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 Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL)
⚠ 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.
What it is and what it is used for
for 2. What you need to know before you take Dulcolax Adult Tablets 3. How to take Dulcolax Adult Tablets 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Dulcolax Adult Tablets 6. Contents of the pack and other information 1. What Dulcolax Adult Tablets are and what they are used for Dulcolax Adult Tablets are used for the short-term relief of occasional constipation. Dulcolax Adult Tablets contain bisacodyl and belong to a group of medicines known as stimulant laxatives, which increase bowel movements. 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.
- Constipation 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 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
- Loss 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 can be uncomfortable. It may make you feel bloated and heavy or generally "off colour". Sometimes it causes headaches. It is recommended to use changes in diet and bulk forming medicines to control constipation before using this medicine. These healthy tips are recommended to try to prevent constipation happening:
- Eat a balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables
- Drink enough water so that you do not become dehydrated
- Keep up your exercise and stay fit
- Make time to empty your bowels when your body tells you
2. What you need to know before you take Dulcolax Adult Tablets Do not take Dulcolax Adult Tablets if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to bisacodyl or any of the other ingredients in the product (listed in Section 6: Contents of the pack and other information)
- You are intolerant to or cannot digest some sugars (as the tablet contains a small amount of lactose and sucrose)
- 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) Do not take this medicine if any of the above applies to you. Do not use in children under the age of 18 years. If you are not sure, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking this medicine. Does this help with weight loss? Stimulant laxatives (including bisacodyl) do not help with weight loss. They do not reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients. They can cause watery stools (diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and dehydration. Dehydration can seem like weight loss. Overuse of laxatives may damage your health by:
- Causing disturbances of electrolyte and mineral balances. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus are electrolytes and minerals that are present in very specific amounts necessary for proper functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Upsetting this delicate balance can cause incorrect functioning of these vital organs.
- Severe dehydration may cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and, in extreme cases, death. Dehydration often requires medical treatment.
- Overuse of laxatives must be avoided as it may harm the intestinal function. Other medicines and Dulcolax Adult Tablets Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is because Dulcolax Adult Tablets can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way Dulcolax Adult Tablets 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 before taking Dulcolax Adult Tablets Pregnancy and breast feeding Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking Dulcolax Adult Tablets if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast feeding.
325270-01
File information GMID code:
952223 / 952224
Plant PM code:
10056383
Second Plant PM code:
325270-01
Version of artwork:
V1
PM type:
PI
Market:
GB
Format:
160 x 290 mm
Issue date of artwork:
13/Mar/2026
Print colors:
Black
Number of print colors:
1
Used font:
Bliss Pro
Min. font size:
8 pt
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. Dulcolax Adult Tablets contain lactose and sucrose The tablets contain a small amount of lactose and sucrose in each tablet. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucraseisomaltase insufficiency should not use this medicine. If you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
How to take it
Dulcolax Adult Tablets Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your pharmacist if you are not sure. For constipation: Adults (including the elderly): 1 to 2 tablets at night.
- Swallow the tablets whole with water. The tablets should not be chewed or crushed. •M ilk, antacids or proton pump inhibitors (medicines which reduce stomach acid) should not be taken within one hour before or after taking Dulcolax Adult Tablets. This is because they will stop the Dulcolax Adult Tablets from working properly If you have not taken Dulcolax Adult Tablets before, start with one tablet and increase to two if necessary. When your bowel regularity has returned to normal, the dose can usually be stopped. Length of treatment These tablets should not be taken 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 take more Dulcolax Adult Tablets than you should It may be harmful to
- Take too many Dulcolax Adult Tablets or
- Take Dulcolax Adult Tablets for too long This is because taking too many for too long may lead to:
- I mbalance 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.
- L ow levels of potassium in the blood (called 'hypokalaemia'). This can make you tired, dizzy, make your muscles weak and cause an uneven heart-beat. •D ehydration, making you thirsty, feel faint and giving you headaches. It can also mean you cannot pass enough urine. If you take 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 Adult Tablets 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 at: 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 Adult Tablets
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
- Do not take Dulcolax Adult Tablets 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 strip within the outer carton
- Do 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.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Dulcolax Adult Tablets contain
- Each tablet contains 5 mg of bisacodyl as the active ingredient
- The other ingredients are: lactose monohydrate, maize starch, sucrose (approximately 21 mg per tablet), glycerol, magnesium stearate, talc (E553b), acacia (powdered), white beeswax (E901), shellac (E904), carnauba wax (E903), titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172), methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer, castor oil and macrogol 6000 What your tablets look like and the contents of the pack Dulcolax Adult Tablets are yellow. They are packed in cartons containing blister strips. The cartons contain 8, 10 or 20 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. The Marketing Authorisation is held by: Opella, 410 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT, United Kingdom. Dulcolax Adult Tablets are manufactured at: Delpharm Reims S.A.S. 10 Rue Colonel Charbonneaux 51100 Reims, France. This leaflet was revised in March 2026 ® Registered trade mark
For electronic version of this leaflet scan the QR code. This paper leaflet might not be the latest version and thus different to the electronic leaflet which is the last updated version available.
325270-01
Frequently asked questions about Dulcolax Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL)
How do I take Dulcolax Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL)?
Dulcolax Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL) comes as tablet 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 Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL)?
The active substance in Dulcolax Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL) is bisacodyl.
Are there equivalent medicines to Dulcolax Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL)?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Bisalax Constipation Relief 5mg Tablets Adult, Boots Constipation Relief 5mg Tablets Adult, Dulcolax Twelve Plus 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (P). In total there are 6 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Dulcolax Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL), 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 Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL) 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
For the short-term relief of occasional constipation.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults: 1 to 2 coated tablets (5-10 mg) daily before bedtime.
Should not be used in children or adolescents under the age of 18 years.
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.
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.
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.
In case of hereditary conditions that may be incompatible with an excipient of the product (please refer to “Special warnings and special precautions for use” the use of the product is contraindicated.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Should not be used in children or adolescents under the age of 18 years.
As with all laxatives, bisacodyl should not be taken 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) bisacodyl should be discontinued and only be restarted under medical supervision.
Stimulant laxatives (including bisacodyl) 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.
DULCOLAX Tablets contain a small amount of lactose (33.2 mg) and sucrose (23.4 mg) in each tablet. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
The leaflet will state:
“Before you take this medicine” section
Does this help with weight loss?
Stimulant laxatives (including bisacodyl) do not help with weight loss. They do not reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients. They can cause watery stools (diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and dehydration. Dehydration can seem like weight loss.
Overuse of laxatives may damage your health by:
• Causing disturbances of electrolyte and mineral balances. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus are electrolytes and minerals that are present in very specific amounts necessary for proper functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Upsetting this delicate balance can cause incorrect functioning of these vital organs.
• Severe dehydration may cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and, in extreme cases, death. Dehydration often requires medical treatment.
• Overuse of laxatives must be avoided as it may harm the intestinal function.
The label will state:
Front of pack:
• Does not help with weight loss.
• Overuse can be harmful.
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. Pregnancy and lactation
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Long experience has shown no evidence of undesirable or damaging effects during pregnancy.
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.
No studies on the effect on human fertility have been conducted.
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.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Dulcolax Adult 5 mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (GSL). 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.