Bisacodyl

Bisacodyl 10 mg Suppositories

Bisacodyl BP 10mg

Suppository

Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative used for the short-term treatment of constipation and for bowel evacuation before investigational procedures or surgery.

Short-term treatment for constipation:

Adults and children over 10 years:

1 - 2 coated tablets (5 - 10 mg) daily before bedtime, or 1 suppository (10 mg) for immediate effect.

For preparation of diagnostic procedures and preoperatively:

Should only be used under medical supervision.

Adults and children over 10 years

2 coated tablets (10 mg) in the morning and 2 coated tablets (10 mg) in the evening and 1 suppository on the following morning is recommended.

Children under 10 years

Not recommended for children under 10 years.

Bisacodyl is contraindicated in patients with ileus, intestinal obstruction, acute abdominal conditions including appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel diseases, and severe abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting which may be indicative of the aforementioned severe conditions.

Bisacodyl is also contraindicated in severe dehydration and in patients with known hypersensitivity to bisacodyl or any other component of the product.

Bisacodyl Suppositories should not be used when anal fissures or ulcerative proctitis with mucosal damage are present.

Prolonged use may precipitate the onset of an atonic, non-functioning colon.

Laxatives do not help in long-term weight loss.

As with all laxatives, Bisacodyl Suppositories should not be used on a continuous daily basis for more than five days without investigating the cause of constipation.

Prolonged and excessive use may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalance and hypokalaemia.

Intestinal loss of fluids can promote dehydration. Symptoms may include thirst and oliguria. In patients suffering from fluid loss where dehydration may be harmful (e.g. renal insufficiency, elderly patients) Bisacodyl suppositories should be discontinued and only be restarted under medical supervision.

Patients may experience haematochezia (blood in stool) that is generally mild and self-limiting.

Dizziness and / or syncope have been reported in patients who have taken Bisacodyl Suppositories. The details available for these cases suggest that the events would be consistent with defaecation syncope (or syncope attributable to straining at stool), or with a vasovagal response to abdominal pain related to the constipation, and not necessarily to the administration of bisacodyl itself.

There have been isolated reports of abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea occurring after taking bisacodyl. Some cases have been shown to be associated with colonic mucosal ischaemia.

The use of suppositories may lead to painful sensations and local irritation, especially in patients with anal fissures and ulcerative proctitis.

Bisacodyl Suppositories should not be used by children under 10 years without medical advice.

No studies on the effects of Bisacodyl Suppositories on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.

However, patients should be advised that due to a vasovagal response (e.g. to abdominal spasm) they may experience dizziness and / or syncope. If patients experience abdominal spasm they should avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.

Use of the suppositories can occasionally cause rectal irritation, and repeated use may cause proctitis or sloughing of the epithelium. Prolonged use can result in diarrhoea with excessive loss of water and electrolytes, particularly potassium. There is also the possibility of developing an atonic non-functioning colon.

Adverse events have been ranked under headings of frequency using the following convention: Very common (> 1/10); common (> 1/100, < 1/10); uncommon (> 1/1000, <1/100); rare (> 1/10000, <1/1000); very rare (<1/10000).

Not known - incidence cannot be estimated from the available data.

Immune system disorders

Rare: hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reactions, angioedema.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Rare: dehydration.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon: vomiting, haematochezia (blood in stool), abdominal discomfort, anorectal discomfort.

Common: abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhoea.

Rare: colitis.

Nervous system disorders

Uncommon: dizziness.

Rare: Syncope.

Dizziness and syncope occurring after taking bisacodyl appear to be consistent with a vasovagal response (e.g. to abdominal spasm, defaecation).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

Symptoms

If high doses are taken watery stools (diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and a clinically significant loss of fluid, potassium and other electrolytes can occur. There is also the possibility of developing an atonic non-functioning colon.

Laxatives when taken in chronic overdose may cause chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain, hypokalaemia, secondary hyperaldosteronism and renal calculi. Renal tubular damage, metabolic alkalosis and muscle weakness secondary to hypokalaemia have also been described in association with chronic laxative abuse.

Therapy

After ingestion of oral forms of Bisacodyl, absorption can be minimised or prevented by inducing vomiting or gastric lavage. Replacement of fluids and correction of electrolyte imbalance may be required. This is especially important in the elderly and the young. Administration of antispasmodics may be of value.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Contact laxatives

ATC code: A06AB

Bisacodyl is a locally acting laxative from the diphenylmethane derivatives group having a dual action. As a contact laxative, for which also antiresorptive hydragogue effects have been described, bisacodyl stimulates after hydrolysis in the large intestine, the mucosa of both the large intestine and of the rectum. Stimulation of the mucosa of the large intestine results in colonic peristalsis with promotion of accumulation of water, and consequently electrolytes, in the colonic lumen. This results in a stimulation of defecation, reduction of transit time and softening of the stool. Stimulation of the rectum causes increased motility and a feeling of rectal fullness. The rectal effect may help to restore the “call to stool” although its clinical relevance remains to be established

The bisacodyl is present in a micronised state, but apart from this, the base will not affect the rate of action of the drug.

The suppositories are usually effective within 15 - 60 minutes.

No additional data of relevance to the prescriber.

Witepsol H15

None known

3 years (36 Months) unopened.

Store in a dry place below 25°C and away from direct light.

The suppositories are sealed in plastic (PVC/PE) cavities within a cardboard carton in pack quantities of 12 or 150 suppositories.

To remove suppository , tear one from the strip along the perforation then peel it from the container by pulling apart the tabs at the top of the suppository.

Martindale Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Bampton Road,

Romford,

RM3 8UG

PL 0156/0045

06 June 1997

01 May 2015