Dulcolax Review
Dulcolax is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim, which describes itself as “a global group of companies embracing many cultures and diverse societies. It’s one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies and is headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany. There are currently 142 Boehringer Ingelheim offices around the world.
What is Dulcolax?
Dulcolax comes in the form of easy-to-swallow tablets. Some tablets are specially designed for women, while others are designed for overnight use, where they provide relief “within 6 to 12 hours”, or whenever you wake up.
Each Dulcolax pill contains 5mg of Bisacodyl. You swallow 1-2 pills and within 12 hours you should have complete relief from constipation.
Dulcolax is a laxative used to treat constipation and cleanse the bowels. It’s the branded form of a generic drug called Bisacodyl.
Benefits of Dulcolax
The key benefits of Dulcolax include:
— Take It Prior To A Surgery To Cleanse Your System And Prepare Your Body
— Take It To Relieve Constipation And Clean Out Your Digestive System
— Take It To Encourage Healthy, Regular, And On-time Bowel Movements
As you can see, Dulcolax is a specialized drug with just one central benefit: relieving constipation and encouraging healthy, normal bowel movements.
Does Dulcolax Work?
Dulcolax currently has a rating of 9.1 out of 10 on Drugs.com for its Bowel Preparation benefits and 7.0 out of 10 for its Constipation benefits.
Most users report that Dulcolax worked quite well. Some users report feeling severe abdominal pains when taking more than the recommended daily dosage. Most recommend drinking lots of water in order to avoid painful side effects.
One of the most-cited reports on Dulcolax comes from a medical journal called Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. That journal published a study in February 1995 which examined the laxative effects of Bisacodyl and other popular laxatives.
The three laxatives tested include lactose, lactulose, and Bisacodyl. Lactose “did not have any laxative effect” and the “laxative effect was mild with lactulose.” However, Bisacodyl was observed to drastically accelerate small and large intestinal transit while also increasing stool weight and decreasing stool consistency.
Overall, Bisacodyl is considered a well-researched drug: a search for Bisacodyl on PubMed.gov reveals a total of 504 different studies on Bisacodyl.
Dulcolax Products
There are three different Dulcolax products currently on the market, including:
— Dulcolax Suppositories: Designed to be inserted into the rectum, these provide fast relief in 15 to 60 minutes.
— Dulcolax Laxative Tablets: Taken orally, these supplements provide overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours.
— Dulcolax for Women: Taken orally, these supplements provide overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours. Constipation affects more women than men, so these supplements contain special ingredients which make them easier for women’s digestive tracts to process.
Dulcolax comes in packs of 50, 80, and 200 tablets. You can purchase it over-the-counter at most pharmacies and drug stores.
How to Use Dulcolax
Using Dulcolax is relatively straightforward: you swallow the pill whole (avoid crushing, chewing, or breaking the pill, as it’s lined with a special coating to protect your stomach).
If you’re taking Dulcolax prior to a surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions with regards to your dosage and frequency.
Otherwise, the recommended dosage is as follows:
— Adults: 1 Or 2 Tablets At Night
— Children 4 To 10 Years: 1 Tablet At Night
— Children Under 4 Years: Use Only When Recommended By A Doctor
Avoid taking Dulcolax within one hour of drinking milk or taking any type of milk products. You should also avoid taking antacids within one hour of Dulcolax to avoid upset stomach problems.
Side Effects of Dulcolax
According to WebMD.com, Dulcolax comes with a number of side effects. Those side effects include stomach and abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and weakness.
These effects typically occur when taking more than the recommended daily dose of Dulcolax. However, some users may experience these symptoms regardless of their dosage.
More serious symptoms typically do not occur. However, some users have reported experiencing more serious vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea along with muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, decreased urination, mental confusion, and mental/mood changes.
Some users also experience an allergic reaction to Dulcolax, although this is rare.
If any of the above symptoms persist or worsen, you’re advised to contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Some users also report being able to avoid many of these side effects simply by taking Dulcolax with lots of water.
Conclusion: Who Should Use Dulcolax?
Dulcolax may be an effective medication for anyone trying to cleanse their digestive system or relieve constipation.
Some doctors also recommend using Dulcolax before a medical test or surgery.
Talk to your doctor before using Dulcolax or any other type of medication. Whether you’re suffering from constipation or simply want to cleanse your system, Dulcolax is a popular and well-studied drug which appears to be effective on most users.
Am male., 210lbs & 57yrs.. Been dealing w/occasional constipation or only partial movements for many years now.. Have always relied on Dulcolax (or generic equivalent) for relief.. When the need arises for use., 1 tablet w/tall glass of water before bed is all that take.. (On rare occasions have taken 2 but again that is very rare..) Normally 6-8hrs after I will have such a grand movement w/another sometime after that.. Such a pleasant feeling of being flushed out of what was sitting rotting inside me.. Can’t say that have experienced the many bad side effects.. At the most I will get some minor cramps but they pass by quickly tho will say that Dulcolax does cause me to pass gas as the time nears for movement.. Besides that., nothing more bad happens to my system.. Am so pleased that the product exists & does just what it states will do & does.. I recommend Dulcolax to others.. Take the required dose w/water & give it time to work.. You will feel so “relieved & refreshed” in many ways afterwards..