Dulcolax Laxative and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Cat...
• July 19, 2021

For Constipation "I took these pills at 9 a.m., and by 1 p.m. I was overcome with intense stomach cramps, shaking, sweating, and diarrhea. Since 1 p.m. I’ve had multiple bouts of diarrhea, and I’m extremely nauseous. It’s now 6:30 p.m., and I’m literally afraid to leave my bedroom for fear I may not make it to the bathroom. Constipation is better than this. I will be throwing this product in the trash and advise others not to use it."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2020

For Constipation "Took 2 Dulcolax Pink at 10:30 pm due to not having a bowel movement for 3 days. I have IBS, and constipation can be sickening. Woke at 5:30 am with severe stomach cramps and feeling nauseous. Went to the restroom but no bowel movement. Finally able to go back to sleep and woke at 8:00 and started having loose bowel movements, then it changed to completely water. Have had an entire day of diarrhea and a sick stomach. This medicine is horrendous! Read the reviews before taking! Will not use again!"

• Rom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

For Constipation "I am still recovering from the worst evening and night of my life. I took 3 Dulcolax pills yesterday afternoon. I had some results by evening, but the cramping got worse and worse. They would come in waves and increase in intensity like a contraction. I began to throw up, and that continued, as did the excruciating pain all night. Between 4 and 6 a.m., I had diarrhea and enough relief that I could sleep for a couple of hours. Today I still have some diarrhea, a bad headache, as I try to rehydrate. I was drenched in sweat during the night and thought I might die. This is not gentle. There should be warnings on the box. Never again!!"

• yik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2019

For Constipation "I get constipation a lot because of another health issue, and the first time I used this, I took 1, and yeah, it worked but gave me cramps and diarrhea for a couple of days. Next time, I cut the tablets into quarters and had a single quarter. It worked so much better. I had slight cramps for around an hour after taking, then it eased up, and I felt a lot better. A lot of the bad reviews are people that took 2/3 tablets. Don’t do that. Take a quarter around dinner, and if you still feel constipated, then take another quarter before bed. You shouldn’t get as much pain."

• Rab...
• September 15, 2019

For Constipation "I had been feeling constipated for a few days, got fed up, and decided to take 1 Dulcolax that happened to be in the medicine cabinet. I’ve never taken a laxative in my entire life, so didn’t know what to expect. Very unpleasant cramping (about two hours after taking 1 pill), followed by somewhat ‘normal’ (at least not rock hard) stool shortly after the cramping/bloating began, and then a few minutes later, crazy diarrhea. Sounds like I got away with minimal discomfort, though, compared to what others have written. I made sure I kept drinking water—sipping a bit every few minutes after taking the pill. I believe this might have helped, but I can’t imagine taking 2 or even 3 at once; that sounds insane! This stuff does its job, but can result in some very painful bloating and projectile diarrhea—but I’ve never taken other laxatives, so not sure if this is the ‘norm’. But personally, I’d rather go through the pain than be constipated."

• HEW...
• September 4, 2018

For Constipation "After reading all the reviews, I was terrified to try this. But I had already taken two tablets before I read the reviews. I had drunk about six bottles of water throughout the whole day because I read water is key to avoid side effects. I took two tablets at 10 a.m., and after six hours, nothing. Woke up in the night maybe around 2 a.m. to some mild cramping, but still couldn't go to the toilet. This morning at 7 a.m., I got up to more cramping, was on and off the toilet with cramps, pooping out nothing more than a few rabbit pellets. After about two hours of up and down to the toilet with cramps and nothing coming out, everything broke loose. Finally, after a huge spasm, it all came out, except now I have diarrhea. But I'm not complaining. But I will say I've had smoother experiences with pessaries and stool softeners, and I don't have to suffer for 12 hours beforehand. Also, the smell they produce is like off urine! I'll give this one a pass next time, but at least it FINALLY did the job."

• Mis...
• February 2, 2016

For Constipation "I have been battling constipation for a week now and had finally given in and bought Dulcolax laxative tablets (worst mistake ever). I took one tablet at 9 pm, woke up in a cold sweat at 2 am, and experienced stomach cramps (with the urge to go but couldn't) and horrendous vomiting. Finally settled back into bed around 3:30 am. I am now up again at 8 am, back in the bathroom with the worst case of diarrhea and stomach cramps. Product is somewhat effective but plan to take it on a Friday night with no other weekend plans!"

• Bam...
• November 19, 2015

For Constipation "One pill is plenty for me, and I'm a big guy. Don't expect a miracle in five minutes. I take it late in the evening before bedtime, and before noon the next day, it's working. I drink plenty of liquids (not milk) when taking it. If I take more than one pill, it gives me cramps and diarrhea. I find that eating foods with plenty of fiber (25-30g/day) and drinking plenty of fluids (fewer dairy products) eliminates most of my constipation problems. When I get off that diet, I tend to have the problem again. I also take some Metamucil daily, 'after' a good BM, mixed with juice or water, which gives me lots of additional fiber. This works for me, hope this helps! For serious problems, I would recommend seeing a doctor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2018

For Constipation "The reviews are scary, honestly, but you just need to drink a lot of water with this medication. I took 2 pills last night around 8:30 pm. I drank 16 oz of water with the pills (recommended 8 oz per dose). Had a bowel motion around 9:30/10, which was surprising because I’d been irregular for a few days now. I woke up to a little stomach pain around 5:30 am and was on the toilet for about 30 minutes with bad pain and diarrhea (to be expected, but not horrible). And only woke up an hour later with some more, and then I’d been fine the rest of the day. I am now constipated again, though, and will not be taking another dose tonight just in case of something else wrong with my stomach."

• Sor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2017

For Constipation "Extreme cramping and vomiting! Took 2 pills at 5:15 pm. Woke up at 3 am to the worst cramps of my life. Still haven’t been able to get off the toilet, and it’s now 4 am. Still cramping and vomiting, but now with added diarrhea. Will never take these again!"

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I purchased this as part of a colonoscopy prep. I had issues with diarrhea prior to this and then was constipated for 4 days, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I read the negative reviews and my thought was, 'Why are they complaining? Follow the instructions, drink a quart of water, and wait 12 hours for results?' I have gastroparesis, so my wait was more like 18 hours than 12, but it wasn't explosive, no cramps, and did the job. To add to my potty story, while I was waiting to complete the initial prep, my GI doc called and canceled the procedure. Well, at least I'm cleaned out!"

• Mer...
• April 6, 2017

For Constipation "I would not recommend this laxative. However, it is very effective at relieving constipation, the side effects are not worth it. I took 3 pills per the recommendations on the box and was severely constipated. Within 7 hours, I could feel it working, my intestines were bubbling and cramping, then I was able to have a bowel movement. Most laxatives soften your stool, this one liquifies it! It's horrible! But I have to say the worst part is that it makes you feel so nauseous! So, not only was I having explosive diarrhea, I was also having to vomit. This lasted for about 7 hours! If you take this, be prepared to be sick all day long! Choose another one, like magnesium citrate, that's much gentler, yet effective! Throwing away immediately!"

• Kac...
• May 15, 2022

For Constipation "I took this product after constipation while traveling. I had an appendectomy 3 weeks ago and have been having problems going to the bathroom since. The packaging says to take between 1-3 tablets. I took 2 at around midnight before bed. I woke up at 3 with severe cramping and have been running to the bathroom every 15 minutes since. I’m nauseous, dizzy, and sweating. I feel like I’m going to throw up in between bouts of severe diarrhea. I do not recommend."

• hon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2022

For Constipation "I suffer from chronic constipation. Lately, it's been really bad where I have to go to the ER (not fun). I've taken these on three different occasions. Due to my stomach issues, I only took one each time. The first time, I took it at 2 pm and I was woken up at 3:30 am (over 12 hours later) with a gurgling gut and very minor cramping. Spent 30 minutes on the toilet, everything came flying out. Perfect! Back to bed I went. The second time I took it was at 9 pm. I woke up at 1 am (4 hours later). This time, the cramping was worse! Woke me up and it was still difficult to pass stool, I was in the bathroom every hour. Drank more water, then around 6 am, the diarrhea (TMI, sorry) came and I knew it was finally over. The third time I took it at 7:30 pm. By 9:30 pm (2 hours later), I had minor cramps and everything flew out of me. I find it works sooner and sooner the more you take it (well in my case). Does work well, but prepare for some level of cramping."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2023

For Constipation "I am prescribed Laxido to take daily, which is next to useless, but I take it. I’ve also been prescribed senna tablets, which are unpredictable as to if they’ll work. I bought a pack of Dulcolax and have begun with those. Yes, the abdominal swelling is pretty severe but temporary. The cramps for me are worth the effects. The eventual liquid diarrhea gets more liquid as the cramps become more constant before ending once everything’s gone. I find them really helpful, and the unpleasant side effects are too since they signal to me what’s going on and what will be the next stage."