Dulcolax and Upset Stomach: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ell...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 30, 2023

For Constipation "Horrible. I took it at 8 p.m. Just one tablet. Woke up at 4 a.m. feeling sick to my stomach. Had to get off the loo and lay on the bathroom floor. First, I vomited, then started feeling cold and clammy and felt like I was going to pass out. The stomach cramps were horrendous. Then it just started pouring out of me while I lay there and thought I was dying. After that, I noticed blood in what was coming out. Went to the ER and they gave me an IV for dehydration. I’ll NEVER take this again, EVER."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 123...
• July 14, 2014

For Constipation "Took 3 pills an hour ago. Rev condensed dose is 1-3. I have not left the bathroom. It says gentle overnight relief on the box. Should say painful relief in 20 minutes. I am regretting taking the 3. I have a feeling I will be up all night. Works amazing. But please be careful with how many you take. The stomach cramps only happen before you need to go and during, but are over after. Completely detox and cleans your system. Worth it!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• mxw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2014

For Constipation "I had been getting wind pain and lower abdominal pain from not being able to go for about 4-5 days. I took 2 tablets around noon. I have never taken any laxatives prior to this. Six hours later, I experienced some mild cramping, which lasted for another 8 hours. When the cramping died down around midnight, I experienced some flatulence, which gave my bloated stomach some relief, and I was able to take a short nap. Woke up at 6 a.m. and I'm happy to say it did the trick. If I was in the same situation, I would take this again, I suppose most users don't post unless their reaction was extremely good or bad."

• 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!"

• Zip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2016

For Constipation "I took one Dulcolax tablet last night at 19:00. Woke at 01:45 with the most horrendous stomach cramps, sweating profusely, nausea followed by 5 bouts of vomiting. My whole inside felt as though it was on fire, even childbirth was not as painful. At one point, I thought my husband was going to have to call for an ambulance. I have lost count of the number of BMs I have had during the day/night, just running out non-stop. I will never take another Dulcolax, I have thrown the packet out and would not wish this experience on anyone. I have wasted a day in my life in bed that I will never get back!"

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2018

For Constipation "I was scared after reading reviews, but it was not a traumatic experience. I took ONE at 6 pm, woke up around 3:30 am to stomach cramps, and had 2 intense BMs at 4. Nothing insane happened, but it seems like people are taking 2-4, just take ONE. I promise one will clean you out. The stomach cramps definitely weren’t the best, but I have the lowest pain tolerance, and I lived. Just follow the directions, drink plenty of water after taking the pill (I had about 4 bottles of water), and only take ONE pill!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2017

For Constipation "I took 3 around 4:40 pm when I got off of work, I drank 2, 16.9 oz water bottles, started walking around for 20 minutes, and I had the worst stomach pain, and then they stopped. Around 8:15 pm, I started experiencing the urge to go, and I had to rush to a bathroom. Around 4:30 am the next morning, I woke up with the worst stomach pains, and I thought I was going to vomit. I drank a small amount of water, walked around my room for a while, did a few stomach exercises, and soon the pains became BMs, and after 3 movements, I just hope it's over. Dulcolax stomach cramps, menstrual stomach cramps, both wake you up in the middle of the night, and you can't go back to sleep."

• 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."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Constipation "Wow, I thought my insides were being ripped inside out! I’m so pleased I found these reviews, the agonizing stomach ache frightened me to death. These tablets do the job 1000x over, but my goodness, they aren’t worth the painful, painful stomach aches. One of the most painful experiences of my life! I can imagine this is what childbirth is like, and it has put me off for the rest of my life!"

• 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."

• Mat...
• October 18, 2015

For Constipation "I took two tablets at 9:30 pm, by 12:30 am, I was in horrible pain, had stomach cramps and nausea. I was seated on the toilet with a plastic bag ready in case I vomited. I started to sweat profusely, shaking, and almost passed out. I called for my husband, but my voice was very faint because I did not have any strength left from the extreme pain that I was experiencing. I thought I was going to end up in the emergency room. It is a good thing I had something to lean on, or I would have ended sprawled on the bathroom floor. I am going to throw away the rest of the medication. No way I will take it again."

• ema...
• September 13, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I took 2 of these around 9:30 last night. This morning around 5 AM, I woke up with stomach cramping that put any pain I have felt before to shame. About 4 hours later, I started vomiting profusely. Finally, after an enema, I relieved my bowels. Never again will I put myself through this agony. No thank you. I will drink some mag citrate next time."

• 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."

• 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!!!!"

• Oye...
• March 24, 2016

For Constipation "Do not take!! I woke up 2 hours after taking the pills confused, dizzy, sweaty, puking, and I've never had stomach cramps so bad in my life. I went back to bed at 12, and woke up at 7 a.m. with the same problems! I'd rather be constipated than take that again."

• 10S...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

For Constipation "Wow. It certainly does what it says on the tin. Had to buy this medication on my holiday, I took 2 x 5 mg tablets before bed. Big mistake. I woke at 4:20 a.m., and my poop was like hot lava. Runs until 5:10 a.m. without an end in sight. I was actually woke with the most extreme stomach cramps and nausea that I’ve ever experienced. I don’t think I have ever felt as ill due to those tablets. They did what they said, though. I am no longer constipated, and I’m about 10 stone lighter. It’s now 11:20 a.m., and even a few sips of water are running straight through me. I’m still experiencing extreme runs of skitter, but at least the cramps have stopped, and at least I’m not constipated anymore."

• Fla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Decided to take Dulcolax in order to cleanse after a frisky weekend of unjudicious eating. Took one lil pill after 11:30 pm and crawled into bed. It is 2:30 am, and I have particularly terrible stomach cramps. Right below my esophagus. Right in the trapper. Got up once to see if gravity would help me move the sludge along, but I just got nauseous and sat on the toilet long enough to realize that I wanted to be back in bed again. I swiped a water bottle from the fridge and a pack of Saltine crackers from the pantry on my hunched waddle back to the bedroom. As I lay there in an extra sad version of the fetal position, I read some of the reviews on this website. As a second-time user of the stuff, I must confirm the rumors. But Saltines help."

• ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2017

For Constipation "It only took 3 hours to start working. I was suddenly hit with what felt like strong, sharp, searing gas pains in my upper stomach. So much that I was hunched over and howling. I felt sweaty and nauseated. The pain lasted about 30-45 mins. I did have bowel movements as well. It has now been about five hours later, and I am still going to the bathroom. Stomach feels very sore, and I feel somewhat exhausted and just run down. I would not recommend this nor take it again for constipation. I am a normal 32-year-old female."

• Wor...
• December 31, 2016

For Constipation "I took one around 5 pm, and then at 2:30 am, I woke up to a burning sensation in my stomach. When I realized what was starting to happen, I almost had a panic attack because of all the reviews that I remembered. Seriously, guys, what I went through was bad for a laxative, it was like having the flu, but nowhere near as bad as everyone claims it to be. For me, it was only a couple of hours, and then I was able to sleep. Today, my stomach feels a bit sensitive, but I'm fine. And it worked really well too, I didn't have diarrhea, just a really easy to pass BM. If it hurt that much for some, I think it's because they're way too constipated, which could mean intestinal impaction. DO NOT take laxatives if you think it is, it can end really badly."

• del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2015

For Constipation "I took 2 tablets at noontime, and by 9:00 am the next morning, I was in such pain I could hardly sit on the toilet, which lasted a total of 24 plus hours. I should have gone to the ER, but I could not even stand up to take myself there. The box says it is gentle, by no means is it that, and it states you can give this to children! I wouldn't put this pain on any child. Now, two days after, I am heading over to the hospital because between the violent stomach cramps and the vomiting, I strained myself so bad I have a hernia now and a constant headache."