Laxative Gentle Suppositories Side Effects

Generic name: bisacodyl

Note: This document contains side effect information about bisacodyl. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Laxative Gentle Suppositories.

Some side effects of Laxative Gentle Suppositories may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to bisacodyl: compounding powder, oral delayed release tablet, rectal enema, rectal suppository

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking bisacodyl (the active ingredient contained in Laxative Gentle Suppositories) hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;

• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;

• rectal bleeding;

• severe stomach pain or cramps, severe or ongoing diarrhea or vomiting; or

• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

Less serious side effects of bisacodyl may include:

• dizziness, weakness;

• increased thirst;

• mild stomach pain, gas, indigestion;

• diarrhea or loose stools;

• mild nausea; or

• skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to bisacodyl: compounding powder, oral delayed release tablet, rectal enema, rectal suppository

Gastrointestinal

Bisacodyl causes acute nonspecific inflammatory injury to the rectal mucosa, which can confound the assessment of patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease.

The surreptitious abuse of laxatives is a common cause of severe chronic diarrhea. In some cases, the stool contains fecal leukocytes, which, in this case, is indicative of the irritant effect of bisacodyl (the active ingredient contained in Laxative Gentle Suppositories) (nonspecific colonic mucosal inflammation), and not necessarily of infection. Surreptitious abuse of laxatives due to bisacodyl can be determined by urinalysis for a metabolite, bisacodyl diphenol. In some cases, stool analysis for bisacodyl could be considered in the diagnostic assessment.

Abdominal cramping has been described as a mild, colicky discomfort. This can be a problem since cramping my indicate not only a side effect of bisacodyl, but underlying gastrointestinal pathology.

Abdominal distension and vomiting are less common gastrointestinal side effects.

Gastrointestinal side effects have been reported the most frequently. These have included abdominal cramping, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and vomiting. Severe diarrhea has been reported as a possible result of surreptitious laxative abuse. The sensation of rectal "burning" with administration of bisacodyl enema has been reported.

Metabolic

The metabolic consequences of some Fleet bisacodyl (the active ingredient contained in Laxative Gentle Suppositories) enema preparation kits that contain monobasic or dibasic sodium phosphate in patients with renal insufficiency can be profound. Due to the sodium and phosphate absorption, severe hypernatremia, hypophosphatemia, and hypocalcemia may occur.

Metabolic side effects have included severe hypernatremia, hypophosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. These effects have been reported primarily with Fleet bisacodyl enema preparation kits that contain monobasic or dibasic sodium phosphate and administered to patients with renal insufficiency. Fleet bisacodyl enemas without these ingredients may be used safely in such patients.

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