Dulcolax and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

For Constipation "Recently, I had the worst constipation of my life. I was advised by a doctor to take 4 Dulcolax tablets at once. I decided to take it before sleep. I took 3 powerful sleeping pills and four Dulcolax at 11:00 pm so that my sleep was not disturbed by bowel pain. I woke up at 12:00 pm the next day and found that my abdominal pain decreased a lot, but I became so weak that I couldn't even move a hair. After 5 minutes, loud sounds came from my belly along with mild cramps. The sound continued for 1 minute, and then suddenly a large volume of poop exploded out, and it continued for 2 minutes. My clothes were completely spoiled along with the bedsheet. Brown liquids went down the floor. I could do nothing as I couldn't move. The same thing happened every 5 minutes for the next 30 minutes. When it stopped, I started to get the strength to move. I got up from bed with a complete mess. I had diarrhea for the next 24 hours. Dulcolax helped me a lot. But it is better to take it only in case of an emergency."

• Jen...
• August 31, 2019

For Constipation "I've never taken laxatives but went on a 5-day water fast to cleanse myself, and I was so bloated by day 5 and no poops. I went and got these and took 1. Not 2-3 at a time like other people said. I took it around 7:30 pm and woke up around 7 am with mild cramps, felt like normal poop cramps, nothing major, and took my first bowel motion. I immediately felt better. About an hour later, the cramps were back and took another, this time much more came out. Feeling better already, Dulcolax works and had no bad symptoms like others have stated. Also, I recommend drinking a lot of water during the day you take these as they take water from other parts of your body, so stay hydrated!"

• Ell...
• June 9, 2014

For Constipation "After reading a large number of shocking reviews from people taking Dulcolax, I went to sleep extremely nervous after taking 1 pill at 11 pm. I drank a 500 ml bottle of water immediately after taking the tablet. I did not wake once in the night and finally woke at around half past 7 am, where I experienced some mild cramping. This was expected after reading reviews, however, in my head, I was preparing for the worst to come, but it never did. Fifteen minutes of cramping passed, I made my way to the bathroom, where a normal bowel motion occurred, and now I feel much better with no lasting side effects. Overall, a good product, however, I strongly recommend drinking water after taking Dulcolax."

• kpt...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2015

For Constipation "I take Dulcolax when I feel like my bowel system is playing up. Or to avoid serious constipation. I usually take it with a glass of water. But it doesn't help with the cramps, ever. It wakes me up at 6 am if 1 pill is taken between 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cramps are too bad, but the relief is great. Works almost every time for me."

• Tha...
• September 5, 2020

For Constipation "After taking Dulcolax, I thought I would need an ambulance. I have never sweated or felt pain cramps like it. Severe water pouring out my rear end. Shaking uncontrollably. Woke up on the bathroom floor when it was all over. A few more water bowel movements the next day."

• Lau...
• February 2, 2020

For Constipation "I took 3 Dulcolax pills at 11:00 am, and by 1:00 pm, I was in such excruciating pain that I truly thought I was going to pass out. Abdominal cramping and stabbing that reached from my lower back up to my esophagus. The pain stayed at that level for one solid hour. Then some relief, then another wave of level-11 pain hit, which this time caused me to throw up. It certainly worked as far as clearing me out, but the pain was...the worst. I kept expecting to see blood because surely this couldn't be normal; something had to have gone wrong. But, no blood - I believe this is just how the product works. Granted, it was my first time using it, and I had only been constipated for 2 days, so I probably should have started with a lesser dose. But the package says adults and children 12 years and over should take 1-3 pills. I figured if 3 pills were fine for a 12-year-old, I'd certainly be fine as a 35-year-old woman. I was wrong."

• DIs...
• January 31, 2014

For Constipation "It's currently 6 a.m., and I am sitting on the toilet with the worst intestinal cramps I have ever had in my life due to these tablets. I have been unable to pass normally for about 3 weeks now, due to a hemorrhoid, and I was prescribed these by my doctor. I take 2 before bed in an effort to get me going. And get me going it does - but it also wakes me up 3 hours beforehand with horrendous pains in my stomach and gives me such bad diarrhea that I'm scared to get off the toilet."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2020

For Constipation "I took ONE! ONE damn tiny Dulcolax pill, and I felt like I was doomed! It was worse than labor by far! I was drenched with sweat, excruciating cramps, and pressure and pains so bad I couldn’t move. It definitely worked, but in the most torturous way, and I will NEVER EVER take it again! I couldn’t do anything all day besides sit on the toilet or curled up in a ball on my bed..... DON'T TAKE IT! It says “gentle” relief, and that’s rubbish!"

• Pau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 4, 2017

For Constipation "For all you 'horrible cramps, worst pain ever, bad drug' people. You had a blocked bowel. The directions warn against using it with that, yet the only way I've ever known I had a blocked bowel was when I was writhing in agony. So unless you have your own X-ray at home, I'm not sure how one would know. Anyway, it's not the laxative to blame, it's your condition. Remember why you took it? People always confuse causality. 'I took X, then this happened. X is bad and at fault.' It's more likely you would have gone through the same experience at a later time, and the laxative just brought it on sooner. I'm pretty sure stimulant laxatives increase the pain and severity of cramps, which is why it's warned for. Yet a blocked bowel is hell. Been there."

• the...
• April 13, 2015

"Do NOT take unless with at least TWO liters of water with and after taking, or you'll be in agony with cramps and nausea. I take two around 9 pm and drink as much water as I can afterwards until I go to bed. They usually kick in around 2 am, where I will wake up and know I need to go. No messing on the toilet, once there, I'm done within 10-15 minutes of nonstop 'runs.' No pain or cramps, which is because of the water I've had with them. Made the mistake of taking two with just a little bit of water once and was in the worst pain I've ever felt before. Pain was worse than labor and even made me cry for it to stop (no joke). That's why it's imperative that a LOT of water is drunk with and after taking these laxatives."

• Cas...
• December 4, 2020

For Constipation "My doctor told me to take 2 Dulcolax in the evening because she believed that my urgency to pass urine was due to constipation pressing on my bladder. I took 1 pill at 8 pm. It is supposed to work in 6 to 12 hours, but in my case, it worked in 4 hours. Shortly after falling asleep, I woke up with horrific sweating, cramping, and abdominal pain. I felt shaky and sick, but most of all in agony. The agony lasted for 2 and a half hours without pause until at 2:30 am in the morning, I passed a normal bowel movement. I then endured 30 minutes more of excruciating stomach spasms resulting in explosive and watery diarrhea. The pain eased away after another hour, leaving me feeling nauseated for another 2 hours. I felt ill, exhausted, and unable to sleep. I will never be taking them again."

• MTa...
• December 28, 2019

For Constipation "I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t remember the last time I had pooped, so I went to the pharmacist and the lady suggested this. So, following the instructions, I took 2 tablets about 8:30pm. I was experiencing a lot of cramping and gas, but it wasn’t too bad. Then at 2am, I woke up in severe pain and ended up sitting on the toilet for a while, and I felt like it was never going to stop. Then I went back to bed with a hot water bottle to help the cramps and woke up again at 4am and had another BM, and then again at 4:30am. I then slept through till morning but woke feeling sore and with a massive headache. Then I experienced severe cramping in the middle of my stomach, nausea, and loose BM for the rest of the day. I would not suggest using it unless you are desperate. It’s 9:30pm the next day and I’m still cramping and feeling sick. Sorry, but although it is effective for clearing you out completely, it’s a no from me because of the side effects."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2017

For Constipation "Never take this stuff!! For the love of God, don't. Worst cramps I've ever had! I seriously thought I was dying. I only took one. I can't imagine ever taking 2, let alone 3. I am serious, this pill will put you in the worst pain possible!"

• Tar...
• August 15, 2020

For Constipation "OMG. I took 2 Dulcolax pills around 11 a.m., and around 4 p.m., I had severe cramps in my entire stomach. It felt like a knife stabbing for almost 15 to 20 minutes in critical pain. Could not even hold myself, rushing to the bathroom. I felt all of my fluid was out of my body. Horrible experience. Called the pharmacist, she suggested to drink Gatorade in case to stop dehydration. Never ever again. I am so exhausted."

• Dia...
• September 4, 2014

For Constipation "I took Dulcolax about 9 pm, and normally it doesn't affect me whatsoever. It woke me at 6 am with severe cramps, worse than childbirth, to be honest. I feel a cold sweat coming on, I was dizzy. I couldn't sit in one place, I was in that much pain. I would not recommend this, I'd go for the easy option of pure orange or something along those lines."

• CJa...
• February 29, 2020

For Constipation "I haven’t had a bowel movement maybe 4 days, which is usual for me. I go at least once a day. I took this product at night. I took 3 pills and woke up the next morning in so much pain. I read the side effects before taking this, but this is very excruciating. I feel sick with cramps and nausea. Hey, it did work... it’s not worth it."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I took one and then several hours later took another. When I woke up, I felt really sick in my stomach, cramps were excruciating. I ran to the bathroom and got incredibly dizzy and felt horribly sick to the point where I was vomiting. I broke out into a horrible sweat and was lying on the floor. I literally felt like I was having an allergic reaction to the pill or something else. It was a horrible experience, and two days later, my stomach still hurts. Great for some people, but I was too sensitive for this. I will never take it again. It says gentle relief, it felt more like the beginning stages of labor, and I've had four kids, so I can say this."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2017

For Constipation "I'm convinced that the only people that give good reviews of this stuff are the people that work at the company that makes it. I have taken so many other laxatives with no issues, but this one, not so much. The cramps were excruciating, and the sweating was insane. This product should be taken off the market."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Constipation "Man, oh man! I'm 60, and I've always had constipation. I mean, I literally have only gone to the bathroom 2-3 times a week and (hate to be so graphic) my stools were hard as rocks. Ex-Lax caused cramping so bad it was like short labor pains. I've been on 2 Dulcolax tablets every other day for about 2 weeks, and I've never had absolutely normal bowel movements in my entire life! There's absolutely no cramping. No watery BMs... like Ex-Lax. And I can't believe how much better I feel because I'm going to the potty like a normal person!"

• Dj3...
• January 31, 2017

For Constipation "This product should be taken off the market. After having surgery a week ago, the anesthesia left me with constipation. I took one pill in the AM, and around 5 pm the severe cramping and nausea began. I am still going through it as I type this from the bathroom with cold sweats and wishing I could just die. If I had known this was the result of taking this 'over-the-counter' medication, I'd have never willingly done so. Shame on me for not checking reviews ahead of time, as it looks as if more people than not have suffered the same results. Why on earth would the FDA continue to allow this drug on the market? I have no idea. I'm not even over my surgery yet, now add this to the mix? I was looking for relief. This is the exact opposite."

• Tas...
• February 23, 2017

For Constipation "Took two pills around 11:30 pm, had cramps and nausea all night. Woke up at 7:30 and decided to try to go to the bathroom. In the 10 steps it took to get to the bathroom, I already felt faint, nauseous, and had cold sweats. Passed out on the toilet, so I crawled back to bed for a few minutes before feeling the worst cramps of my life. Crawled back to the bathroom and did produce a BM, but while I was washing my hands, went completely unconscious, fell, and split my chin on my bathtub, not bad enough to get stitches, but still. I was so weak I couldn't even type my phone password in to call for help. Finally, my roommate found me, but come on... this pill should not be on the market. Unbelievable the FDA approves this for OTC."

• Ano...
• August 11, 2017

For Constipation "Let me preface this by saying that I am no stranger to pain, and I consider myself to have a high pain tolerance. I have had PCOS and endometriosis since I was 14, and so I am no stranger to cramping. This, however, was the worst pain I have felt in my life. I was on the floor crying and yelling and considered going to the emergency room several times, but I knew there was no way I could drive myself there. When I was finally able to get some relief, everything that came out of my body was in liquid form. I have never experienced something like that in my life. The pain was so bad at points that I was dry heaving in the sink and sweating uncontrollably. I have never reviewed a drug before, but I feel so strongly against it that it was necessary."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2014

For Constipation "Yup, no doubt it works. I take it at night before I sleep, so then in the morning I am forced to wake up because the cramps hurt so much. But honestly, it works, and the pain is bearable, and the result is awesome, a bunch of diarrhea later, and I feel awesome!"

• Cap...
• November 11, 2014

For Constipation "Works like a charm - a crampy, semi-painful charm, but still I'm 150 lbs, 5'7''. I would recommend starting with one pill, no dairy before or after, and lots of water to go with it. The pain - and there is pain - is bearable, and if you absolutely need to go, Dulcolax will get you there overnight. But make sure you can afford to be up during a couple of hours that night."

• Pet...
• July 13, 2013

For Constipation "Dosage for adults says 1-3 pills. I'm 27, 130 lbs, hadn't gone for almost two weeks and was starting to feel full even when I didn't eat and extremely bloated. I only took one pill because I didn't want severe cramping. Seven hours later, after a lot of rumbling and mild cramping, I had to 'go'. Intense cramping during going, my knees were shaking and I vomited three times as well. This certainly works, but I also felt like I had a severe stomach virus for about the 30-minute duration. This was from one pill. I couldn't imagine taking two or three. Everyone's bodies react differently, but I will be going the enema route next time."