Chemistry:Bisacodyl

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Short description: Laxative
Bisacodyl
File:Bisacodyl skeletal.svg
Bisacodyl-from-xtal-3D-bs-17.png
Clinical data
Trade namesFleet, Dulcolax, Brooklax, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa601027
Pregnancy
category
  • B
Routes of
administration
By mouth or rectal
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability15%
MetabolismLiver (CYP450-mediated)
Elimination half-life16 Hours
Excretionprimarily in the feces, systemically absorbed drug is excreted in the urine
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC22H19NO4
Molar mass361.397 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
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Bisacodyl (INN) is an organic compound that is used as a stimulant laxative drug. It works directly on the colon to produce a bowel movement. It is typically prescribed for relief of episodic and chronic constipation and for the management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction, as well as part of bowel preparation before medical examinations, such as for a colonoscopy.[1][2]

Bisacodyl is a derivative of triphenylmethane. It was first used as a laxative in 1953 because of its structural similarity to phenolphthalein.[3][4]

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[5]

Available forms

Bisacodyl is marketed under the trade names Dulcolax/Durolax, Muxol, Fleet, Nourilax, Alophen, Correctol, and Carter's Little Pills (formerly Carter's Little Liver Pills),[6] as well as being available generically. It is usually sold as 5 mg tablets, 10 mg suppositories, or 5 mg pediatric suppositories. It is also available as a 1.25 US fluid ounces (37 ml) pre-packaged enema containing a 10 mg delivered dose of liquid bisacodyl.[7]

Administration

When bisacodyl is administered orally, it is usually taken at breakfast. Oral administration is known to produce no action for more than eight hours and then to work suddenly and relatively quickly. This is especially true if more than 10 mg is taken at one time. Normally, the dosage is 5 or 10 mg, but up to 30 mg can be taken for complete cleansing of the bowel before a procedure.

When administered rectally in suppository form, it is usually effective in 15 to 60 minutes. For optimal use, if used as a suppository, it is recommended that bisacodyl be given after breakfast to synchronize with the gastrocolic reflex.[2] Two suppositories can be inserted at once if a very strong, purgative, enema-like result is needed. A few hours after the initial evacuation, there can be a secondary action which will continue as long as there is unexpelled bisacodyl present in the rectum.

As a commercially prepared micro-enema, it is usually effective in 5 to 20 minutes.[7]

Mechanism of action

Bisacodyl works by stimulating enteric neurons to cause peristalsis, i.e., colonic contractions. It is also a contact laxative; it increases fluid and salt secretion. The action of bisacodyl on the small intestine is negligible; stimulant laxatives mainly promote evacuation of the colon.[7]

See also

References

  1. "A consensus document on bowel preparation before colonoscopy: prepared by a task force from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)". Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 63 (7): 894–909. June 2006. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2006.03.918. PMID 16733101. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Constipation: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment". JAMA 315 (2): 185–91. January 2016. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.16994. PMID 26757467. 
  3. "Polyethylene glycol versus vegetable oil based bisacodyl suppositories to initiate side-lying bowel care: a clinical trial in persons with spinal cord injury". Spinal Cord 36 (11): 777–81. November 1998. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3100702. PMID 9848486. 
  4. "Methods and techniques: The use of Bisacodyl suppositories in preparation for sigmoidoscopy". Gut. British Medical Journal 5: 271–3. 1964. doi:10.1136/gut.5.3.271. PMID 14178715. 
  5. World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2021. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02. 
  6. "Medicine: Cut Out the Liver". Time. 1951-04-16. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,814704,00.html. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. 2000. doi:10.1002/14356007.a15_183. ISBN 3527306730. 

External links