Dr. Chinmaya Bal MBBS , General Physician

Bisacodyl is available in the tablet form to be taken orally and as suppositories and enema to be taken through the rectum. It is usually taken orally 6 to 12 hours before a bowel movement is required. One should not take the oral medicine more than once a day or for more than a week as it might lead to dependence. One must comply with the doctor's prescribing information. A tablet should be swallowed with a glass of water and it should not be split, chewed or crushed. Bisacodyl should not be taken after one hour of consuming dairy products. If there is no relief, talking to the doctor can be helpful. Suppositories produce a bowel movement within 50 to 60 minutes while enema produces a bowel movement within 5 to 20 minutes.

Dr. Gaurav MBBS , General Physician

Constipation is one of the comorbidities of diabetes. The goal of therapy should be to achieve symptomatic relief without causing any additional complication. Yes, Bisacodyl is safe to be used in diabetics. However, if it doesn't produce relief, one must speak to a doctor immediately. 

Dr. Piyush Malav MBBS, MS , General Surgery

No, Bisacodyl should not be given to children under 6 years of age as patients in this age group can not swallow Bisacodyl without chewing it and this might lead to a breaking of the enteric coating, leading to gastric irritation. Suppositories can be given to children in cases of severe constipation under a supervision of a nurse. 

Dr. Vedprakash Verma MBBS, MD , Cardiology

Yes, Bisacodyl abuse can cause a rare disease known as urinary calcareous disease. In this disease, the fluids and electrolytes deplete from the gastrointestinal tract leading to the formation of supersaturated urinary calculi.

Dr. Ajay Kumar. MBBS, MD , Psychiatry, General Physician, Infectious Disease, Sexology, Internal Medicine, Venereology, Diabetology

Constipation is caused by poor dietary habits, inadequate consumption of water, lack of exercise or movement, insufficient visits to the toilet, pregnancy, and intake of some medicines. Yes, [medicine] is very effective against constipation. However, if you do not get relief, please speak to your doctor immediately.