Drug Interactions between bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride and Lanoxicaps

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: By increasing gastric pH, antacids may reduce the resistance of the enteric coating of bisacodyl tablets, resulting in earlier release of bisacodyl and gastric irritation and dyspepsia.

MANAGEMENT: The administration of antacids and bisacodyl should be separated by at least one hour.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate) may increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with certain osmotic laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), oral sulfate solution), such as colonic mucosal ulcerations or ischemic colitis. There have been isolated case reports of ischemic colitis occurring with the use of PEG-based bowel cleansing products in combination with higher dosages of bisacodyl (usually greater than 10 mg). Bisacodyl can cause colonic ischemia due to transient reduction in splanchnic blood flow. When administered in conjunction with an osmotic laxative such as PEG, increased intramural pressure secondary to increased peristalsis may lead to ischemic colitis and perforation.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturers for some osmotic bowel cleansing products recommend avoiding the concurrent use of stimulant laxatives. However, stimulant laxatives, in particular bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate, are sometimes used with PEG in certain bowel cleansing regimens to help reduce dose volume and improve patient tolerability and acceptance. Please consult individual product labeling for specific recommendations and guidance. Patients using osmotic bowel cleansing products and stimulant laxatives who present with sudden abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or other symptoms of ischemic colitis should be evaluated promptly.

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Concurrent administration of antacids may decrease the oral bioavailability of digoxin and digitoxin. The mechanism of interaction is unknown. In ten healthy volunteers, administration of a single 0.75 mg dose of digoxin with 60 mL of antacid containing either 4% aluminum hydroxide gel, 8% magnesium hydroxide gel, or 8% magnesium trisilicate resulted in significantly reduced urinary excretion of digoxin (expressed as the percentage of original dose recovered) compared to administration without antacid. Specifically, the cumulative six-day urinary digoxin excretion was 40.1% for control, 30.7% for aluminum hydroxide, 27.1% for magnesium hydroxide, and 29.1% for magnesium trisilicate. In an in vitro study involving absorption across a physiological membrane, cumulative absorption of digoxin 0.25 mg was reduced 11.4% by aluminum hydroxide gel, 15.3% by light magnesium carbonate, and 99.5% by magnesium trisilicate. In a case report, an approximately 50% reduction in digoxin systemic exposure (AUC) was observed when digoxin was administered with 30 mL of an aluminum-magnesium hydroxide antacid and mexiletine. The interaction was attributed to the antacid, as mexiletine is not known to interact with digoxin. Some data also support a potential interaction with digitoxin. However, other studies have found no evidence of a significant interaction between digoxin and various antacids. Based on existing evidence, no special precautions appear necessary, although patients may consider separating the times of administration by 1 to 2 hours if an interaction is suspected.

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