Dulcolax and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2012

For Constipation "I was constipated for 11 days. I tried everything, I was even in the hospital. Somehow, this did the trick, but it left me with the most gut-wrenching cramps I have ever experienced. And it made me have diarrhea."

• Anonymous
• June 21, 2015

For Constipation "I have taken the laxative in the past, usually in the evening. I would wake up and have bad abdominal pain and several bouts of diarrhea until the next morning. This was with only taking one pill. I reluctantly took one last night but felt bound up and uncomfortable. I woke up at 1 a.m. with terrible stomach pain and hot flashes. I had to take off my clothes and lay on the coolest floor I could find. It was horrible. Then I vomited about five times and felt some relief. Shortly after, I had a normal bowel movement then went back to bed with the chills. I slept well after that and woke up feeling fine. I threw the box of Dulcolax in the garbage... never again! Not worth going through that agony."

• aas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2014

For Constipation "I had been constipated for a couple of days and had a package of Dulcolax in my medicine cabinet. I took one at about 3 pm and instantly started feeling nauseous. For the next couple of hours, I had horrible cramps that felt like someone was stabbing me. After about 6 hours, I finally went, but it was diarrhea. All night that night, I was up having diarrhea. For the next couple of days, I felt horrible and couldn't eat any food without feeling sick. Long story short, Dulcolax works to relieve constipation, but the pain is excruciating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2022

For Constipation "It was the worst experience of my life. The cramps were so insanely bad that I ended up in the ER. Nausea, chills, lightheaded… would never in a million years take this medication again. The pain was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced! I took 2 pills at noon, and by 3 p.m. I thought I was dying. Horrible, horrible cramps but nothing at all coming out. Finally, 12 hours later, the liquid diarrhea has begun. Do not take this medicine."

• Cla...
• April 2, 2016

For Constipation "Never again! Please, no one take Dulcolax. I, like a few others in this forum, have been on an eating plan for weight loss. Without much fiber, I've been suffering from constipation. I finally had enough and took 2 Dulcolax last night at around 11:30 pm, as recommended on the box. At 4:15 am, I woke up with excruciating stomach cramps as well as indigestion. I went to the bathroom and had a small BM come out. I went back and forth probably 5 times with diarrhea, feeling sweaty, dizzy, and thought I was going to faint. On the last time, I felt like I was going to vomit. I ran to the bathroom and violently vomited everything in my stomach. This was followed by liquid diarrhea (felt like hot water) for the next while. Please beware. Never again."

• Twi...
• November 3, 2015

For Constipation "I took one Dulcolax on Sunday and then one on Monday for constipation. I was awakened last night at 1 a.m. with horrific stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea that was like explosive water. All day yesterday, I was going to the bathroom, each time with a little bit of diarrhea. I must have been in the bathroom 25 times. But the pain and nausea I felt last night for hours almost sent me to the ER. I kept wishing I could go ahead and vomit so that I'd feel better, but I never could. But the nausea and the pain nearly drove me over the edge. I was in the fetal position for hours (when I wasn't running to the bathroom). I never, ever expected to feel this horrible. Never again. I still have sharp pains and watery diarrhea today."

• liv...
• October 1, 2015

For Constipation "(15 years old, 103 lbs) I took this at 3 pm yesterday morning. I was stupid and took three pills. At about 3:30, I was having horrific abdominal pain and cramping and bad nausea. (I never actually threw up, but I felt like I was going to several times.) At around 2 am, I had to go. After that, I went back to bed, but for the rest of the night, I had to get up at least every fifteen minutes with explosive diarrhea. I woke up the next morning in extreme pain with worse nausea than the night before. I tried going to school and had to be picked up early because I couldn't even control my bowel movements. It's now 10:16 a day after taking this laxative, and my stomach is cramping and growling, and I still feel nauseous. I do not recommend. If you take it, take only 1!"

• sam...
• August 11, 2014

For Constipation "I have always had constipation, and I was told to take Dulcolax if nothing else seemed to work. Normally, I only take one pill, but this time I took 2 because I hadn't gone in a week and needed the relief ASAP. BIG MISTAKE! I always get indigestion-type feelings, so those started up within about an hour. In a few hours, I passed a couple of soft bowel movements. I was praying that I could just go to sleep because my stomach was so uneasy. I thought I could wake up feeling better. It made me feel bad all over: nausea, cold sweats. Then I woke up at about 4:30 a.m. with the urgency to go. During my bowel movements, I was having severe stomach cramps with diarrhea. In the future, I will only be taking one pill!"

• NAa...
• April 25, 2016

For Constipation "The experience was awful, but the reviews here seem to be inaccurate. First, you feel as if gas is stuck inside of you. Second, comes a wave of nausea. Third, you're on the toilet for almost an hour and a half and in extreme pain. The pain isn't ER worthy at all. Advil helped me. Once you go #2 and everything flushes your system, you're left with diarrhea and the cramps right before going to the restroom. The pain for me was on my sides and abdomen. Also, the pain was on my back and my hips. I took three. DO NOT TAKE 2-3 PILLS. TAKE ONLY ONE. One has the desired effects without the majority of the pain. I hope this helped."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2016

For Constipation "Dulcolax Pink-SAVE YOURSELVES & don't take it! 10 hours after taking it, I began to get some stomach cramps & gas. 12 hours in, I finally had a bowel movement. Just a few minutes later, I had another, but this was diarrhea. After that, it was like spewing liquid hot lava out of my bottom every hour or so for 10 hours. I lost count, but this stuff wreaked havoc on my poor bottom at least 12 times. The stomach cramping was the most intense I've ever experienced. Each time I sat on the toilet, I thought I was going to throw up & felt faint & was drenched in sweat. I legitimately thought I might have to go to the ER, but no way I could drive-I considered calling 911 for an ambulance, but waited it out instead. Worst experience ever."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2019

For Constipation "Backed up maybe 3 days, felt bad. Took 1 senna the night before, nothing happened, so the next night took 2 Dulcolax at 10 pm. Woke at 2:30 am with mild cramping, which progressively worsened. I was in the fetal position by 4 am, regretting everything and silently crying out. I slept on and off until 6 am, then the first bowel motion began. It's at this time you do not trust what you believe to be a fart, thankfully, I took no chances. Between 6-10 am, it was very painful cramping and diarrhea explosive in nature. Bowel movements stopped around lunchtime. Still cramping 24 hours later, but nothing happening. Honestly, I don't recommend these unless you are backed up for weeks. I expected mild cramps and softer stool, NOT gut-wrenching pain and molten lava. It's not gentle! Certainly effective but not gentle at all, and that labeling needs to change to reflect that. I repeat... NOT GENTLE... do not take this if you have plans early the following day. I feel like I've been kicked in the lower abdomen."

• Tut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I had taken the medication at 10 last night. About 8 this morning, I had severe cramps, nausea, and sweaty. And again at 10, I had a liquid bowel movement, and now at 11, sitting on the toilet, I wanted something for relief, and this isn't a nice relief, more like a killer one, to say the least. Would I recommend it? Ummm, sure, if you like excruciating cramps, constant nausea, and very loose stool."

• All...
• March 1, 2016

For Constipation "Oh my! Never again. I took two at 8:00 p.m., and at 4:00 a.m. I woke up to the worst stomach cramping. I had diarrhea from early morning and throughout the day into the next. The stomach cramps would come and go, and with intensity. Here it is Tuesday, and I'm still getting waves of nausea and cramps. The worst part is the back spasms. It feels like I'm being stabbed in the middle of my back every other hour. Then my stomach burbles, aches, and my bowels cramp, and then it stops. I would rather be constipated. I have drunk bottles and bottles of water to get this garbage laxative out of my system. If you are constipated, do not take this product. You will suffer in ER-worthy pain."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2016

For Constipation "Wow. I took two pills around 6:00 PM before dinner. Around midnight, I woke up with a burning feeling in my intestines. I figured the medicine was working and sat on the toilet. I haven't pooped this much in a long time. After relieving myself of days' worth of poop, I immediately felt sick to my stomach. I returned to the bathroom, where I began to throw up and have diarrhea. I went back to bed and woke up around 6:00 AM with more diarrhea. I'm really starting to consider using other medication that doesn't make me so sick."

• Car...
• December 29, 2016

For Constipation "This product does what it says with terrible pain! First off... I would never recommend this product to someone who experiences IBS like myself. Seems that the posts praising Dulcolax are from people who have only had LIGHT constipation discomfort. I now understand the 'near death experience' that Dulcolax is. If you ever experienced true food poisoning that leaves you expelling from both ends simultaneously, this is exactly like that! Cold sweats, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting accompanied by the worst cramps of life. I mean I can actually say I thought I'd need an ER visit, and if you've tried this and lived to tell the tale, YOU KNOW! I would absolutely recommend taking this on the first day of your weekend with zero plans!"

• All...
• August 2, 2014

For Constipation "I had been constipated for about five days and took two pills before bed. I advise against that many. The cramps from the laxatives pulling the water from your stomach to your intestines are bad. It's not excruciating, but it's not fun either, and I did get a little nauseated. I woke up in the morning with diarrhea. I only had to go twice that whole day, and they were in close time ranges with each other. I recommend just taking one to see how it affects you and then go from there. Either way, you'll get relief."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2019

For Constipation "Had been constipated for a few days, so went to the chemist, and they recommended Dulcolax. I read the box, and I took 2 around 3 PM, and there wasn't any movement, so I read the box again, and it said take before bed, so I took another 2. I woke up at about 5:30 AM or 6 AM with really painful spasms in my stomach and had to rush down to the toilet. I sat on the toilet for about 45 minutes straight with diarrhea just running out of me. Then, all of a sudden, I felt very sick, like I was about to vomit, but my back end was still going. Prayed to God to help my spasms and feeling sick to stop and please leave, and I sat on the toilet all day till about 5 or 6 PM with diarrhea."

• drt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2017

For Constipation "First-time user. Bought Dulcolax and then came on to read reviews and was terrified. I was basically unable to sleep because of other users' accounts of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and had resigned myself to the worst night of my life. I am happy to say that I had a positive experience with this medicine. Took 2 tablets around 6:45 p.m. with a 16 oz. bottle of water and drank 2 more 16 oz. bottles subsequently. Around 10 p.m. started to get gurgles in my stomach, but no pain or nausea. Around 3 a.m. I did experience some cramps, but they were manageable and not too intense. Lasted around 15 minutes and then I felt the urge to go. Passed stool easily within the next 15 minutes."

• Geo...
• March 24, 2019

For Constipation "Was feeling backed up, so decided to get something for relief. The girl at the counter suggested Dulcolax, so went home feeling happy at the thought of a bowel movement coming soon. But if I knew the night of utter awfulness that was ahead of me, I would have had the girl arrested for premeditated grievous bodily harm because I’m sure I nearly died twice. Took 2 pills at 8 pm and went to bed at 11:30 pm. Woke up at 6 am writhing in agony with cramps, barely made it to the bathroom, and proceeded to projectile vomit. Lying on the floor, shaking, sweating hot and cold, and feeling like I was about to pass out from the pain. Cramps continued for about 30 mins until I felt like I needed to go, dragged myself up onto the toilet where I remained for the best part of 45 minutes, non-stop going with the most extreme pain I’ve ever felt. Started out solid, and about 20 mins later, I had explosive diarrhea. Lying in bed at 9 am, crying, still with the cramps. Do not take this medication unless you fancy a near-death experience."

• Ms ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2019

For Constipation "This medicine is horrible. I took 3 for constipation at about 5 pm. 3 hours later, I started to feel stomach cramps but no bowel motion (BM). At 10 pm, the constant trips to the commode started. 1 hour after that, debilitating stomach cramps increased, nausea with the constant urge to vomit, and sweats started. I was lying on the bathroom floor in a fetal position praying to Jesus to make it stop. I eventually got the explosive diarrhea that didn’t stop for hours. It relieved my cramping some but not completely. I’m never buying this poison ever again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2017

For Constipation "I was recommended Dulcolax after I hadn't been able to have a BM after surgery on my back passage. I took 2 tablets at 2:30 pm as I was desperate, and at 9:00 pm I had an easy to pass (being first BM after surgery) BM, followed by 3 more trips before midnight to the bathroom, ending in diarrhea. I didn't experience any of the cramps, shakes, or vomiting as reported by so many others. I'm still experiencing diarrhea now 2 days later, and although it's painful still, this is only due to the surgery I underwent 6 days ago. Please remember every single person who takes Dulcolax will have a different experience from the next as our bodies will all respond differently to this medication. I would definitely take Dulcolax again. Hope this helps."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "My prep instructions for my colonoscopy and esophagus scope said to take 4 Dulcolax pills at 9:00 am, the day before the procedure. One hour later I start being nauseous, sweating, hot, cold, stomach cramps, runs, and a sore butt. The nightmare begins! I start BLASTING! Bright sunny yellow runs out of my butt non-stop. SUPER bad stomach cramps! This is before even drinking the 64 oz of the Gatorade and Miralax. At 6:00 pm I start drinking the Gatorade and Miralax mixture. It took 30 minutes for the volcano to really BLOW TONS! I couldn't get off the toilet for over 45 minutes the first three times! Every time I thought I was done, it started up AGAIN! I’ve been up all night, with BAD cramps, exploding and a raw butt! It's been 6 hours since I drank the mixture. It's NOT letting up! I'm going every 20 minutes. My BEST FRIEND is butt cream! I'm afraid to go to bed, that I might not make it in time to the bathroom. This is worse than food poisoning or the worst flu! I HOPE it stops soon! Never again!!!!"

• LA2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2015

For Constipation "A friend told me to take 3 pink pills of Dulcolax, so I did. At 7 pm, I woke up at 5 am with my stomach hurting bad, in tears. I was throwing up a lot too. I didn't go until 8 am, then went all day with diarrhea. Now it had been 7 days until last night. I took 1 of the pills, it did nothing. I ended up having to do an enema. I did one and it did nothing, I had to do 2 and then finally went 20 minutes later. I guess I'll have to use 2 pink pills next time. Oh, and I did not drink water, so next time I will make sure of it! Thanks, hope this helps."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2024

For Constipation "I thought I'd share my experience with Dulcolax. My constipation lasted over a week. I had tried every natural remedy in the book and nothing worked. I felt like my whole insides were blocked but I couldn't release. The cramps and nausea just got unbearable until I was told about Dulcolax. I took 2 tablets at 9 pm, an hour before I went to bed. I drank a full pint glass of water in that hour before going to bed. I was asleep for a good 7 hours before I was awoken with excruciating cramping in both abdomen and lower back. I tried to go to the toilet but nothing came. I drank half a glass of water and fell back down in the foetal position in bed which did help with the cramping. By half past 6, I had to dive out of bed and hot foot it to the bathroom. It felt like my whole intestines had fallen out of me. But after sitting on the toilet for about 20 minutes, I felt so much better. I had a few extra bouts of diarrhea throughout the day, but all I can say is Dulcolax is."

• Kai...
• August 24, 2015

For Constipation "I took this medicine for constipation relief. It said it would take 6-12 hours to work, but 2 hours after I took it, I was in the worst pain of my life, curled in a ball on my bed praying for it to end. After about 30 minutes of intense cramps, I started to get diarrhea. For the next 1-2 hours, it was a vicious cycle of laying in my bed with severe, debilitating cramps, then rushing to the toilet every 15 minutes. Ultimately, it did what it was supposed to do, but I will never take it again, the pain is not worth the result. I'm just fine drinking a couple of glasses of prune juice for comfortable results."