Dulcolax: instructions for use. Tablets, candles and drops "Dulcolax": reviews

Problems with digestion often become a serious obstacle to a normal person's life, especially if it is associated with constipation. In addition to discomfort, this phenomenon can cause intoxication, affect the condition of the skin, hair and nails. A good remedy to relieve defecation with constipation is Dulcolax. Candles, pills and drops under this name are advertised actively, but are they effective? To understand all the pros and cons of a laxative drug, you should carefully study the instructions for use and reviews about it.

Dosage forms

The laxative "Dulcolax", which will be reviewed further, is available in several dosage forms:

1. Tablets, covered with enteric coating.
2. Dragee for oral administration.
3. Rectal suppositories.
4. Drops for ingestion.

As an active ingredient in tablets and suppositories "Dulcolax", the instruction for use calls the bisacodyl compound. One tablet, coated with enteric or usual coating (dragee), contains 5 mg of active substance. In candles, the amount of this compound is 5 or 10 mg. Drops have in their composition another active ingredient - monohydrate of sodium picosulphate, the content of which in the preparation is about 7.5 mg / 1 ml (15 drops).

Dulcolax tablets have a rounded shape without any risks, the coat is colored yellow-orange. They are placed in contour opaque white cells of 10 cells each. One package contains 20, 30, 50 or 100 tablets.

"Dulcolax" candles describe the instruction as torpedo, white or slightly greyish suppositories without a characteristic smell. They are placed in contour plastic packages of white color, 6 pieces each. One box holds 6, 12 or 18 candles.

The drops are transparent, their color varies from yellow to yellowish brown. They are packed in vials of transparent plastic or glass, equipped with a dispenser. The volume of drops in one package is 30, 50 or 75 ml.

Indications for the use of drops, tablets and suppositories

Among the indications for the appointment of the drug "Dulcolax," the instruction for use calls constipation (hypotonic or atonic), caused by errors in nutrition, age changes, and also occurred in the postoperative and postpartum periods. In addition, all dosage forms can be used as a means to prevent the formation of too much stool in the presence of hemorrhoids, cracks in the anus and at the proctitis.

The drug "Dulcolax" (suppositories, drops and tablets) is recommended for rapid and safe emptying of the intestine during the preparation of the patient for surgical intervention, radiographic or instrumental examination of the abdominal cavity organs.

Mechanism of action

How does this medicine work? The active substance of all dosage forms after reaching the gastrointestinal tract reaches the large intestine in an unchanged form. Under the action of intestinal bacteria, it decomposes to metabolites, which also have a laxative effect. First, bisacodyl derivatives irritate intestinal receptors located in the large intestine, resulting in a multiplication of mucus production. Secondly, these compounds prevent the absorption of fluid from the stool masses by intestinal villi. And thirdly, under their influence, peristalsis intensifies.

What does the instructions for use tell us about the time of the onset of the effect after using Dulcolax? Candles begin to function about an hour after their introduction. The activity of tablets and drops comes somewhat later, after about 6 hours. If the drug is taken orally before bedtime, the effect will be noticeable after 8-12 hours.

Since bisacodyl and its metabolites are not absorbed in the intestine, they practically do not enter the systemic circulation, nor are they found in the liver and bile. Drug is withdrawn through the digestive tract.

Methods of application and dosage

The dosage regimen and the way of taking the drug "Dulcolax" are recommended by the instruction to be based on the age of the patient and the dosage form to be used. Tablets should be taken at least 30 minutes before the first meal or in the evening before bedtime. Daily doses for children and adults are calculated as follows:

• From two to seven years - 5 mg per day;
• From eight to fourteen years - 1 or 2 tablets per day;
• Older than fourteen years - from 1 to 3 tablets per reception.

The instruction does not recommend to chew or grind the preparation "Dulcolax" (tablets). Also, do not drink medicine with alkaline mineral water or milk. According to experts, these are the most often disturbed by patients, resulting in a variety of adverse reactions from the intestine.

How to take other dosage forms of Dulcolax? Instructions for use candles recommends the use of the following dosages:

• Adults and children over fourteen years - 1 or 2 candles (10-20 mg) once a day;
• Children from eight to fourteen years - 1 suppository (10 mg) per day;
• Children younger than eight years - 1 (5 mg) or 1/2 (10 mg) suppository per day.

After the introduction of suppositories, experts advise also to refrain from eating milk and dairy products in order to avoid the occurrence of side effects.

The liquid form of the drug "Dulcolax" (drops) instruction recommends taking shortly before sleep. For children less than four years of age, the dosage is calculated based on body weight, and is 1 drop for every 2 kg. Children under 10 years are allowed to take no more than 10 drops per day. Children over 10 years of age and adults are advised to start treatment for constipation with a dose of 10 drops. If there is no effect, you can gradually increase their number. The maximum dose of the drug should not exceed 20 drops per day.

Adverse Reactions

Regarding the use of all dosage forms of laxative "Dulcolax" instructions for use informs that there is a risk of side effects. Against the background of taking medications, the patient may have colic or abdominal pain accompanied by increased gas production. There is also information about allergic reactions to the components of the drug, which are manifested in the appearance of a rash on the skin, itching in the rectum (using rectal suppositories) and the like.

In addition, there may be diarrhea, which, if you continue to take any dosage forms of Dulcolax, may be complicated by dehydration, lower blood pressure, muscle weakness and convulsions.

As mentioned above, all adverse reactions may increase with simultaneous use of laxatives and dairy products.

Overdose: signs and treatment

With long-term use or non-compliance with the recommended Dulcolax medication regimens (reviewed below), an overdose may occur. Symptoms of this phenomenon can serve as a long-term uninterrupted diarrhea, atony of the thick intestine and dehydration of the body. Laboratory tests can reveal hypokalemia and general disturbance of the water-electrolyte balance. When overdosed with Dulcolax, patients often suffer from severe weakness and dizziness.

Treatment in the above situations should be based on the symptoms. As a rule, it is enough for a patient to stop taking a laxative drug and start consuming a large amount of liquid.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications to the use of all dosage forms of the drug "Dulcolax", the instruction for use mentions such diseases as inflammation of the abdominal organs in the acute stage, including peritonitis, renal and hepatic insufficiency, metrorrhagia, proctitis and hemorrhoids in acute forms, as well as spastic Constipation. In addition, for each dosage form, there are separate contraindications:

• Tablets are not recommended for use in inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) in children under the age of seven and during pregnancy and lactation;
• Candles are contraindicated in carcinoma in the thick part of the intestine and during pregnancy;
• Drops should not be taken by anyone who has fructose intolerance.

Before you start taking drugs, you need to make sure that the above contraindications are not available.

Drug Interactions

Particular attention when taking Dulcolax should be given to the combination of various medications with it. Possible adverse effects with the joint use of several medications. As mentioned above, tablets and drops should not be drunk with mineral water and milk. The thing is that this combination leads to increased gas formation and, as a result, severe pain in the abdomen.

Antacid preparations are also undesirable to take with the laxative "Dulcolax". Tablets, instructions for the use of which were set out earlier, in this case dissolve even in the stomach and can irritatively act on the mucosa of this organ. Otherwise, this drug is well combined with many drugs.

special instructions

What else should consumers know before they start taking the laxative "Dulcolax"? Reviews, tablets which appear most often, testify to this phenomenon when they are taken, like dizziness. This is often due to the development of parasympathetic reactions in patients. Because of excessive straining when you visit the toilet, dizziness can be so strong that a loss of consciousness occurs. In this regard, the instruction recommends using extreme caution when driving vehicles and controlling mechanisms.

Particular caution should be exercised when prescribing laxative tablets and suppositories to pregnant and lactating women. Relatively safe in this regard are the drops of "Dulcolax", however, they should not be taken without prior consultation with the attending physician.

It is not recommended to use laxative "Dulcolax" as a drug for weight loss. As a rule, in this case it will take a long time, and this can negatively affect the condition of almost all organs.

Reviews

One of the most reliable sources about the use and frequency of side effects when taking laxative "Dulcolax" - reviews. Tablets, candles and drops, judging by the commercials, effectively and safely relieve constipation. How are things really in fact? According to the polls conducted, all the dosage forms of the drug really help to get rid of difficulties when emptying the intestines. A large number of consumers indicated the convenience of using tablets or drops in the evening. The chair in this case occurs in the morning.

About half of patients with chronic constipation paid attention to the fact that when taking two tablets at a time (this dosage is provided by the instruction for use), severe diarrhea can develop. That's why experts recommend starting treatment for constipation with one tablet a day. If this dose does not bring the expected result, in a day it can be increased to two tablets. Experts advise before taking the drug to postpone important trips and meetings, since the reaction of the body in each case is individual.

To eliminate constipation in children, doctors recommend using candles, since they act more gently and can not affect the state of the stomach and duodenum. In addition, the reviews say that they practically do not cause allergic reactions of the Dulcolax suppository. Candles consumers' reviews are also called the most suitable means for emergency elimination of constipation. They confirm that the effect of them occurs within one hour. At the same time they notice that it is better to use them during the day, and not in the evening. Otherwise, you can not get enough sleep.

Gets the drug and negative reviews. For example, many of his actions seemed too harsh. Thus, about fifteen percent of the total number of respondents indicated very severe pain in the abdomen after taking Dulcolax tablets. About half of them as the main cause of pain called increased gas production.

The price of the laxative "Dulcolax" is considered by many consumers to be affordable. For example, a package of twenty tablets costs about 150-180 rubles. This amount of medicine can last for a long time, especially if you consider that it is not recommended to take it for more than three days in a row.