Dulcolax and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Jac...
• January 30, 2017

For Constipation "I took 2 of these at around 8. I fell asleep soon after. I woke up all through the night with terrible cramps. Then at 2 a.m., I was stuck in the bathroom with diarrhea. My stomach still hurts, and I feel like I'm going to throw up. Never will I take this again. I have school in a few hours, and I hope I'm good to go. >."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2013

For Constipation "I took Dulcolax because I was severely constipated for like 2.5 days, so I took two pills. Immediately, I went to the bathroom... but non-stop. I'm still feeling the effects of those two little pills and am still having diarrhea 5 days after taking it."

• Jaz...
• April 7, 2017

For Constipation "Dulcolax did me an injustice. I took 2, and after 11 hours, I almost passed out with excruciating abdominal pain associated with loose bowels. When the loose bowel had stopped for a few minutes, I had to lie on the floor because of the discomfort in my abdomen. Shortly after, I had to rush again to the bathroom, again and again, with this horrific pain. I wish I didn't take this pill because its side effect was too severe for me. I won't recommend it to anyone."

• Bow...
• June 28, 2015

For Constipation "My advice would be to stick with just one tablet because even though the bottle says 1-3, no matter how bad you think your constipation is, you do not want to take 3. After 24 hours, I got cramps and finally got some relief but then experienced some bad diarrhea. (Note: I'm 15)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2015

For Constipation "This is a quick and effective laxative to relieve constipation, however, alternatives should be considered first. Magnesium syrup is always a good try, senna, speak to your pharmacist about the best things to take, they are always helpful. I only take 1 tablet, and it takes effect within a few hours, severe cramping, nausea, sweating, diarrhea, I have felt like I may pass out, but these effects only last about an hour for myself. Therefore, I think this should be kept for a last resort!"

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2016

For Constipation "I have IBS (constipation dominant). It's been years since I've used a stimulant laxative, as I have been able to 'keep things moving' with other meds. Had a major problem, though, yesterday and was miserable. Took the highest dose (3 tabs) of Dulcolax at 9 p.m. yesterday. At 6 a.m. today, everything was wonderful again! Had diarrhea (to be expected), some cramping, and a tad bit nauseated. I tell you, the best help I've ever received for this type of problem. Everyone's body is different, so how it will help, not help, or affect each person is different. (Obvious from the reviews here.) But for me, wonderful relief within the time frame stated on the box with minimal side effects."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I have had recurring bowel issues for years and was prescribed a colonoscopy by my gastro. I am 18 and was told to take two pills, wait another two hours, and take two more. I have had food poisoning, rotavirus, and diarrhea so bad I have collapsed before. Nothing, NOTHING compares. I am in shock this prep is allowed. Within 30 minutes of taking it, I vomited all the fluids in my system, all while simultaneously leaking out the other end. I would sip a drink and vomit it up minutes later. I have never been in such intense, violating pain before. After lying on the bathroom floor, being too weak to cry and wanting it to all end, I would drift in and out of sleep, waking up to vomit and poop liquid out my bum. This morning, the diarrhea continued, and I cannot even stand. I begged my parents to take me to the hospital after nearly passing out every time I stood; just this morning my mom had to clean my entire bed after I mistook a bowel movement for a fart. Pure utter hell."

• No ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2017

For Constipation "Took one due to pregnancy constipation, and my God, I wish I would've read these reviews beforehand. I am in such pain. Took one at 4:30 pm, and severe cramping and pain by 8 pm. Cold sweats, dizziness, diarrhea, and so much pain from the severe cramping."

• BAF...
• October 28, 2017

For Constipation "Took 2 pills last night before bed, woke to cramping then urgent bowel motion before sunrise. Have had horrible diarrhea ever since, multiple times per hour (going on 10 hours since 1st BM, 17 hours since taking the recommended dose). Will be throwing the remainder of the medication away, not worth the side effects."

• Col...
• March 9, 2016

For Constipation "I have IBS-D, so when I get constipated, it's a serious deal for me. So I go to the store and grab this off the shelf. I take 2 tabs around 2:30 p.m. I work the night shift, so I laid down for a nap. I get woken up at 7 p.m. with these strong stomach cramps. I go to the bathroom, and it's just a little gas, but I don't move. Next thing I know, it's like the next flood is happening. It's only 8:40 p.m., and I've had 3 bouts of diarrhea, and I'm nauseous. Much worse than my IBS. There was nothing sensitive about this medication. Will definitely not use this again."

• Lol...
• February 16, 2016

For Constipation "I have been using Dulcolax for a couple of years. I only use it if I haven't been to the loo for more than 5 days and if I have the next day to be at home. I take two tablets around 7 pm, and when I wake in the morning, it completely clears me out. Yes, it does give some form of diarrhea, but I'm willing to accept this for an hour or so, as it makes you feel so much better. It does give you a tummy ache and cramps, and you do feel like the pain will never go away, but once you've been to the toilet, it goes, it can't last forever. You have to accept a bit of tummy ache/pain if you are pooing out days' worth of poop. Love Dulcolax. It's a strong tablet, but it gets the job done."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2015

For Constipation "After feeling constipated, I decided to try Dulcolax. I took three pills at 9:00 AM, hoping to get some relief. At 3:00 PM, I was overwhelmed with a very strong urge to poop. My constipation was relieved with a normal, comfortable bowel movement. At 4:30, however, I became really sick to my stomach and felt sick. I have had the worst diarrhea of my life for the last 2 hours."

• It...
• June 27, 2014

For Constipation "Twelve hours after I took it, I had intermittent cramping, then an urge to go. Didn't go, but did vomit twice. Cramping intensified and I was reminded of giving birth. It really hurt. First poop was average, followed by loads of diarrhea. Make sure you can be home all the next day if you're taking it at night. You need to rush to the toilet. If I ever have to do this again, I think I'll try a suppository. But it worked!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 5, 2019

For Constipation "I have taken Dulcolax a few times (I actually take the CVS name brand because I find it to be a bit gentler, even though it is the exact same thing). I started off with one the night before and saw barely any effect. The next night, I took two, and oh boy... it is about 8-10 hours later when I wake up with really bad cramps, rush to the bathroom, and have liquid diarrhea. This lasts for about an hour or two, and then I am fine. I have taken this a few times over the years due to constipation."

• dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2016

For Constipation "NEVER EVER take these. I took the recommended dose of 3 before I went to bed around 10:30 p.m. About 1 a.m., I started having severe stomach pain and nausea. I had to get a trash can, the nausea was that bad. I laid in bed doubled over in pain for about an hour, and then, thankfully, was able to nod off to be rudely awakened to horrific stomach cramps, almost as bad as having contractions. It was like 4:30 a.m. I had horrible diarrhea. I went back to bed, and five minutes later, I had to jump up to go again. Then again and again and again. Here it is about 5:30 a.m., and I'm on my bathroom floor, sweating, feeling like I'm dying. I almost considered going to the ER, the side effects are that bad. If you don't want to feel like you're dying, then please save yourself and do not take these and suffer. These are horrible. I can't believe these are over the counter."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2021

For Constipation "Battling a kidney stone, hence pain meds, which led to constipation. Took Dulcolax last night and 6 hours in, I felt like my insides were being ripped apart. I could not lay down all night. The moment I laid down, I felt the sharp pains, so bad I had to sit up hunched over all night. I thought it was pains from my kidney stone and though I told myself I would not take any more pain meds because of the constipation, I had no choice. I was in so much pain. I didn't understand why it was so different than the regular kidney stone pain, which itself is excruciating. I couldn't figure out why it was so exacerbated when I tried to lay down. I thought maybe I was wrong, maybe I have appendicitis. Then, I decided to research Dulcolax and found all of these horrific reviews, and it all made sense. I will NEVER take this stuff again! Yes, it is clearing me out-massive diarrhea since 4:30 this morning, but seems to be easing off. The pain is just not worth it!"

• Cpa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Constipation "Dulcolax really upsets my stomach. Major gas pains, and one pill gives me diarrhea for days. You're better off taking a stool softener. I’ve taken this for a prep for a colonoscopy before as well. The only reason why I took another one was because that was all I had. Both times I’ve had to take it at night, and it was a horrible sleep. I was sweaty and just felt so bad. This med is far from gentle."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2015

For Constipation "I took the Dulcolax around 10:30 pm (not with enough water), and I thought it wasn't going to work because most laxatives work very fast for me. Around 2:44 am, my stomach was cramping extremely badly. I went to the bathroom and just sat there waiting for it to come, but I started feeling sick. Once I went back to my room, I looked at reviews of the product and saw that what was going on was normal. When I read most of them, I saw WATER!! WATER!!!! WATER!!!!... So I went downstairs and drank almost 3 big cups of water, and at about 6 pm... it was over, the diarrhea started. Water is the key, if you drink a lot in the beginning, you will be just fine."

• ATA...
• June 1, 2015

For Constipation "I tried this medicine twice in the past two weeks, hoping to see if my experience was consistent. It was. About an hour or two after taking the medicine, I had terrible cramping, stomach spasms, and during the second time, I felt nauseous with thick and stringy saliva. Not a fun experience. After 30 minutes of this, I was able to return to sleep and woke up occasionally with bloating and cramping. After waking up this morning, I had diarrhea (consistent with the first time) and occasional cramping that lessened the more I went to the toilet. This will be the last time I take these pills-not worth the pain, as others have said!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2019

For Constipation "I took 2 tablets for constipation. A couple of hours after taking the medication, I began having severe stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While it did help me go, here I am three days later and still vomiting. I will not be taking this medication again."

• Met...
• March 4, 2016

For Constipation "I'm a recovering opiate user. I'm used to the occasional constipation that comes from my addiction, but I entered a methadone recovery clinic, and this is when my constipation became severe. Long story short, after almost a week and a half, I was miserable and needed relief fast. My mom had Dulcolax and gave me THREE. I went to sleep thinking all would be okay. Only to wake up four hours later with SEVERE stomach cramps. So severe that I woke my grandmother sleeping in the next room. She was so worried about me that she was actually in the bathroom with me, putting cold towels on my head and back while I was on the toilet and started throwing up in the trash can in front of me. I finally passed the stool but had diarrhea for 24 hours after this experience."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2024

For Constipation "I suffer from really bad constipation. I took 2 Dulcolax, but I was going to the toilet, and I was still straining, so I took 2 more the next night. The next day I had diarrhea. I felt nauseous and didn’t want to eat much. I had backache and tummy ache. Even 4 days on, and I still have wind and lower middle tummy ache. Pressure ache in the bottom. It really messes me up for about a couple of weeks, especially after eating. I’m in lots of tummy pain. It did this before with another laxative. Puts me off. I wish there was something more gentle."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2016

For Constipation "Please don't take the pills! The suppositories are great, though! I took 2 around 4:30 pm. Before bed, I had a terrible burning feeling in my abdomen. At 1:30, I woke up in pain and went to the bathroom. Seemed to be nothing but gas-the worst possible gas you could ever have trapped inside you! I actually thought I was dying and wanted to call 911. Thirty minutes of this, then I finally pooped. Not much, soft but formed. Back to bed, an hour later the diarrhea started. It's 5 am, and it hasn't stopped. Explosive, watery, smelly, awful stuff. Felt like hot lava. Do not give this to children or adults. Never, ever take these. I'm throwing them out! I gave it a 2 because it technically works. I actually lost 2 pounds (so far) :("

• 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."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

For Constipation "Took Dulcolax before bed as I have had constipation for a few days. Woke up about 3 a.m. with bad cramps and awful gas. I had to sit on the loo for ages and still couldn't go, but had awful pains, felt sick, was sweating. Eventually, 30 minutes or so later, after cramps and the pain, I ended up with diarrhea and was physically sick, not just once, but a few times. I would never take this again, it is awful."