Dulcolax® is a drug containing the active ingredient bisacodyl and belongs to the group of so-called laxatives. A laxative is a drug that can regulate intestinal movements and is thus used to treat constipation. Colloquially, Dulcolax® thus belongs to the group of “laxatives“.
Dulcolax® is available in various dosage forms. It can be taken orally in the form of dragees, drops or as a powder to be dissolved in water, or taken rectally in the form of suppositories. In addition to the drug, which is marketed under the trade name Dulcolax®, there are now numerous generic drugs containing the same active ingredient. The drug is available without prescription in pharmacies. In the case of long-term treatment for constipation, a doctor can issue a prescription for long-term use of Dulcolax®.
When should I take Dulcolax®?
Dulcolax® and other drugs with the same active ingredient are used for short-term use in severe constipation. There is also the option of using it for bowel evacuation before surgical or diagnostic procedures, such as a colonoscopy. It is best to discuss with a physician whether it is advisable to take Dulcolax® in an individual case.
Especially if constipation occurs frequently or if taking Dulcolax® does not bring about any improvement, a visit to the doctor is recommended to clarify the symptoms. As a general rule, the medication should only be taken when symptoms of constipation occur in order to prevent undesirable side effects of the medication. Depending on food intake and individual intestinal mobility, bowel emptying can vary between several times a day and three times a week.
Constipation in the narrower sense is only to be assumed if the bowel is emptied three times a week. The causes for the occurrence of constipation are numerous. A general distinction must be made between acute and chronic constipation.
An acute constipation occurs once only and is characterized by the rare (less than three times a week) emptying of the bowel and possibly other symptoms such as abdominal pain and a bloated abdomen. In most cases, acute constipation is a reaction of bowel activity to acute psychological stress. Chronic constipation is when the symptoms of constipation persist for more than three months, problems with bowel movement occur or there is a feeling of incomplete bowel movement.
Dulcolax® can be used as a therapy for both acute and chronic constipation and can provide symptom-free relief. However, in order to be able to treat constipation permanently and to ensure normal bowel activity even after the medication has been discontinued, a precise analysis of the cause of constipation is necessary. A detailed anamnesis of the family doctor or a nutritional consultation can help to find the reason for the constipation.
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