Dulcolax and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Jji...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 19, 2015

For Constipation "This pill is just simplest amazing. I have severe to moderate constipation. Three pills always do the trick for me. Although you may experience pain cramps. But other than that, this pill is a lifesaver."

• Fem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2015

For Constipation "I am 5 feet and 135 pounds. I took one tablet and had multiple normal BMs over a 24-hour period with no cramping, nausea, or sweats. Tips: 1) Take with a lot of water and some food; 2) Take one at the beginning; 3) Don't immediately sleep; 4) Wait 24 hours before taking more."

• Sam...
• August 11, 2014

"A friend recommended, so I thought I would give it a try. She never mentioned severe pain. Just that your stomach hurts a bit because that means it's working. I took 3 pills around 9:30 pm, and at 11:30 pm, the severe cramping began. I also became extremely nauseous. I was doubled over in pain, it was so painful I had no idea what to do with myself. On a scale from 1 to 10, the cramping was a 12! It did do its job, but the severe pain is not worth it at all."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2024

For Constipation "Took 2 Dulcolax at 1 pm, started getting mild cramps around 8 pm. Fast forward to 9 pm, and I was having the most severe stomach cramps in my entire life. I was sitting on the toilet, feeling lightheaded, shaking, and nauseous because of the pain. I have a high pain tolerance, but those cramps had me praying to God. After around 30 minutes, I was having explosive diarrhea, literally like a jet stream. After the first bowel movement, the pain eased off and I only had to go again once an hour later. Dulcolax really does work, but be prepared for the worst stomach cramps of your entire life!"

• Pol...
• January 16, 2017

For Constipation "I hadn't had a proper BM for about 2 weeks. I picked up Dulcolax Sensitive and took 2 pills at 10 pm. At 2:38 am, the cramps started. It started with the worst cramps I've ever experienced, together with intense nausea and vomiting, cold sweats (to the point my fingers and lips were blue), and terrible shakes. By around 4 am, I had my first BM, which was significant, and I then spent until 1:30 pm continuously on the toilet, simultaneously vomiting and having diarrhea. It's now 4:30 pm, I can't even take a sip of water without vomiting, I'm still having painful cramps, and I feel extremely weak. I would never recommend this medication to anyone, no matter how 'effective' it is."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

For Constipation "I took one Dulcolax 36 hours ago, and one more yesterday morning, which didn't work well, but I’ve just had three violent BMs, still have cramps, it’s like being in labor, plus feeling hot/cold, shivery, and weak. This drug is awful, the formula must’ve been changed. I feel as if I have stomach flu, it’s lucky I’m not going out today. Do not trust this drug! VC"

• Bel...
• November 13, 2019

For Constipation "I’ve been taking Dulcolax for a while and never really had any major issues, I’d have small cramps before I had to use the bathroom, but that was it. Last night, I took 3 pills (my normal dosage), and I woke at 2 a.m. with severe cramps and a headache. I got very hot and cold, and my whole body was shaking, I couldn’t walk and was about to faint. I wasn’t able to use the bathroom yet. My face and lips then drained of color, and I stopped being able to see, so I lay down on the floor as I couldn’t sit up on the toilet. I passed out from being in too much pain. Eventually, I was able to get back up, but the pain meant I was still having chills and was unable to walk. About 2 hours later, I was able to go to the bathroom and felt a bit better, but those 2 hours of awfulness were not worth it. I was still in pain the next day with a severe headache. I don’t know what or how it happened, as this is my usual dosage, and nothing like this has ever happened, but never again will I be taking Dulcolax."

• Chi...
• August 12, 2017

For Constipation "I really don't recommend this seemingly 'gentle' pill. I've always had bowel problems (not IBS), just not the greatest stomach. I was constipated due to my period when I found this in the drug store. It said it was gentle, so I thought I would give it a go. Took one pill around 1:00 a.m. after getting back from a cookout. Woke up at 5:00 with excruciating cramps, worse than menstrual cramps, that would not go away. Ran to the toilet and had the worst diarrhea of my life. This makes you go, but if you would like to venture to hell and back, be my guest. Never using this again."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2012

For Constipation "This worked really well for me. I didn't have any of the side effects, except some extremely mild cramping for a minute or two before it was time to 'go.' The only negative for me was that it took over 24 hours to work."

• Val...
• January 14, 2015

For Constipation "I haven't had a bowel movement for 2 weeks, so yesterday I took two in the morning and went to the bathroom around 3 pm, but it didn't fully help, so I also took one in the evening. Around 2 am, I had the most painful cramps I've experienced in my life, but then again, it did clean me out, and I didn't drink water, so that was a big mistake. My advice is to take 1 if it has only been less than a week and 3 for over two weeks. The cramps are pretty bearable if the bathroom is right next to you, so good luck."

• Mag...
• June 10, 2019

For Constipation "Please be very careful when taking this medication, Dulcolax. I took one pill at 8 pm, and at 1 am woke up out of a dead sleep thinking I had to go. The cramping was so intense that I had to bite down on a towel to keep from screaming. The pain was equal to full labor pains/contractions. I broke out in a cold sweat to the point I could feel it running down my neck and back. You literally feel as though the room is closing in and you are going to faint. I ended up laying on the bathroom floor for two hours. I would doze off for a few minutes and wake up again to the spasms/pain. The next morning I had a small BM. Certainly not worth what I went through the night before. I am due for a colonoscopy this year and I know that taking Dulcolax is part of the prep from the doctor. And if I am not mistaken, you are directed to take two or three pills as part of that prep. There is absolutely no way that I will take this medication again. This medication should not be sold over the counter."

• Dgf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I took this medication for colonoscopy prep, it's currently Monday evening, and my colonoscopy is on Wednesday morning. I took 2 pills as prescribed by my doctor at 1 pm with copious amounts of fluids. At 2 pm, I had a small BM, at 3 pm, I had severe cramps and what can only be described as explosive diarrhea, at 4 pm, there was nothing but liquid. It's now 6 pm, and all that is left is stomach acid and unbelievable cramps. I haven't even started on the drink yet. Worst part, I have to do this again tomorrow. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE."

• CTS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I had started to read all these reviews just minutes after popping two 5 mg of Dulcolax. Needless to say, I started to freak out and attempted to force myself to throw up without avail. Took two pills at 9 pm, had a very uneasy night because of gas. By 4:30 am, I was up with mild cramps and the urge to go, managed to have a bowel movement with a few minutes on the toilet, woke up again at 5:45 am for another bowel movement, which was slightly watery. Managed to rest until 6:30 am and still have the urge to go. I must say I had minimal discomfort in comparison to all the horrid reviews on here, I was expecting hell. Maybe something to take note of is the amount of water to drink with this tablet, make sure you have at least 2 glasses of water."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Constipation "I wish I'd read just one of these reviews before I took the Dulcolax. After several days of constipation, I bought this 'gentle' drug. It said 1-3 pills, and I took 2 at about 3:30 pm. I woke up at 1:30 am with burning chest pain in my sternum, extreme nausea, and very painful cramping. The pain compared to gallstones, and at one point, I thought I might be having a heart attack. At about 2:30 am, I had my first loose bowel movement. From 3 until 4 am, I had violent diarrhea about every 10 minutes. I fell back asleep at around 4:30 am, only to wake at 5:45 am for another visit to the toilet. Same thing at 7:30 am. It is now 12:30 pm. I haven't had another bowel movement (and I don't know how there could possibly be anything left). But I still have extreme nausea and can't sleep. I wish I could throw up, but I can't. I feel achy, tired, nauseous, and all around awful. I'm throwing away the rest of these pills."

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2024

For Constipation "Read the other reviews first at day 6 and was scared. Tried prune juice for 2 days which slightly helped but was not enough. 8 days constipated. Took 1 tablet at 12:30 pm and felt totally fine until 6:30 pm, slightly uncomfortable, knew it was working. Around 8:30 pm, cramps kicked in and first BM. Not painful at all, very easy. Off and on cramps for the next few hours, can be quite uncomfortable but knowing it was working helped. Deep breaths, etc. 11:30 pm. Second BM. Very easy. Went to bed with slight cramps and slept well. It is now 1 pm the next day, still a bit sensitive in the stomach but can go to work and do everything. Overall, I would recommend, did the job as promised and wasn’t overly painful. I would say 1 does the trick."

• Amb...
• November 12, 2016

For Constipation "I imagine death to be just like this. I had been taking medicine for an inner ear infection, which had me constipated for 5 days, and I was experiencing pain from the constipation. I didn't realize there were different kinds of laxatives, which is on me for sure! I took 2 pills at 7:30 am because that's when I got off work and didn't have work 'til 4 pm that day. They kicked in about 10:30 am, and I was on and off the toilet until I had work. Sweating, burning, and watery diarrhea, with cramps 81702037x worse than period cramps. I was okay for a little bit, and then at 9 pm, the pain came back with a vengeance. Still going... cramping, hot and cold, and pooping. I started crying, I'm in so much pain. NEVER again. I'd rather be constipated!!"

• Pay...
• August 1, 2016

For Constipation "I tend to suffer regular bouts of constipation and have found that Miralax and other powder-based laxatives have had little effect. I decided to give Dulcolax a shot while on a trip, as it was very uncomfortable to be so bloated while doing some strenuous activities. I took three tablets (I'm 6'5", 250 lbs, and usually take max dose) on Friday at 7 PM. Between HORRIBLE cramps, chills, cold sweats, weakness, and constant runs, I felt like I had taken the pill-form of food poisoning. It is now Monday at 11 AM, and I am still unable to eat anything without it going straight through me. This is not worth it, and Dulcolax should not be advising people to EVER take three of these. Awful experience."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2025

For Constipation "This medicine worked pretty well for me. I took three pills before going to bed, and yes, I woke up a few times feeling crampy. I woke up around my usual time and had to go to the bathroom. I didn't have diarrhea, and it was incredibly relieving to have so much come out. I went a few more times before going to work. No diarrhea. I got to work, and that's when the diarrhea started. I ended up having diarrhea all day at work."

• Hor...
• July 19, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "A first-time user, I took two little orange pills and experienced the worst abdominal pain ever. I once terminated a colonoscopy that was underway on me with no anesthesia (long story), and this pain equaled that. My thanks to you, fellow website contributors, who gave me confidence to avoid the emergency room after searching on 'Dulcolax cramps.' The extreme pain lasted at least an hour; it subsided gradually over the next 5 hours. Have someone aware of what you're going through, and be safe about possibly passing out. I did not pass out. (Age 67/male.)"

• Bg0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2021

For Constipation "I took 2 of these little red rockets and then settled back to read the comments! Oh brother, I almost induced vomiting because of all the horror stories. Thankfully, I had 10 minutes of light to medium gut squeezing sessions, and then I had 3-4 very large, very healthy, very smelly b.m.’s. I think I’m gonna take one tonight and hopefully I won’t have problems. I do remember about two years ago I took two and never experienced any of the life-threatening cramps all these unlucky folks have had. I truly sympathize with them all because I have kidney stones and I can definitely relate to laying on the bathroom floor wrenching with pain and wrestling demons that are inside of you ripping your insides apart. Try taking just one, and if that doesn’t work, then a couple of days later try two. I’m not brave enough to try an enema, even though it seems like that would be the most productive method without writhing pain. Good luck, and don’t take more than two!"

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2021

For Constipation "I don't know if people taking this just aren’t hydrated or what. I took three without having read any reviews and woke up the next day with light nausea and occasional, mild cramps, not unlike regular period cramps. As for BMs, slightly comical in intensity. I woke up early to start heading to the toilet, and my biggest complaint is that I’m sleepy and have had to get out of bed several times to attend the water closet. Honestly, this was a breeze compared to drinking one cup of Smooth Move tea."

• dy0...
• March 29, 2015

For Constipation "Had been struggling for about a week to go regularly, so I decided to try something new. I took 3 pills at 10 pm with a 16 oz bottle of water and woke up at 3 am with horrible cramping that lasted about 3 hrs, but overall, it got the job done. I would definitely recommend this, just not the dosage. I would start with one... good luck."

• kim...
• July 24, 2014

For Constipation "To the person who said they were going to take half... Don't! The coating on these pills means they don't dissolve until they are where they are meant to get to! I learned this the hard way! The pain was worse than childbirth! And I am a regular taker of Dulcolax! I know what the normal painful cramps are like. This didn't even compare!"

• Emi...
• October 12, 2013

For Constipation "It is an effective product; I take about 2 pills every 2-3 days, and they work predictably, usually about 10-12 hours after taking them. Many people have complained about cramping, but the cramps are actually generally quite mild, as long as you drink at least a glass of water right after taking the pills."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2017

For Constipation "I absolutely hate this medication. I had cold sweats, extreme cramping, horrible nausea, vomiting, and nearly blacked out. ALL FROM ONE PILL. I'm a 23-year-old woman. An over-the-counter constipation medication shouldn't do this. I would never recommend this medication to anyone. I honestly don't believe it should be on the market, or at least offered over the counter and readily available to the unsuspecting consumer."