Bisacodyl and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Constipation "Man, oh man! I'm 60, and I've always had constipation. I mean, I literally have only gone to the bathroom 2-3 times a week and (hate to be so graphic) my stools were hard as rocks. Ex-Lax caused cramping so bad it was like short labor pains. I've been on 2 Dulcolax tablets every other day for about 2 weeks, and I've never had absolutely normal bowel movements in my entire life! There's absolutely no cramping. No watery BMs... like Ex-Lax. And I can't believe how much better I feel because I'm going to the potty like a normal person!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2014

For Constipation "Yup, no doubt it works. I take it at night before I sleep, so then in the morning I am forced to wake up because the cramps hurt so much. But honestly, it works, and the pain is bearable, and the result is awesome, a bunch of diarrhea later, and I feel awesome!"

• Cap...
• November 11, 2014

For Constipation "Works like a charm - a crampy, semi-painful charm, but still I'm 150 lbs, 5'7''. I would recommend starting with one pill, no dairy before or after, and lots of water to go with it. The pain - and there is pain - is bearable, and if you absolutely need to go, Dulcolax will get you there overnight. But make sure you can afford to be up during a couple of hours that night."

• Pet...
• July 13, 2013

For Constipation "Dosage for adults says 1-3 pills. I'm 27, 130 lbs, hadn't gone for almost two weeks and was starting to feel full even when I didn't eat and extremely bloated. I only took one pill because I didn't want severe cramping. Seven hours later, after a lot of rumbling and mild cramping, I had to 'go'. Intense cramping during going, my knees were shaking and I vomited three times as well. This certainly works, but I also felt like I had a severe stomach virus for about the 30-minute duration. This was from one pill. I couldn't imagine taking two or three. Everyone's bodies react differently, but I will be going the enema route next time."

• 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."

• Riv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2019

For Constipation "I took two 5 mg and then read the reviews. Was so stressed by the negative reviews, but I drank as much water as humanly possible. The pills caused bearable cramping and only had mild nausea the first time I went to the toilet. The poop was medium soft then a waterfall, but when you're constipated, you kind of want that stuff put anyway, so that part didn’t bother me too much. Overall, it took about 10 hours to kick in. I've been to the toilet 3 times, once every two hours after the first time, so only use this medicine when you have nowhere else to go and no other duties. I'm sure there’s a more high-quality way to manage constipation, but this works and it's not the best, but in no way is it worse than constipation. It's not perfect, but definitely not the worst thing ever."

• 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."