Bisacodyl

Bisacodyl
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(pyridin-2-ylmethanediyl)dibenzene-4,1-diyl diacetate OR 4,4'-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)bis(4,1-phenylene) diacetate
Identifiers
CAS number	603-50-9
ATC code	A06AB02
PubChem	2391
ChemSpider	2299
Chemical data
Formula	C22H19NO4
Mol. mass	361.391 g/mol
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	15%
Metabolism	Hepatic (CYP450-mediated)
Half life	16 Hours
Excretion	primarily in the feces, systemically absorbed drug is excreted in the urine
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C
Legal status	OTC
Routes	Oral, rectal
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Bisacodyl (INN) is a stimulant laxative drug. It is typically prescribed for relief of constipation and for the management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction as well as part of bowel preparation before medical examinations. Bisacodyl is a diphenylmethane derivative and was first used as a laxative in 1953 due to its similarity to phenolphthalein.^[1]

Available forms

Bisacodyl is sold under the trade names Dulcolax, Fleet, Alophen, Correctol, and Carter's Little Pills (formerly Carter's Little Liver Pills^[2]) as well as generically. It is usually sold as 5mg tablets, 10mg suppositories, or 5mg pediatric suppositories. It is also available as a 1.25 fluid ounce prepackaged enema containing a 10mg delivered dose of liquid bisacodyl.

Administration

When bisacodyl is administered orally, it is usually taken at bedtime. This is due to the relatively long onset of the drug when taken orally (around 6-10 hours). When administered rectally in suppository form, it is usually effective in 15 to 60 minutes. As an enema, onset of action usually occurs in 5 to 20 minutes.

Bisacodyl is also sometimes used before and after a colonoscopy.^[3]

Mechanism of Action

Bisacodyl works by stimulating enteric nerves to cause colonic mass movements. It is also a contact laxative; it increases fluid and NaCl secretion.

Cultural References

Carter's Little Liver Pills predated the other available forms of bisacodyl and was a very popular and heavily advertised patent medicine up into the 1960s, spawning a common saying (with variants) in the first half of the 20th Century: "He/She has more _________ than Carter has Little Liver Pills".

References

External links

• Bisacodyl at drugdigest.org
• Bowel care with bisacodyl suppositories
• bisacodyl Consumer Drug Information
• Dulcolax laxative

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