Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Bisacodyl may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
How to take it
the suppositories
The suppositories should only be used in your back passage. 1. Take off the foil wrapping 2. L ie on one side and pull your knees up towards your chest. Keep one leg drawn up more than the other 3. U se your first finger (index finger) or middle finger to push in the suppository 4. G ently push the suppository as far as possible into your back passage, pointed end first 5. O nce it is as far as it will go, push it side-ways to make sure it touches the wall of the bowel 6. L ower your legs to a comfortable position whilst the suppository is retained in place 7. Keep the suppository inside you for at least 30 minutes
If you feel the suppository might come out straight away:
- You may not have put it in high enough. Push it in as far as possible
- Try to keep it in for 30 minutes, even if you feel like you urgently need to go to the toilet. This is how long it takes to work
The recommended dose is: For constipation Adults and children over 10 years
- Put one 10 mg suppository into the back passage for immediate effect. Only use one suppository per day
Children under 10 years
- Put one 5 mg suppository into the back passage for immediate effect. Only use one suppository per day
For bowel clearance before surgery, X-rays or other tests
In hospitals, when patients are being prepared for surgery, X-rays or other tests, Dulcolax Suppositories and Dulcolax Tablets are both used. This helps to get complete bowel clearance.
Adults and children over 10 years
- Take two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening and use one 10 mg suppository on the following morning
Children 4 -10 years
•G ive one tablet in the evening and one 5 mg suppository (Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories) on the following morning
Length of treatment
These suppositories should not be used every day for more than 5 days. If you need laxatives every day, then you should see your doctor to find the cause of your constipation. Overuse can be harmful.
If you use too many Dulcolax Suppositories than you should
It may be harmful to
- Use too many Dulcolax Suppositories or
- Use Dulcolax Suppositories for too long This is because using too many for too long may lead to:
- Imbalance of fluid and salts in the body. This can affect the tightness of muscles such as those in the bowel. It can also affect the salts in the blood.
- Low levels of potassium in the blood (called 'hypokalaemia'). This can make you tired, dizzy, make your muscles weak and cause an uneven heart-beat.
- Dehydration, making you thirsty, feel faint and giving you headaches. It can also mean you cannot pass enough urine. If you use more of this medicine than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you; this is so the doctor knows what you have taken. If you have any questions on the use of this product, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Dulcolax Suppositories can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience any of the following side effects, please stop taking the medicines and see your doctor straight away:
Rare side effects (affect less than 1 in 1000 people)
- Severe allergic reactions which may cause swelling of the face or throat and difficulty in breathing or dizziness. If you have a severe allergic reaction, stop taking this medicine and see a doctor straight away.
- Colitis (inflammation of the large intestine which causes abdominal pain and diarrhoea)
- Dehydration
- Allergic reactions which may cause a skin rash
- Fainting
Uncommon side effects (affect less than 1 in 100 people)
- Blood in the stools
- Vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- Discomfort inside and around the back passage
- Dizziness
Common side effects (affect less than 1 in 10 people)
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Dulcolax Suppositories •K eep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
- Do not use Dulcolax Suppositories after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C
- Keep the blister within the outer carton to protect from light •D o not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information What Dulcolax Suppositories contain
- Dulcolax 10 mg Suppositories contain 10 mg of the active ingredient bisacodyl
- Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories contain 5 mg of the active ingredient bisacodyl
- Both the suppositories are made from hard fat, which is an ingredient needed to mould the suppository into the correct shape
What Dulcolax Suppositories look like and contents of the pack
- The suppositories are white and torpedo shaped. •D ulcolax 10 mg Suppositories are available in packs of 6, 10, 12, 20, 50 and 200. Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories are available in packs of 5, 6, 48 and 50. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder Opella, 410 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT, United Kingdom. Tel: 0800 035 2525 Email: [email protected] Dulcolax Suppositories are manufactured by: Istituto De Angeli S.r.I., Località Prulli n. 103/c 50066 Reggello (FI), Italy. This leaflet was revised in July 2025. ® Registered trade mark 439186/GB/4
Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Dulcolax Suppositories are and what they are used for Dulcolax Suppositories contain a medicine called bisacodyl. This belongs to a group of medicines called laxatives. •D ulcolax Suppositories are used to treat constipation
- Dulcolax Suppositories are also used to clear the bowel before surgery, X-rays or other tests
- Dulcolax Suppositories stimulate the muscles of the bowel (large intestine). They have a laxative effect usually within 10 to 30 minutes
- This medicine does not help with weight loss
What is constipation?
Normal and regular bowel movement is important for most people. However, what is "normal and regular" varies from person to person. Some may have a bowel movement every day, others less often. Whatever it is like for you, it is best that your bowel movement has a regular pattern. •C onstipation is an occasional problem for some people; for others, it may happen more often
- It happens when the normal muscle actions in the bowel (large intestine) slow down. This can mean that the material is not easily eliminated from the body The cause of constipation is often not known. It can be associated with:
- Sudden change of diet
- A diet with not enough fibre
- Not drinking enough fluids •L oss of 'tone' of the bowel muscles in older people
- Pregnancy
- Medicines such as morphine or codeine
- Having to stay in bed for a long time
- Lack of exercise Whatever the cause, constipation is uncomfortable. It may make you feel bloated and heavy, or generally "off colour". Sometimes it causes headaches. These healthy tips are recommended to try and prevent constipation happening:
- Eat a balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables •D rink enough water so that you do not become dehydrated
- Keep up your exercise and stay fit •M ake time to empty your bowels when your body tells you
769372
Plant PM code:
10054720
Second Plant PM code:
439186/GB/4
Version of artwork:
V1
PM type:
PI
Market:
GB
Format:
160 x 305 mm
Issue date of artwork:
01/Jul/2025
Print colors:
Do not use Dulcolax Suppositories if:
•Y ou are allergic (hypersensitive) to bisacodyl or hard fat
- You have severe dehydration
- You have a bowel condition called "ileus" (blockage in the intestine)
- You have a serious abdominal condition such as appendicitis
- You have severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting
- You have a blocked bowel (intestinal obstruction)
- You have inflammation of the bowel (small or large intestine)
- You have cracking of the skin around your back passage (anal fissures)
- You have inflammation or ulcers around your back passage (ulcerative proctitis) Do not use Dulcolax Suppositories if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using this medicine.
Other medicines and Dulcolax Suppositories
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is because Dulcolax Suppositories can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way Dulcolax Suppositories work.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
- Water tablets (diuretics) such as bendrofluazide or furosemide (frusemide)
- Steroid medicines such as prednisolone.
- Other laxative medicines. If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your pharmacist or doctor using taking Dulcolax Suppositories.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
Talk to you pharmacist or doctor before using Dulcolax Suppositories if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast feeding.
Driving and using machines
Some people may feel dizzy or faint while taking this medicine. If this happens to you, wait until these feelings go away before driving or using machines.
3. How to use Dulcolax Suppositories Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Otherwise, follow the instructions below. If you do not understand the instructions, or if you are not sure, ask your pharmacist or doctor. As with all laxatives, Dulcolax Suppositories should not be used every day for more than 5 days. If you need laxatives every day, or if you have abdominal pain which does not go away, you should see your doctor.
Technical information for pitch code
File information GMID code:
2. What you need to know before you use Dulcolax Suppositories
Technical information for Plant Barcode
= 2 mm
= 0,5 mm
Pan Black
= 8 mm
= 1,5 mm
Number of print colors:
1
= 2 mm
= 10 mm
Used font:
Arial
Min. font size:
9 pt
= 1,5 mm = 9 mm
Technical colors Diecut-Legendcase
Free area
Glue points
= 72 mm = 1 mm
Frequently asked questions about Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories
How do I take Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories?
Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories comes as suppository containing 5mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories?
The active substance in Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories is bisacodyl.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: bisacodyl
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Constipation, either chronic or of recent onset, whenever a stimulant laxative is required.
Bowel clearance before surgery or radiological investigation. Replacement of the evacuant enema in all its indications.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Short-term treatment for constipation:
Adults and children over 10 years:
1 suppository (10 mg) daily for immediate effect.
Children 4 – 10 years:
1 suppository (5 mg) daily for immediate effect.
It is recommended to start with the lowest dose. The dose may be adjusted up to the maximum recommended dose to produce regular stools.
The maximum daily dose should not be exceeded.
In the management of constipation, once regularity has been restarted dosage should be reduced and can usually be stopped.
Children aged 10 years or younger with chronic or persistent constipation should only be treated under the guidance of a physician. Bisacodyl should not be used in children aged 4 years or younger.
For preparation of diagnostic procedures and preoperatively
For preparation of diagnostic procedures, in pre- and postoperative treatment when defaecation needs to be facilitated, Dulcolax should be used under medical supervision. The tablets should be combined with suppositories in order to achieve complete evacuation of the intestine.
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 (10 mg) on the following morning is recommended.
Children aged 4 -10 years of age: 1 coated tablet (5 mg) in the evening and 1 suppository (5 mg) on the following morning is recommended.
Instructions for use:
It is recommended to take the coated tablets at night to have a bowel movement the following morning. They should be swallowed whole with an adequate amount of fluid.
The coated tablets should not be taken together with products which reduce the acidity of the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as milk, antacids or proton pump inhibitors, in order not to prematurely dissolve the enteric coating.
Suppositories are usually effective in about 20 minutes (usual range 10 to 30 minutes). Rarely the laxative effect has been reported 45 minutes after administration. They should be unwrapped and inserted into the rectum pointed end first.
No specific information on the use of this product in the elderly is available. Clinical trials have included patients over 65 years and no adverse reactions specific to this age group have been reported.
4.3. Contraindications
Dulcolax 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.
Dulcolax is also contraindicated in severe dehydration and in patients with known hypersensitivity to bisacodyl or any other component of the product
Dulcolax Suppositories should not be used when anal fissures or ulcerative proctitis with mucosal damage are present.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
As with all laxatives, Dulcolax should not be used on a continuous daily basis for more than five days without investigating the cause of constipation.
Long-term everyday use of stimulant laxatives may harm the intestinal function and should be avoided. If laxatives are needed every day the cause of the constipation should be investigated. This product should only be used if a therapeutic effect cannot be achieved by a change of diet or the administration of bulk forming agents.
Prolonged 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) Dulcolax should be discontinued and only be restarted under medical supervision.
Stimulant laxatives (including Dulcolax) do not help with weight loss (see section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties).
Patients may experience haematochezia (blood in stool) that is generally mild and self-limiting.
If the symptoms worsen during the use of the medicinal product, a doctor or
Pharmacist should be consulted.
Dizziness and / or syncope have been reported in patients who have taken Dulcolax. 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.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The concomitant use of antacids and milk products may reduce the resistance of the coating of the tablets and result in dyspepsia and gastric irritation.
The concomitant use of diuretics or adreno-corticosteroids may increase the risk of electrolyte imbalance if excessive doses of Dulcolax are taken.
Electrolyte imbalance may lead to increased sensitivity to cardiac glycosides.
The concomitant use of other laxatives may enhance the gastrointestinal side effects of Dulcolax.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Fertility
No studies on the effect on human fertility have been conducted.
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Long experience has shown no evidence of undesirable or damaging effects during pregnancy.
Lactation
Clinical data show that neither the active moiety of bisacodyl (BHPM or bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane) nor its glucuronides are excreted into the milk of healthy lactating females.
Nevertheless, as with all medicines, Dulcolax should not be taken in pregnancy, especially the first trimester, and during breast feeding unless the expected benefit is thought to outweigh any possible risk and only on medical advice.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effects of Dulcolax 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.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The most commonly reported adverse reactions during treatment are abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
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).
Immune system disorders
Rare: anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, hypersensitivity.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Rare: dehydration.
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).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Uncommon: haematochezia (blood in stool), vomiting, abdominal discomfort, anorectal discomfort.
Common: abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and nausea.
Rare: colitis including ischaemic colitis.
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 or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Symptoms
If high doses are taken watery stools (diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and a clinically significant loss of fluid, potassium and other electrolytes can occur.
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 Dulcolax, 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.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
- BISACODIL SINTOFARM 10 mg over the counterBISACODYLUM · rectal / vaginal
- DULCOLAX 10 mg over the counterBISACODYLUM · rectal / vaginal
- LAXAMAG 10 mg over the counterBISACODYLUM · rectal / vaginal
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
- Bisacodyl GSKBisacodylum · rectal / vaginal
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Dulcolax 5 mg Suppositories. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.