DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets

DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets contains bisacodyl which works overnight in 6-12 hours to stimulate the muscles in charge of bowel movements, to give your body a little nudge. It also carries water and salt into your gut.

DulcoEase^® Capsules contains docusate sodium and has a dual action effect to soften poo and gently promote a bowel movement.

The tablets can be taken by adult aged 18+.

Medicines can affect the unborn baby. DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets should not be taken in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice before taking DulcoLax^® during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

You shouldn’t take the constipation relief tablets on a continuous daily basis or for long periods without looking into the cause of your constipation. Prolonged excessive use may lead to fluid and electrolyte loss and potassium deficiency. Laxatives should be used for no more than 5 days, as infrequently as possible, (with a maximum of 2 taken per day). If you need to take them for longer, please ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

The recommended dose for adults aged 18+ is 1 – 2 tablets per day. It’s recommended you start treatment with a low dose (1 tablet). The dose may be adjusted up to 2 tablets to help you poo regularly.

The tablet should be taken (swallowed and  not chewed) in the evening before you go to bed. You can expect to poo in the morning (it takes between 6 and 12 hours to act, depending on the person).

The coated tablets should not be taken with products that reduce the acidity of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This includes milk, antacids and proton pump inhibitors.

Like every medication, there are some side effects, though not everybody experiences them. The most common side effects are abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

If you experience any side effects, please stop taking the medicine and see your doctor straight away.

If you’re allergic to the active substance bisacodyl, or to any of the other ingredients in the product, you should not take DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets..

DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets are not suitable for anyone who is intolerant to or cannot digest some sugars (as the tablet contains a small amount of lactose and sucrose).

Also don't take DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets tablets if:

• You are severely dehydrated
• You have a bowel condition called “ileus” (blockage in the 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) subject to hereditary conditions incompatible with its active substance or any of the other ingredients

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There are several types of laxatives – each works differently to help you poo.

Stimulant laxatives

Stimulant laxatives including bisacodyl, the active substance in DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets, have a dual action. They carry water and salt into the gut which hydrates the poo and makes it easier to pass. In addition, they stimulate the bowel muscles, causing your intestines to contract. Together, these two effects speed up the time it takes for poo to travel through the colon. Effectively, stimulating your bowel muscles helps get things moving.

Stool softener laxatives

Stool softeners are just that — products that help make hard, dry, painful poo softer. They work by softening the poo in the intestine, which makes it easier and more comfortable to pass. When used as directed, stool softeners are a gentle way to keep things moving.

Suppositories

Medicated suppositories are a typically effective, fast-acting form of stimulant laxative that are inserted into the rectum. These suppositories, which may contain bisacodyl or glycerin, help move the poo out of the body by providing lubrication and stimulation. They stimulate the bowel muscles in the intestine to help encourage a bowel movement within minutes.

Fibre supplements

Fibre supplements add bulk to your poo. Bulky poos are softer and easier to pass.

Osmotic laxatives

Osmotic or saline laxatives help poo move through the large intestine by drawing water from the rest of the body and into your bowel. This hydrates the poo and make it easier to pass. Saline laxatives can also help keep you regular.

DulcoLax^® Adult Tablets can be purchased in pharmacies and supermarkets, including LloydsPharmacy, Superdrug, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, as well as at Amazon.co.uk.

Dulco^® products, and any other laxatives, do not help with weight loss. They don't reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients. They can cause watery stools (diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and dehydration.