Your questions answered: Products & ingredients
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We would like to answer you some frequently asked questions about the product and its components: |
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1. | How does Dulcolax® work? | |
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The active ingredient in Dulcolax® Tablets is Bisacodyl. In Dulcolax® Liquid, the active ingredient is Sodium Picosulphate. Both take effect only in the colon itself. Dulcolax® laxatives stimulate the colon's muscles to contract and, thereby, push the colon's contents along. They also help ease elimination by accumulating water to soften the colon's contents. | |
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2. | I had cramps after taking Dulcolax®. Is that normal? | |
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As with every medicine, other effects occasionally occur.
After taking Dulcolax® Tablets stomach discomfort, faintness or cramps are occasionally reported.
Taking Dulcolax® Tablets less than one hour after taking antacids or consuming dairy products such as milk
and yoghurt can result in a less acidic stomach and therefore in stomach discomfort and/or cramps. If you have
taken an acid reducer such as those mentioned above, wait at least one hour before taking Dulcolax® in order to
help prevent the tablets' special coating - designed to help prevent gastric irritation - from dissolving too soon.
Dulcolax® should not be taken with medications that reduce stomach acid. You may experience abdominal discomfort, faintness, rectal burning or cramps after taking Dulcolax® Suppositories. |
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3. | Can I take Dulcolax® with milk or antacids? | |
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No. You should not take Dulcolax® with acid reducers, which include antacids and dairy products such as milk and yoghurt. Dulcolax® Tablets are specially coated so that their active ingredient is released only in the colon. If you have taken an acid reducer, wait at least one hour before taking Dulcolax® in order to help prevent the coating from dissolving before it reaches the colon, and possibly causing gastric irritation and/or cramps. | |
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4. | I have trouble swallowing pills. Can I chew or crush Dulcolax® Tablets? | |
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No. Tablets must be swallowed whole; not chewed, crushed or broken. Dulcolax® Tablets are specially coated to help reduce gastric irritation and to allow the active ingredient to be released only in the colon. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you may find Dulcolax® liquid easier to take. | |
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5. | Can I take Dulcolax® when taking other medications? | |
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Dulcolax® should not be taken with medications that reduce stomach acid, such as antacids. As with any laxative, consult a doctor if you are taking any medication. Dulcolax® also should not be taken within one hour of using dairy products, such as milk and yoghurt. See the question "Can I take Dulcolax® with milk or antacids?" for more information. |
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6. | Is Dulcolax® sodium free? | |
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Tablets and suppositories contain less than 0.2 mg per dosage and are, therefore, dietetically sodium free. | |
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7. | What should I do if the suppository seems soft and I'm worried about it breaking? | |
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If the suppository seems soft, hold it (while still in the foil wrapper) under cold water for 1 to 2 minutes. | |
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8. | Can I store Dulcolax® Suppositories in the refrigerator? | |
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Dulcolax® Suppositories should be stored below 77°F (25°c). Therefore, they may be stored in the refrigerator if the room temperature exceeds 77°F (25°c) in order to help keep suppositories from softening. Allow the product to return to room temperature before using. | |
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9. | Can I take more than the recommended dose of Dulcolax®? | |
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No. Dulcolax® is reliable in the generally recommended dose. You should stop taking any laxative, including Dulcolax®, and consult a doctor if you do not have a bowel movement within 12 hours or if rectal bleeding occurs. This could be a sign of a serious condition. You also should consult a doctor if you need a laxative for more than one week. | |
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10. | Is Dulcolax® suitable for losing weight? | |
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No. Dulcolax® is not a weight loss product. It has no influence on the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. Consult your health care professional for assistance if you are worried about your weight. | |
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11. | Are there differences in the quality of the pure substance Bisacodyl and Dulcolax®? | |
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Yes. It is known that the mode of action of a substance can be modified and optimised by pharmaceutical technology. Different drugs with the same active ingredient are often processed differently and can show considerable differences in effect. Dulcolax® is the original. The active ingredient Bisacodyl stems from research at Boehringer Ingelheim. Dulcolax® is designed in such a way that the active ingredient is transported unchanged through the stomach and small intestine. Neither the gastric acid nor the juices in the small intestine can damage the substance. It only takes effect in the colon. This special design virtually avoids stimulation of the gastric or small intestinal muscles, absorption in the bloodstream or conversion of the substance in the liver. | |
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