Bisacodyl
Active ingredient · 2 therapeutic classes
Sold as Laxative · Laxative Gentle · Gentle Laxative · Dulcolax Laxative · DULCOLAX
- Drug class
- Contact Laxatives
- Availability
- Over-the-counter
- Routes
- Oral, Rectal
- Markets covered
- 3
- Products on record
- 65
- FDA reports (12 mo)
- 736
Overview
Plain-language summary, compiled from the cited regulatory records
Bisacodyl is a medication classified as a contact laxative [1]. It is approved for use as a laxative [1].
This medication is available under various brand names, including Dulcolax Laxative and Walgreens Gentle Laxative [1]. In the past 12 months, there have been 736 adverse event reports associated with bisacodyl [2]. Among the reported adverse events, common themes include off-label use, nausea, condition aggravation, the drug being ineffective, and vomiting [2].
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Regulatory status by market
| Market | Regulator | Products | Last revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA Canada | Health Canada | 31 | March 17, 2026 |
| US United States | FDA | 18 | May 5, 2026 |
| GB United Kingdom | MHRA | 16 | May 15, 2026 |
CACanada· Health Canada
31 products
Uses
10 Dulcolax Prescribing Information Page 3 of 11 DULCOLAX® Bisacodyl PART I: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SUMMARY PRODUCT INFORMATION Route of Administration Dosage Form / Strength Clinically Relevant Nonmedicinal Ingredients Oral tablet 5 mg acacia, carnauba wax, corn starch (dried/soluble), D&C red no.
30, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, glycerin, glyceryl monostearate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer dispersion, methylparaben, polyethylene glycol, propylparaben, polysorbate 80, povidone, sodium benzoate, sucrose, talc, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, white wax.
Rectal suppository 10 mg hard fat INDICATIONS AND CLINICAL USE DULCOLAX is indicated for: • Relief of occasional constipation • Under medical supervision, for the preparation of diagnostic procedures, in pre- and postoperative treatment, and in conditions which require defecation to be facilitated.
CONTRAINDICATIONS DULCOLAX is contraindicated in: • Patients who are hypersensitive to this drug or to any ingredient in the formulation or component of the container. For a complete listing, see the DOSAGE FORMS, COMPOSITION AND PACKAGING section of the Prescribing Information.
USUnited States· FDA
18 products
Uses
Directions -detach one suppository from the strip -remove wrapper before inserting into the rectum adults and children 12 years of age and older 1 suppository once daily children 6 to under 12 years 1/2 suppository once daily children under 6 years do not use
How to take
GBUnited Kingdom· MHRA
16 products
Uses
For human medicinal use For the short-term relief of occasional constipation.
How to take
Drug interactions
Known interactions involving Bisacodyl. Select one for details. This list is informational and not a complete interaction checker.
Interaction data compiled from DDInter (academic, CC-BY). Severity classification only - this is not a complete interaction checker and not medical advice.
Sources & citations
- [1]Health Canada (DPD) · 00003875 · revised March 22, 2025
- [2]FDA DailyMed · 015e41d2-7543-42… · revised January 15, 2026 [PDF]
- [3]MHRA (UK) · PL334140138 · revised June 27, 2025
- [4]OpenFDA adverse-event reports (US), 12 months ending June 4, 2026.
Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.