Dulcolax Twelve Plus 5mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets x100

Constipation can be an uncomfortable and frustrating condition, often leaving you feeling bloated, heavy, sluggish, or generally “off colour”. It is frequently caused by sudden changes in diet, a lack of dietary fibre, inadequate fluid intake, a lack of exercise, or certain medications. When lifestyle changes like drinking more water and increasing your daily fibre are not enough, Dulcolax Twelve Plus 5mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets offer an effective, short-term medicinal solution.

Each pack contains 100 small, easy-to-swallow tablets. The active component, bisacodyl, belongs to a group of medicines known as stimulant laxatives. It works directly on the lining of the lower bowel (large intestine) to stimulate muscle movement and promote the accumulation of water. This dual action softens the stool and prompts an efficient evacuation. Because they are best taken at bedtime, Dulcolax works in harmony with your body overnight to ensure predictable, satisfying relief the following morning.

As an NHS-registered online pharmacy, we prioritise patient safety. Please note that stimulant laxatives are strictly intended for short-term relief (no more than 5 consecutive days) and do not aid in weight loss. Laxatives have no effect on the absorption of calories or nutrients in the small intestine.

Additional information

Directions

Always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before use. For oral administration:

• Adults (including the elderly) and children over 12 years: Take 1 or 2 tablets daily at bedtime.

• If you have not taken Dulcolax Twelve Plus before, it is clinically recommended to start with the lowest dose (1 tablet) and increase to 2 tablets only if necessary.

• How to take: Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets, as this breaks the special gastro-resistant coating prematurely.

• Once bowel regularity has successfully returned to normal, the dosage should be reduced and can usually be stopped.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, Dulcolax Twelve Plus can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them. If you experience severe reactions, stop taking the medicine immediately and consult a healthcare provider.

• Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

  • Abdominal cramps or pain

  • Diarrhoea

  • Nausea

• Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • Vomiting

  • Blood in the stool (typically mild and self-limiting)

  • Abdominal discomfort

  • Dizziness

• Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) causing swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing.

  • Colitis (inflammation of the large intestine causing abdominal pain and diarrhoea).

  • Dehydration and fainting.

Important Warnings & Precautions

Before taking this medication, ensure it is safe for you.

• Do not take Dulcolax Twelve Plus if you:

  • Are allergic (hypersensitive) to bisacodyl or any of the other listed ingredients.

  • Are severely dehydrated.

  • Have a bowel obstruction (intestinal blockage or “ileus”).

  • Have a serious acute abdominal condition such as appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel disease, or severe abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

  • Have a rare hereditary intolerance to certain sugars (this product contains lactose and sucrose).

• Length of Treatment: Do not take these tablets every day for more than 5 days. Overuse can damage your health, disrupting your body’s fluid and electrolyte balances (which can affect muscle and heart function) and causing severe dehydration.

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, unless explicitly directed by your doctor.

• Driving and Machinery: Some patients may experience dizziness or fainting. This is generally due to a response to abdominal cramps or straining during a bowel movement rather than the medicine itself. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.

Interactions with other foods and medicines:

• Milk, antacids, or proton pump inhibitors (medicines that reduce stomach acid): Do not consume any of these within one hour before or after taking your Dulcolax tablet. Reducing stomach acidity too close to taking the medication will cause the enteric coating to dissolve prematurely, leading to stomach irritation or reduced effectiveness.

Ingredients

• Active Ingredient: Each gastro-resistant tablet contains 5mg of Bisacodyl.

• Other Ingredients (Excipients): Lactose monohydrate, maize starch, sucrose (approximately 23.4mg per tablet), glycerol, magnesium stearate, talc (E553b), acacia, titanium dioxide (E171), methacrylic acid-methylmethacrylate copolymer (1:1 and 1:2), castor oil, macrogol 6000, yellow iron oxide (E172), white beeswax, carnauba wax, and shellac.

Storage Instructions

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

• Do not store the tablets above 25°C.

• Keep the blister strip inside the original outer carton to protect the tablets from moisture and light.

• Do not use after the expiry date (EXP) stated on the carton and blister pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that specific month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does Dulcolax Twelve Plus take to work?

A: Dulcolax tablets typically take between 6 to 12 hours to produce a bowel movement. This is why it is recommended to take them at night before bed, providing predictable, gentle relief the next morning.

Q: Can I use Dulcolax for weight loss or detoxing?

A: No. Dulcolax is a stimulant laxative intended strictly for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation. Laxatives do not reduce the absorption of calories or nutrients in the small intestine, and they should never be used for weight management. Overuse can lead to severe health complications, including dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Q: What should I do if my constipation does not clear after 5 days?

A: You should not use Dulcolax for more than 5 consecutive days. If your symptoms persist, or if you experience severe abdominal pain or pass blood, stop taking the medication and consult your GP or a pharmacist for further clinical advice.

Q: Can I drink a glass of milk when taking Dulcolax?

A: No. You must avoid drinking milk, taking antacids, or taking proton pump inhibitors (indigestion medication) for at least one hour before or after taking a Dulcolax tablet. These substances neutralise stomach acid, which will cause the tablet’s protective gastro-resistant coating to dissolve too early in the stomach, potentially causing stomach upset or stopping the medicine from working correctly.

Q: Are these tablets suitable for children?

A: Dulcolax Twelve Plus tablets are suitable for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over. They must not be given to children under 12 years old.