Laxatives are a type of medicine that is typically used when a person has difficulty bowel movements. Bisacodyl is one of these drugs. It affects the intestines, improving peristalsis and increasing mucus secretion in the walls of the large intestine.
All this simplifies the passage of feces through the tract and they leave the body without problems. Bisacodyl is available in several forms and has certain indications and contraindications for use. How long does it take for Bisacodyl to work?
Release form and composition
The dosage form of Bisacodyl-Hemofarm is tablets coated with an enteric sugar coating: yellow, round (in a cardboard pack there are 3 blisters of 10 tablets each).
Composition of 1 tablet:
- active substance: bisacodyl – 5 mg;
- auxiliary components: lactose monohydrate – 23.677 mg; corn starch – 23.677 mg; povidone K-25 – 1.121 mg; sodium carboxymethyl starch – 1.979 mg; colloidal silicon dioxide – 0.273 mg; Magnesium stearate – 0.273 mg;
- enteric coating: copolymer of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate (1:1) – 5 mg; macrogol 6000 – 0.55 mg; talc – 1.5 mg;
- sugar shell: sucrose – 22.36 mg; acacia gum – 1.392 mg; macrogol 6000 – 0.032 mg; talc – 12.733 mg; yellow quinoline dye (E 104) – 2.717 mg; titanium dioxide (E 171) – 2.717 mg.
Can pregnant women use it?
The use of any drug in the form of tablets and suppositories during pregnancy should be discussed with a gynecologist. The doctor will select a safe remedy and tell you whether it can be used during a particular period of gestation. The instructions for Bisacodyl suppositories and tablets say that they can be prescribed during pregnancy, but with caution.
It should be borne in mind that it is not only pregnancy that can interfere with taking certain medications. A woman may have other contraindications that need to be taken into account.
In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman is advised to stop taking any medications unless absolutely necessary. During this period, the risk of miscarriage is high. However, changes in hormonal levels along with a decrease in physical activity lead to intestinal disturbances. As a result, constipation develops.
To solve this problem in the first trimester of pregnancy, you should select the most gentle means possible. Bisacodyl is not one of these. It is prescribed to pregnant women in the early stages in the most extreme cases. Duphalac and its analogs will be safe during pregnancy. Many other drugs cause a sharp increase in peristalsis, which can cause miscarriage.
In later stages, it is permissible to use a laxative in the form of rectal suppositories. They begin to act quickly and do not have a systemic effect.
As the uterus grows during pregnancy, the intestines become increasingly compressed, making constipation more likely. In the last trimester, a woman most of all needs funds to improve the passage of stool.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Bisacodyl-Hemofarm is a laxative. Leads to irritation of the intestinal receptor apparatus and directly affects the intestinal mucosa (due to increased peristalsis and increased secretion of mucus in the large intestine).
When taken orally, the effect of the drug occurs after 6 hours; in cases where Bisacodyl-Hemofarm is taken before bedtime – after 8–12 hours.
Pharmacokinetics
It is not absorbed in the intestines.
Bisacodyl is a prodrug; in an alkaline environment, hydrolysis occurs, resulting in the formation of a metabolite that has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.
Review of analogues
Absolute analogues are drugs with an identical name, to which the manufacturer’s company identifier is added. The medications contain the same type of active substance (bisacodyl) in a dosage (5 mg). Having the same effect, indications and restrictions, the drugs help treat constipation. List of the most famous laxative compounds:
- Bisacodyl Grindeks (Latvia);
- Bisacodyl Acri (Russia);
- Bisacodyl OBL (Russia);
- Bisacodyl Akrikhin (Russia);
- Bisacodyl Altfarm (Russia).
Due to the presence of a unique shell, which prevents the release of the active substance, the tablet form is successfully transported to the intestines. When it enters its alkaline environment, the active ingredient is released, but without absorption by the walls of the rectum. Metabolized bisacodyl causes irritation of the receptors with which the intestinal mucosa is saturated, which leads to increased peristalsis along with an increase in the volume of mucous secretion in the organ cavity.
List of drugs with similar effects
Analogues of the drug Bisacodyl Hemofarm, but with a different name, include Guttalax Express, presented in the form of suppositories (rectal). The drug Dulcolax is produced in tablets and suppositories with the same parameters as those produced by the manufacturer Hemofarm. Substitutes for the original remedy for constipation include oral Duphalac syrup and Picolax tablets. Herbal laxative pills to induce stool Senade, which should not be taken for more than 2 weeks, as well as several dosage forms of Laxatin.
Guttalax and Picolax
Bisacodyl analogues made on the basis of sodium picosulfate are prescribed according to indications. The products differ from each other in the form of release. Picolax is produced in tablets of 5 mg or 7.5 mg, drops of 0.75% concentration, their use is especially convenient for helping young children. Dosage of any form according to age category.
The medication Guttalax is presented as a solution of transparent drops, which helps women during pregnancy and lactation. And the active substance has a local laxative effect, making bowel movements easier in the morning if you take drops at night. How to use a laxative solution during a short treatment period:
- adults and children over 10 years old should take 10-20 drops;
- The dosage for small patients 4 to 10 years old is 5-10 drops.
The fact of overdose threatens the development of diarrhea, intestinal spasms, loss of electrolytes, which requires symptomatic treatment. The droplet form of release is not intended for long-term therapy; contraindications include acute inflammation of the retroperitoneal organs. A product called Guttalax Express, available in the form of suppositories (rectal), contains 10 mg of the active substance bisacodyl in one suppository.
Dulcolax
The manufacturer produces the medicine in tablets and suppositories with the same parameters as the manufacturer Hemofarm. The choice of an analogue of Bisacodyl, which helps treat constipation, is relevant for prescribing it to elderly patients, as well as to bedridden patients (after childbirth, surgery).
The use of tablets is accompanied by increased peristalsis after at least 6 hours.
The use of rectal suppositories is characterized by a more rapid onset of a relaxing effect due to direct (local) stimulation of the nerve receptors of the intestinal mucosa.
Like any medication, Dulcolax has a specific list of contraindications, which are described in detail in the annotation for the drug. Among the prohibitions on treatment with strong laxatives are children under 6 years of age, an inadequate reaction to the components of the medicinal composition, and bleeding (rectal, uterine, gastric). An overdose of any form of medication leads to dehydration and the development of hypokalemia.
Duphalac
The medication, produced in the form of a lactulose-based syrup, is used to treat chronic constipation that affects elderly patients. In addition, the regulator of physiological rhythms of bowel movements helps to cleanse the intestines before a medical examination or surgery in the area of the large intestine or anus. An analogue of Bisacodyl is used by patients with hemorrhoids, as well as those suffering from intestinal dysbiosis and enteritis. How to take the product according to indications:
- starting dose for softening stool for adults - 15-45 ml daily;
- dosage to maintain bowel regularity - 15-30 ml.
Laxative syrup can be diluted with water or drunk undiluted in one or two doses before the morning meal. Features of choosing a pediatric dose depending on the age of the child are described in detail in the instructions for Duphalac. The use of syrup during pregnancy is not prohibited, since the presence of the active substance does not harm the fetus. The short list of contraindications includes signs of acute intestinal obstruction, a negative reaction to lactose, and a tendency to bleeding (intestinal).
Contraindications
Absolute:
- acute proctitis;
- peritonitis;
- strangulated hernia;
- intestinal obstruction;
- acute inflammatory diseases of the abdominal organs;
- abdominal pain of unknown etiology;
- gastroenteritis;
- acute hemorrhoids;
- appendicitis;
- bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
- metrorrhagia;
- spastic constipation;
- cystitis;
- age up to 3 years;
- individual intolerance to any component of the drug.
Carefully:
- renal/liver failure;
- pregnancy and lactation period.
How to take Bisacodyl in different forms
Bisacodyl suppositories must be administered into the rectum.
Suppositories must be administered rectally, the permissible dosage is up to two pieces per day. Initially, it is recommended to administer one suppository at a time, and if this does not relieve constipation, then the dosage is doubled.
You can administer suppositories, regardless of whether there is one or two, only once a day. To insert a suppository, it must be removed from the package and inserted into the rectum, while using your fingers, try to push it as deeply as possible. You can administer the suppositories at any convenient time, hoping that within an hour the product will have its effect.
The effectiveness of candles does not depend on food intake. When using Bisacodyl for bowel movements before surgery or diagnostics, the drug is taken as follows: in the evening, on the day before surgery, 2-4 tablets are taken, and in the morning, on the day of the procedure, one suppository is administered rectally. This ensures the maximum required effect.
As for Bisacodyl in the form of tablets and dragees, the dosage of the drug depends on the age of the patient. Adolescents over 12 years of age and adults are allowed to take the drug once a day, up to three tablets at a time.
The best option is to use one tablet before bedtime, and the dosage should be increased if the desired effect is not achieved. The procedure for taking Bisacodyl and its dosage depends on the situation and the form of the drug.
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Instructions for use of Bisacodyl-Hemofarm: method and dosage
Bisacodyl-Hemofarm is taken orally, preferably 30 minutes before breakfast or before bedtime. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a small amount of water, without chewing or breaking.
Frequency of administration – 1 time per day.
Recommended single dose:
- adults and children over 14 years of age: 1–3 tablets;
- children 8–14 years old: 1–2 tablets;
- children 3–7 years old: 1 tablet.
During the period of preparation for surgical operations, instrumental/radiological examinations, 2 tablets are prescribed at night the day before they are performed and the same dose the night before the operation or examination.
How Bisacodyl works
The main property of the drug is to improve the peristalsis of the large intestine.
This laxative is used to eliminate problems with bowel movements. Bisacodyl, as the active substance of the drug, after penetration into the intestine is exposed to metabolic processes, after which it is converted into a substance that directly affects the walls of the large intestine.
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Its effect lies in several basic properties of the drug. The first thing to note is the improvement in colon motility. As a result, the process of stool movement accelerates, and it quickly approaches the anus. Another property of the drug is to promote the secretion of mucus by the cells of the intestinal walls.
Mucus, enveloping feces, greatly simplifies the process of emptying the body. It is these two properties that provide the laxative effect after taking the drug.
Finally, it can be noted that the remedy leads to the release of water into the intestines, while simultaneously preventing its absorption. The liquid softens the stool, while at the same time increasing its volume. This additional effect also promotes the bowel movement process by increasing bowel activity.
The action of Bisacodyl is characterized by several effects, which together significantly simplify the process of bowel movement.
special instructions
Drug interactions of the laxative drug Bisacodyl:
- effectiveness decreases when used simultaneously with antacids (Omeprazole, Ranitidine, Omez), in addition, this combination can cause stomach irritation and pain;
- effectiveness decreases when combined with psychotropic, anticholinergic drugs;
- laxative enhances the effect of cardiac glycosides when used together for a long time;
- taking together with Furosemide, Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone and other diuretics increases the development of potassium deficiency.
The safety of Bisacodyl suppositories is due to the fact that when administered rectally they do not cause systemic reactions, the active component is not carried along with the blood and does not penetrate the placenta. The tablets have a different mechanism of action, so they are not recommended during pregnancy. Only rectal suppositories can be prescribed, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy and immediately before childbirth.
