Dulcolax - suppositories

Dulcolax - Suppositories are a laxative.

Application

1. What is Dulcolax and what is it used for?

Dulcolax - Suppositories are a laxative. Through the contact of the active ingredient Bisacodyl with the mucous membrane of the colon, they stimulate your bowel movement. In the stomach and small intestine, Dulcolax - Suppositories have no effect when used correctly. Therefore, they neither change the digestion nor the absorption of calories and nutrients in the small intestine.

Dulcolax - Suppositories are used

­	for the short-term relief of intestinal sluggishness and constipation;
­	for the preparation of operations and examinations;
­	in diseases that require relief of bowel movements.

How is it used?

What is Dulcolax and what is it used for?

Dulcolax - Suppositories are a laxative. Through the contact of the active ingredient Bisacodyl with the mucous membrane of the colon, they stimulate your bowel movement. In the stomach and small intestine, Dulcolax - Suppositories have no effect when used correctly. Therefore, they neither change the digestion nor the absorption of calories and nutrients in the small intestine.
Dulcolax - Suppositories are used

• for the short-term relief of intestinal sluggishness and constipation,
• for the preparation of operations and examinations,
• in diseases that require relief of bowel movements.

What should you consider before taking it?

What should you consider before using Dulcolax?

Dulcolax must not be used,

• if you are allergic to Bisacodyl or any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in section 6,
• if you suffer from intestinal obstruction or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract,
• if you suffer from acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract,
• if you suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with acute attacks (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis),
• if you have acute abdominal pain that requires surgery, such as acute appendicitis,
• if you have severe abdominal pain together with nausea and vomiting - these may indicate a serious illness,
• if you have a severe loss of body water and consequently a disturbance of the
  electrolyte balance.

Dulcolax - Suppositories must also not be used in children under 10 years of age. Warnings and precautions
Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Dulcolax - Suppositories,

• if you need laxatives daily or over a longer period of time - in this case, you must have the cause of the constipation clarified by a doctor, as prolonged
  excessive use of laxatives can lead to disturbances in the fluid and
  electrolyte balance, for example potassium deficiency and, as a consequence, renewed constipation (rebound phenomenon) (see also "Use of Dulcolax together with other medicines"),
• if you notice thirst or decreased urine output - these may be signs of dehydration due to fluid loss, which can be harmful to elderly patients and patients with impaired kidney function. You must stop using Dulcolax - Suppositories and may only resume using them under the supervision of your doctor.
• if you have anal fissures and inflammation of the rectum (ulcerative proctitis) - pain and irritation in this area may occur.

The occurrence of blood in the stool - usually slight and temporary - is possible.
Regular use or use of higher than recommended doses of Dulcolax - Suppositories in bulimia (binge-eating disorder) constitutes misuse, which can lead to serious side effects and must be avoided. Psychotherapeutic measures are required for bulimia.
Stimulating laxatives such as Dulcolax do not help you lose weight.
Cases of dizziness and/or fainting have been reported after using Dulcolax - Suppositories. These incidents may be due to the consequences of constipation (increased pressure during bowel movements, pain). They are not necessarily due to the use of Dulcolax - Suppositories.
Use of Dulcolax together with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking/using, have recently taken/used or intend to take/use any other medicines.
If you use diuretics or medicines from adrenal cortex hormones (adrenal corticosteroids) together with Dulcolax - Suppositories, your body may lose more potassium. Such a possible potassium deficiency can increase the effects and side effects of medicines used to treat heart failure (so-called cardiac glycosides) when used at the same time.
Gastrointestinal complaints can be aggravated by the simultaneous use of other laxatives.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you suspect you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
Dulcolax - Suppositories should - like all medicines - be avoided during pregnancy and only used on the recommendation of a doctor.
Clinical studies show that Bisacodyl and its metabolites do not pass into the breast milk of healthy nursing women. Therefore, Dulcolax can be used during breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
Dizziness and/or fainting may occur as a reaction to e.g. abdominal cramps and increased pressure during bowel movements (see section "Warnings and precautions"). If such side effects occur, you should refrain from activities that require increased attention (e.g. participating in road traffic, operating machinery).

How should the medicine be taken?

How to use Dulcolax?

Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended dose is:
For constipation
Adults: 1 suppository (10 mg) for immediate evacuation
The recommended maximum daily dose should not be exceeded.
Use in children and adolescents
Children and adolescents over
1 suppository (10 mg) for immediate evacuation
10 years:
The recommended maximum daily dose should not be exceeded.
Dulcolax suppositories are not suitable for children under 10 years of age because the recommended dosage of 5 mg Bisacodyl for children aged 2 to 10 years is exceeded by the use of one suppository.
Type of application
For rectal use.
Dulcolax - Suppositories are used once a day as needed. Suppositories are usually effective within 20 minutes (between 10 and 30 minutes).
Remove the suppositories from their wrapper and insert them into the rectum with the pointed end first.
Duration of use
Prolonged use should be avoided. The need for continued use should be reviewed after one week and the required duration of use should be determined in each individual case.
To prepare for operations and examinations
Complete bowel evacuation should always be carried out under medical supervision. The attending physician determines the required laxatives in each individual case, taking into account the specific circumstances.
To ensure complete bowel evacuation, you should use both Dulcolax - Dragees and Dulcolax - Suppositories as directed by your doctor.
Adults, adolescents
On the day before the examination, morning and evening
and children over 10 years:
2 Dulcolax - Dragees (10 mg) each and 1 Dulcolax - Suppository (10 mg) on the morning of the examination
Applications for diseases that require facilitated bowel movements
In diseases that require facilitated bowel movements, the dosage is initially the same as for short-term use for the treatment of constipation (1 Dulcolax suppository). Your doctor will continuously adjust the dosage to the specific requirements of your condition.
If you have used more Dulcolax than you should
If you have accidentally used more than the prescribed dose, please inform a doctor. He will decide on any necessary measures.
In acute overdose, increased watery stools, stomach cramps and loss of fluid, potassium and other electrolytes may occur.
Chronic overdose of laxatives can generally lead to persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, potassium deficiency, excessive production of the adrenal cortex hormone aldosterone and kidney stones. Damage to the kidneys, disturbances in the acid-base balance with acidosis of the blood and muscle weakness due to potassium deficiency have also been described as a result of chronic misuse of laxatives.
Note for medical professionals
Information on overdose can be found at the end of the package leaflet.
If you forget to use Dulcolax
Continue using it at the next time. Do not use double the amount if you have forgotten the previous application.
If you stop using Dulcolax
Dulcolax - Suppositories are only used when needed and should be discontinued after the symptoms have subsided.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What side effects are possible?

How to store Dulcolax?

Do not store above 30 °C.
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton/foil strip. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated. Do not dispose of medicines in wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the medicine when you stop using it. You help to protect the environment.

Special storage conditions

5. How should Dulcolax be stored?

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

Do not store above 30 °C.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton/foil strip.

Do not dispose of medicines in wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the medicine when you stop using it. You help to protect the environment.

Special information on the content

Contents of the pack and further information

What Dulcolax contains

• The active ingredient is: Bisacodyl. 1 suppository contains 10 mg Bisacodyl.
• The other ingredient is: Hard fat

How Dulcolax looks like and contents of the pack
White to slightly yellowish, torpedo-shaped suppositories
Aluminum foil strips
Packs of 6 and 100 suppositories