Dulcolax Suppositories 10 mg
Dulcolax Suppositories for Children 5 mg
bisacodyl
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription. You need to use DULCOLAX Suppositories as instructed in this leaflet to get the best results from it.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again
- Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
- You must contact your pharmacist or doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 5 days of treatment
- If a side effect occurs and gets troublesome, or seems serious to you, or if you experience any side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your pharmacist or doctor
In this leaflet:
- 1. What DULCOLAX Suppositories are and what they are used for
- 2. Before you use DULCOLAX Suppositories
- 3. How to use DULCOLAX Suppositories
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store DULCOLAX Suppositories
- 6. Further information
What Dulcolax Suppositories Are And What They Are Used For
DULCOLAX Suppositories contain a medicine called bisacodyl. This belongs to a group of medicines called laxatives.
- DULCOLAX Suppositories are used for relief of constipation
- DULCOLAX Suppositories are also used in hospitals to clear the bowel before surgery, X-rays or other tests
- DULCOLAX Suppositories stimulate the muscles of the bowel (large intestine), helping to return the body to its natural rhythm. They have a laxative effect usually within 30 minutes
What is constipation?
Normal and regular bowel movement is important for most people. However, what is “normal and regular” varies from person to person. Some may have a bowel movement every day, others less often. Whatever it is like for you, it is best that your bowel movement has a regular pattern.
- Constipation is an occasional problem for some people; for others, it may happen more often
- It happens when the normal muscle actions in the bowel (large intestine) slow down. This can mean that the material is not easily eliminated from the body
The cause of constipation is often not known. It can be associated with:
- Sudden change of diet
- A diet with not enough fibre
- Loss of ‘tone’ of the bowel muscles in older people
- Pregnancy
- Medicines such as morphine or codeine
- Having to stay in bed for a long time
- Lack of exercise
Whatever the cause, constipation is uncomfortable. It may make you feel bloated and heavy, or generally “off colour”. Sometimes it causes headaches.
These healthy tips are recommended to try and prevent constipation happening:
- Eat a balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables
- Drink enough water so that you do not become dehydrated
- Keep up your exercise and stay fit
- Make time to empty your bowels when your body tells you
Before You Use Dulcolax Suppositories
Do not use DULCOLAX Suppositories if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to bisacodyl or hard fat
- You have severe dehydration
- You have a bowel condition called “ileus” (in the small 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)
- You have cracking of the skin around your back passage (anal fissures)
- You have inflammation or ulcers around your back passage (ulcerative proctitis)
Do not use DULCOLAX Suppositories if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. This is because DULCOLAX Suppositories can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way DULCOLAX Suppositories work.
In particular, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Water tablets (diuretics) such as bendrofluazide or furosemide (frusemide)
- Steroid medicines such as prednisolone
Before using DULCOLAX Suppositories, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure if any of the above applies to you.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using DULCOLAX Suppositories if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
How To Use Dulcolax Suppositories
If this medicine is from your doctor or pharmacist, do exactly as they have told you. Otherwise, follow the instructions below. If you do not understand the instructions, or if you are not sure, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
As with all laxatives, DULCOLAX Suppositories should not be used every day for more than 5 days. If you need laxatives every day, or if you have abdominal pain which does not go away, you should see your doctor.
How to use the suppositories
The suppositories should only be used in your back passage.
- 1. Take off the foil wrapping
- 2. Lie on one side and pull your knees up towards your chest. Keep one leg drawn up more than the other
- 3. Use your first finger (index finger) or middle finger to push in the suppository
- 4. Gently push the suppository as far as possible into your back passage, pointed end first
- 5. Once it is as far as it will go, push it side-ways to make sure it touches the wall of the bowel
- 6. Lower your legs to a comfortable position whilst the suppository is retained in place
- 7. Keep the suppository inside you for at least 30 minutes
If you feel the suppository might come out straight away:
- You may not have put it in high enough. Push it in as far as possible
- Try to keep it in for 30 minutes, even if you feel like you urgently need to go to the toilet. This is how long it takes to work
How much to use
For constipation
Adults and children over 10 years
- Put one 10 mg suppository into the back passage for immediate effect. Only use one suppository per day
Children under 10 years
DULCOLAX Suppositories for Children 5 mg should only be used if recommended by a doctor. The usual dose is:
- Put one 5 mg suppository into the back passage for immediate effect. Only use one suppository per day
For bowel clearance before surgery, X-rays or other tests
In hospitals, when patients are being prepared for surgery, X-rays or other tests, DULCOLAX Suppositories and DULCOLAX Tablets are both used. This helps to get complete bowel clearance.
Adults and children over 10 years
- Take two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening and use one 10 mg suppository on the following morning
Children 4 -10 years
- Give one tablet in the evening and one 5 mg suppository (DULCOLAX Suppositories for Children) on the following morning
If you use more DULCOLAX Suppositories than you should
If you use more of this medicine than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have used.
If you have any questions on the use of this product, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, DULCOLAX Suppositories can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Common side effects (affect less than 1 in 10 people)
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
Uncommon side effects (affect less than 1 in 100 people)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- Blood in the stools (usually mild and self-limiting)
- Discomfort inside and around the back passage
Rare side effects (affect less than 1 in 1000 people)
- Allergic reactions which may cause a skin rash or itching
Unknown – incidence of side effect cannot be estimated from the available data
- Colitis (inflammation of the large intestine which causes abdominal pain or diarrhoea)
- Dehydration which can make you feel thirsty and produce less urine. If you are dehydrated drink plenty of liquid.
- Serious allergic reactions which may cause swelling of the face or throat and difficulty in breathing or dizziness. If you have a severe allergic reaction, stop taking this medicine and see a doctor straight away.
If a side effect occurs and gets troublesome or seems serious to you, or if you experience any side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your pharmacist or doctor.
How To Store Dulcolax Suppositories
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
- Do not use DULCOLAX Suppositories after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C
- The suppositories should be protected from light. Keep them in the outer carton
- Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment
Further Information
What DULCOLAX Suppositories contain
- DULCOLAX Suppositories 10 mg contain 10 mg of the active ingredient bisacodyl
- DULCOLAX Suppositories for Children 5 mg contain 5 mg of the active ingredient bisacodyl
- Both the suppositories are made from hard fat, which is an ingredient needed to mould the suppository into the correct shape
What DULCOLAX Suppositories look like and contents of the pack
- The suppositories are white and torpedo shaped
- DULCOLAX Suppositories 10 mg are available in packs of 12
- DULCOLAX Suppositories for Children 5 mg are available in packs of 5
Marketing Authorisations are held by:
DULCOLAX Suppositories are manufactured by:
This leaflet was revised in May 2010.
Registered trade mark
© Boehringer Ingelheim Limited 2010
XXXXXX/GB/7
20080918
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