Bisacodyl
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| Clinical data | |
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| Trade names | Fleet, Dulcolax, Brooklax, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a601027 |
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| Routes of administration | By mouth, rectal |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 15% |
| Metabolism | Liver (CYP450-mediated) |
| Elimination half-life | 16 hours |
| Excretion | Primarily in the feces, systemically absorbed drug is excreted in the urine |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.009.132 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C22H19NO4 |
| Molar mass | 361.397 g·mol−1 |
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Bisacodyl is an organic compound that is used as a stimulant laxative drug. It works directly on the colon to produce a bowel movement. It is typically prescribed for relief of episodic and chronic constipation and for the management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction, as well as part of bowel preparation before medical examinations, such as for a colonoscopy.[1][2]
Bisacodyl is a derivative of triphenylmethane. It was first used as a laxative in 1953 because of its structural similarity to phenolphthalein.[3][4]
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[5] In 2023, it was the 293rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 400,000 prescriptions.[6][7]
Medical uses
Bisacodyl is used to treat both episodic and chronic constipation, manage symptoms of neurogenic bowel dysfunction, as well as for bowel preparation for a colonoscopy.[1][2]
Available forms
Bisacodyl is marketed under the trade names Dulcolax/Durolax, Muxol, Fleet, Nourilax, Alophen, Correctol, and Carter's Little Pills (formerly Carter's Little Liver Pills),[8] as well as being available generically. It is usually sold as 5 mg tablets, 10 mg suppositories, or 5 mg pediatric suppositories. It is also available as a 1.25 US fluid ounces (37 ml) pre-packaged enema containing a 10 mg delivered dose of liquid bisacodyl.[9]
Administration
When administered rectally in suppository form, it is usually effective in 15 to 60 minutes. For optimal use, if used as a suppository, it is recommended that bisacodyl be given after breakfast to synchronize with the gastrocolic reflex.[2]
As a commercially prepared micro-enema, it is usually effective in 5 to 20 minutes.[9]
Mechanism of action
Bisacodyl works by stimulating enteric neurons to cause peristalsis (i.e., colonic contractions). It is also a contact laxative; it increases fluid and salt secretion. The action of bisacodyl on the small intestine is negligible; stimulant laxatives mainly promote evacuation of the colon.[9]
References
- ^ a b Wexner SD, Beck DE, Baron TH, Fanelli RD, Hyman N, Shen B, et al. (June 2006). "A consensus document on bowel preparation before colonoscopy: prepared by a task force from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)". Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 63 (7): 894–909. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2006.03.918. PMID 16733101.
- ^ a b c Wald A (January 2016). "Constipation: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment". JAMA (Review). 315 (2): 185–91. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.16994. PMID 26757467.
- ^ Stiens SA, Luttrel W, Binard JE (November 1998). "Polyethylene glycol versus vegetable oil based bisacodyl suppositories to initiate side-lying bowel care: a clinical trial in persons with spinal cord injury". Spinal Cord. 36 (11): 777–81. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3100702. PMID 9848486.
- ^ Evans IL (1964). "Methods and techniques: The use of Bisacodyl suppositories in preparation for sigmoidoscopy". Gut. British Medical Journal. 5 (3): 271–3. doi:10.1136/gut.5.3.271. PMC 1552120. PMID 14178715.
- ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
- ^ "The Top 300 of 2023". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 17 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Bisacodyl Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2014 - 2023". ClinCalc. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Medicine: Cut Out the Liver". Time. 16 April 1951. Archived from the original on 8 November 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ^ a b c Engelhorn R, Seeger E, Zwaving JH (2000). "Laxatives". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a15_183. ISBN 3527306730.