It is always a good idea to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. He or she is most qualified to help you decide which treatment to try, taking into account your medical history and conditions, as well as any medications you take that could interact with Dulcolax or Miralax.
Because they are over-the-counter, Dulcolax and Miralax are usually not covered by insurance or Medicare Part D. Some exceptions may apply, for example, a state Medicaid plan. Also, you may be able to use your health savings credit card to pay for these OTC medications. You can save money on Dulcolax tablets or suppositories or Miralax with a SingleCare card. Simply follow the steps here.
Get the SingleCare discount card. The most common side effects of Dulcolax include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. If you use the suppository form, you may feel local rectal irritation.
If you are still constipated after using Dulcolax for seven days, consult your healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of these serious side effects.
The most common side effects of Miralax include nausea, stomach cramping, and gas. Serious side effects may include excessive bowel movements, persistent diarrhea, severe stomach pain, bloody stools, or rectal bleeding.
Consult your healthcare provider right away if you experience any serious side effects. With either drug, rare but serious allergic reactions may occur. Dulcolax should not be taken within one hour of antacids like Tums or Rolaids, or proton pump inhibitors, because the combination could increase the risk of stomach cramps and other side effects.
Dulcolax should not be taken with other stimulant laxatives because the combination could increase the risk of ulcers or colitis. Miralax should not be taken with Linzess because the combination can increase the risk of dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. This is not a full list of drug interactions. Other drug interactions may occur.
Consult your healthcare provider for a full list of drug interactions. It is always a good idea to consult with a doctor of gastroenterology gastroenterologist if you experience bowel problems, especially if they are frequent or chronic.
The gastroenterologist can do a full workup and evaluation, to determine if you have any underlying conditions causing your constipation that need to be treated.
Dulcolax is an OTC medication that contains bisacodyl, a stimulant laxative. It is available in brand and generic and in tablet or suppository form. The suppository works quickly, producing a bowel movement within minutes, and the tablets take about six to twelve hours to work. Miralax is an OTC medication that contains polyethylene glycol , an osmotic laxative. It is available in brand and generic in powder form. Miralax should produce a bowel movement within one to three days. Both medications are laxatives, but are different types of laxatives and work in different ways.
See above for more information about Dulcolax and Miralax. There are also other types of laxatives, compared in the chart below. The two drugs have not been compared in clinical trials.
Back to Medicines A to Z. Bisacodyl is a laxative. This type of medicine can help you empty your bowels if you have constipation difficulty pooing. Bisacodyl is also used in hospitals to help you empty your bowels before surgery or some examinations or treatments.
Your hospital will explain how to use it. Bisacodyl comes as a tablet and a suppository a medicine that you push gently into your anus. The tablets and suppositories are available on prescription. Small packs are available to buy from supermarkets up to 20 tablets.
Before trying bisacodyl, it's better to try other ways to help your constipation by:. Only use bisacodyl if you have tried other types of laxatives first such as:. Take our survey. Young people aged 12 to 17 years can take bisacodyl tablets and use suppositories if a doctor or pharmacist says it's OK.
Children aged 11 years and under can only take and use bisacodyl if a doctor prescribes it. Only give bisacodyl to someone under the age of 18 if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it.
Bisacodyl is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:. Always follow the advice of a pharmacist or doctor, and the instructions that come with your medicine. The usual dose for adults and young people aged 12 years and over is 5mg to 10mg, taken once a day at bedtime. If you have not taken bisacodyl before, start with one 5mg tablet and if that does not work you can increase the dose to a maximum of two 5mg tablets 10mg at bedtime.
Only give bisacodyl tablets that you buy to someone aged 12 to 17 years if a doctor or pharmacist recommends it. The usual starting dose for adults, and children aged 4 years and over, is 5mg, taken once a day at bedtime. A doctor may prescribe higher doses up to a maximum of 20mg, taken once a day if necessary.
You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not take them with milk. Leave a gap of 1 hour between taking any of these and taking your bisacodyl tablets. This is because they will stop the medicine working properly. Read the instructions in the leaflet inside the package. They will explain how to use the suppository. Take the wrapping off and push a suppository gently into your anus bottom. Suppositories work quickly usually between 10 and 45 minutes , so use it when you know you will be near a toilet.
If you forget a dose of bisacodyl, just take the next dose at the usual time. Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. Taking an extra dose of bisacodyl is unlikely to harm you.
You may get diarrhoea and stomach pain, but this should get better within a day or two. Like all medicines, bisacodyl may cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. These side effects are mild and usually go away after a couple of days. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or do not go away.
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to bisacodyl. These are not all the side effects of bisacodyl. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. Bisacodyl tablets or suppositories are not generally recommended if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether taking bisacodyl is right for you. If you are pregnant, it's better to try to treat constipation first without taking a medicine.
Your doctor or midwife will advise you to eat more fibre and drink plenty of fluids. It may also help to increase your level of exercise if you can. If diet and lifestyle changes do not work, your doctor or midwife may recommend other laxatives, such as lactulose or Fybogel. These are more suitable to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
If your doctor or midwife recommends bisacodyl, rather than lactulose or Fybogel, it's OK to use it while you're breastfeeding. The active ingredients of bulk-forming laxatives can include psyllium, methylcellulose, and sterculia.
Here are options for purchasing bulk-forming laxatives. Lubricant laxatives promote the passage of stool through the bowel by coating the stool in a waterproof film. This allows the stool to both hold on to its moisture and to move more easily through the bowel.
Mineral oil is an example of a lubricant laxative. You can purchase mineral oil here. This increase in fluid can help soften stool and promote its passage through the bowel. The active ingredient in lactulose laxatives is a sugar-like compound. Lactulose laxatives are often used for treatment of long-term or chronic constipation. This type takes 48 to 72 hours. These laxatives are made up of salts in liquid. Saline takes 30 minutes to 3 hours to work.
Polymer laxatives are made up of large molecules such as polyethylene glycol. Like saline laxatives, polymer laxatives are used for the short-term treatment of constipation. Polymers take 6 hours or longer to work. See your options for hyperosmotic laxatives. Stimulant laxatives cause the muscles of your bowels to contract.
This allows stool to pass more readily through your bowels. The active ingredients of stimulant laxatives can include senna, bisacodyl, and sodium picosulphate. Find a stimulant laxative for purchase here. Once inserted, the medication dissolves and enters the bloodstream.
Depending on the active ingredient, suppositories can work to either soften the stool or to stimulate the muscles of your bowels in order to better ease movement of stool. The active ingredients bisacodyl and glycerol can be given as suppositories to treat constipation.
Buy suppositories here. There are some risks that you should be aware of when you use laxatives. These can include:. Be sure to read labels carefully when selecting a laxative.
Some medications, such as antibiotics and heart medications, can interact in a negative way with laxatives. You should always be sure to use laxatives in moderation. If you find that you have to use laxatives often to have a bowel movement, you should visit your doctor to discuss your concerns. Most laxatives are safe to take while breastfeeding, however you should still talk to your doctor before using them.
There are a variety of laxatives available to treat constipation. Some laxatives are better for short-term treatment of constipation while others are more ideal for treating long-term or chronic constipation.
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