Bisacodyl use while Breastfeeding

Drugs containing Bisacodyl: Dulcolax, Dulcolax Laxative, Bisac-Evac, Laxative Gentle Suppositories, Correctol, Magic Bullet, Ducodyl, Bisacodyl Uniserts, Doxidan Tablet, Bisco-Lax, Show all 36 »Gentle Laxative, Bisa-Lax, Fleet Bisacodyl, Colax, Fleet Prep Kit 2, Fleet Prep Kit 1, HalfLytely and Bisacodyl, Dulcolax Bowel Cleansing, Evac-Q-Kwik, Tridate, Royvac Bowel Evacuant, LoSo Prep Bowel Cleansing System, Evac-U-Gen, Dulcogen, Modane, Carter's Little Pills, Gen Lax, Bisolax, Bisa-Plex, Alophen, Fematrol, Veracolate, Ex-lax Ultra, Gentlax Tablet, Feen-A-Mint, Fleet Prep Kit 3

Medically reviewed on Oct 31, 2018

Bisacodyl Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding

Summary of Use during Lactation

Bisacodyl is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and its active metabolite, which is absorbed, is not detectable in breastmilk. Bisacodyl can be taken during breastfeeding and no special precautions are required.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. Sixteen postpartum women who were not breastfeeding, but were producing at least 200 mL of milk daily by breast pump were given either oral enteric-coated bisacodyl tablets (Dulcolax) 10 mg daily or oral liquid sodium picosulfate (Laxoberal) 10 mg daily for 7 days. Both drugs are prodrugs metabolized to the active drug, bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-pyridyl-2-methane (BHPM). All breastmilk was collected daily from the day before drug administration to 2 days after the last dose. Free and conjugated BHPM were undetectable (<1 mcg/L) in all milk samples.[1]

Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in Breastfed Infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Alternate Drugs to Consider

Docusate, Magnesium Hydroxide, Psyllium, Senna

References

1. Friedrich C, Richter E, Trommeshauser D et al. Lack of excretion of the active moiety of bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate into human breast milk: an open-label, parallel group, multiple dose study in healthy lactating women. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2011;26:458-64. PMID: 21697613

Bisacodyl Identification

Substance Name

Bisacodyl

CAS Registry Number

603-50-9

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Cathartics

Gastrointestinal Agents

Administrative Information

LactMed Record Number

448

Disclaimer

Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.

Further information

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