Dulcolax and Sweating: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mos...
• March 9, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Bought Dulcolax pink today because I will be having a colonoscopy tomorrow, so the doctor recommended this laxative as the best clear-out pill to take. Took 2, as recommended on the box, around 8:00 pm. It is 2:00 am, and I am in the most excruciating pain I have experienced. I am very high tolerant to pain, and this here topped it all: cold sweats, throwing up, back cramps, you name it. It is torture to have to wait till it is over. Never ever in my life will I take this laxative again, and I highly do not recommend it to anyone! I hope this torture ends soon, ER-worthy pain."

• Bea...
• August 18, 2020

For Constipation "Dulcolax is absolutely horrendous. It doesn’t take long to kick in at all. Pain literally feels like labor cramps but worse (I've had three children), made me feel very sick, hot and cold sweats. I’m so glad I only took one and not three, I think it would have been the end of me if I had taken three tablets! Yes, it did work, but I don’t think the pain was worth it. It went on for hours, the worst diarrhea, so if you did take this, I’d cancel any plans you have booked in."

• 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."

• 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."

• Lis...
• August 23, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Had to use this for the final step of the bowel prep for colonoscopy. I tolerated a MiraLAX and Gatorade combination for three hours. I started that at 5 o'clock. Was finished by 7:30. At 9 o'clock, I was instructed to take two tiny Dulcolax pills. I awoke at 11 to severe nausea. I dry heaved for about a half hour and then started vomiting violently. I broke out in a cold sweat and my hands went numb. I thought my husband was going to have to take me to the emergency room. The vomiting lasted for an hour. I finally fell asleep at 1:30 in the morning. I informed my G.I. prior to the colonoscopy about my horrible experience with this drug. I will never take it again."

• 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."

• Hia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2017

For Constipation "I take 3 pills twice a week. I take it at bedtime with tons of water. The stomach cramps wake me up about 4 am. They are fairly severe. Sometimes I get shakes or cold sweats. By 7 am, I have a BM but usually experience chills. I do get bad diarrhea for several hours after the first BM, but after this, my bloated stomach feels 1000 times better and I can eat again. I get so blocked up that I don't want to eat and feel sick. So yes, there are side effects, but they don't last forever and they are bearable. I'll take it again."

• Hai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Bought Dulcolax and took it last night, preparing for my colonoscopy tomorrow (today I start a liquid diet). I took two before bed because that's the directions my doctor gave me, and the back of the Dulcolax box says to take 1-3 for adults, so I assumed I was taking a pretty average dose. I took them at 11 pm with a full glass of water and went to sleep completely prepared to get up and work the next day but woke up around 6 am sweating with intense stomach cramping and horrible pain. I threw up twice before almost missing the toilet and practically spraying watery diarrhea for 30 minutes, all while shaking and having horrible pain and nausea, even after vomiting and going to the bathroom. Wish I would have read the reviews first on this drug."

• 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."

• Ano...
• July 6, 2017

For Constipation "DON'T DO IT! I admit, after taking 2 separate single pill doses the first day, with no relief, not even gas, the next morning I took 3 because it says to take 1-3! The violent, stabbing, blinding cramps from this stuff are nowhere near worth the relief of the bowel movement. Along with the pain were dry heaving, sweats, and dizziness. It was still horribly difficult to pass BMs, and they were rock solid. No softening effects. This should only be prescribed by an MD when a patient is at risk of death secondary to constipation because nothing else is worth taking these pills. Worst and scariest pain of my life. Can't believe they have the nerve to put 'gentle' on the box to sell it. Shameless. NEVER again."

• chr...
• May 1, 2023

For Constipation "I don't understand how these tablets are sold over the counter. Took 2 tablets for severe constipation, and 5 hours later I thought I would need to go to A&E. Severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, but the worst part was nearly passing out and the cold sweat all over. Stay away from these pills. Nothing gentle about them. My stomach is so sore after."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2014

For Constipation "I have been constipated for four days, and my GP recommended I try Dulcolax. I took it at noon, and around 6:30 pm, I was in agony with my stomach churning. I vomited several times and was stuck with unproductive straining. I was having cold sweats and was very spaced out. When I could move to my medicine cabinet, I took 10 mg of Buscopan and some paracetamol, which seem to have helped. I am not trying this again."

• Nik...
• March 11, 2017

For Constipation "This tablet deserves a zero! Gentle?! In what world was what I just experienced on the toilet gentle?! Cold sweat, uncontrollable burping, stomach cramps, vomiting, and of course the liquid coming out the back of me... for an hour! It was truly worse than labor, and I wanted to die! Do not buy this! Just don't! Walk away!"

• poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2019

For Constipation "Horrible experience. Traveling through the states and picked this up, assuming it'll be gentle and easy. It completely floored me, and I have spent the day in my hotel room. I obviously don't mind the pooping part (a lot came out!!), but I have also vomited three times and have had the most unbearable pains. I cried and had to take my clothes off as I was sweating but also cold... it was strange. Not worth the agony - the pain was far too extreme for what it did. I just wanted to poop before dinner! I didn't think I'd have to wince in pain and cry my eyes out for the privilege! I also had to clean up puke from the bathtub (gross!!) because I had to lean over in emergency. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TODAY THAT I JUST FEEL VIOLATED - a humbling experience, to say the least..."

• 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."

• Noo...
• March 9, 2016

For Constipation "By far, the worst experience I've had with any medicine. I almost called an ambulance, no exaggeration. I've never used a product like this before and chose it based on the package implying that you take it, it works overnight, and produces a normal BM the next day. Um, no... I woke up about 2 AM confused, sweating, cramping, and could barely stand. I essentially crawled to the toilet and, once there, kept nearly blacking out and gagging. I was clammy and pale, irregular heartbeat, shaking, extremely weak - What literally stopped me from calling 911 was that I didn't bring my phone into the bathroom and after I violently eliminated for a few mins, I started feeling less like I was dying. Can't emphasize enough, this stuff is so effing awful."

• Hol...
• September 29, 2015

For Constipation "Never, ever again. It is now 12:50 in the morning. I took 2 of these tablets at 6:00 pm last night for mild constipation. I am currently in absolute agony! It was worse 30 minutes ago, however. It was so bad then that I was close to getting my wife to take me to the hospital! That was before I read these reviews. The stomach cramps associated with this medication are simply ridiculous. What happened in my case was I passed two large stools, and then the floodgates opened! Literally. I have had bowel preps for colonoscopy exams in the past, and they were pleasant compared to this! Still got raging cramps, but no more movement. Although it feels like I want to, if you know what I mean. Oh, and I forgot to mention the sweats. Horrible medication!"

• Oak...
• March 23, 2014

For Constipation "Before my period every month, I get awful constipation for about a week before. I usually just wait it out because it eventually just goes away. But this time, I tried something new. I took 2 Dulcolax last night around 9 and woke up at 9:30 with severe nausea and cramping. Let's just say, after hours upon hours today of the worst stomach cramps possible, crying, sweating, and throwing up, I'm exhausted. It kept its word, it relieved all my constipation and I feel great now, I just wish all the side effects that came with taking it weren't so bad."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2017

For Constipation "I've taken this a couple of times and never really thought about the side effects because my body is unpredictable due to other sicknesses, but this last time I took it, I wondered if anyone had experienced the same effects. Taking it gives you relief, but not without putting you through hell first. I take it in the afternoon and wake up the next morning with horrible cramps. I get cold sweats occasionally and I start shaking. It scares the living crap out of me, and then for the rest of the day, I feel extremely weak. If you're gonna take this, mentally prepare for that hell."