. Effectively stimulating the bowel muscles speed up stool movement. They help get things moving.

Stool Softeners laxatives

Stool softeners are just that — products that help make hard, dry, painful stools softer. They work by softening the stool in the intestine, which makes it easier and more comfortable to pass. When used as directed, stool softeners are a safe, gentle way to keep things moving.

Fiber supplements

Fiber supplements add bulk to your stool. Bulky stools are softer and easier to pass. Fiber supplements are traditionally considered as the first-line treatment. They are generally safe, but may increase bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain, and may interfere with the absorption of some drugs.

Osmotic laxatives

Osmotic or saline laxatives help stool move through the large intestine by reducing intestinal fluid absorption. These laxatives contain poorly absorbed substances that hold additional water inside the colon, creating an osmotic gradient, drawing water into the bowel. This hydrates the stool and makes it easier to pass. As a result, saline laxatives help increase the number of bowel movements. An easier time in the bathroom and regular bowel movements? It’s a win-win.

When taking laxatives, side effects can occur during short and long-term treatments (as for any medication). As of today, there is no proof of a specific risk to the colon during long term laxative treatments. Based on experience, stimulant laxatives can be considered safe for long-term use if used as indicated in the patient information/leaflet⁷.

If high doses are taken over extended periods of time, watery stools (diarrhea), abdominal cramps and a clinically significant loss of fluid, potassium and other electrolytes can occur which can damage your health by causing disturbances of electrolyte and mineral balances. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus are electrolytes and minerals that are present in very specific amounts necessary for proper functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Upsetting their balance can cause incorrect functioning of these vital organs. Kidney damage and muscle weakness have also been described in association with chronic laxative abuse⁴.

Available data do not indicate a risk for habituation or addiction ^{8, 9}. Some people suffering from constipation symptoms need to use laxatives constantly to maintain bowel movements without complaints. These people with chronic constipation do not achieve regular bowel movements without complaints such as severe straining. But this constant use is not the result of prior laxative intake. It is rather their condition causing the need for constant use and this should not be misinterpreted as addiction.

Addiction does not have a pharmacological basis because most laxatives are not absorbed and none cross the blood brain barrier which means that they do not reach the brain to cause physical addiction ^{8, 9}.