Question 1

my hubby is scheduled for a colonoscopy. the day before his appt the inst. say to take 3 dulcolax pills. we have colace on hand. can 3 colace be used ?

Accepted Answer

No: Colace is merely a stool softener. A strong laxative is needed to clean out the colon as an inadequate preparation makes for an indeterminate colon visualization. Instruct your husband to carefully follow the instructions given to him. Avoiding roughage in the diet for several days precolonoscopy helps also.

Question 2

very good afternoon doctors! i had some constipation, and very stupidly played "musical doctors," and went to two gastroenterologists. one told me to take senekot or dulcolax, and one told me to take colace. what is your recommendation/preference?

Accepted Answer

No other disease?: Each person with constipation needs to be sure there is no other disease causing it. If constipation is just due to slow movement of the food and poop through the gut, then things people try are vegetables, water, prune juice, prunes, fiber-with-water, Miralax, Senokot or other senna, milk of magnesia, etc...  A doctor can evaluate and prescribe helpful meds too, such as Linzess or Amitiza.

Question 3

i have not had a bm in 10 days and know my chest is hurting, i'm always constipated i have take dulcolax, miralax, (polyethylene glycol) colace, mag, enema no results?

Accepted Answer

Ive always had: success with Milk of Magnesia.Take a capful every 8 hours until u go.If you don't go after 3 doses,go to the ER.You may have become resistant to laxatives.Plan to see Gastroenterology for help with your chronic constipation.Once u do go,get on daily Miralax (polyethylene glycol) and a high fiber diet.Stop all stimulant laxatives.

Question 4

i have ibs-m w/ diarrhea & constipation. was prescribed bentyl for the diarrhea but it causes constipation. can i take either lactulose, miralax, dulcolax, or colace w/ the bentyl to deal with the constipation it'll cause? already takin benefiber too?

Accepted Answer

: Bentyl is available in both 10 &amp; 20 mg strength. If you're already taking the lesser strength you could try 1/2 a tablet to lessen the occurrence of constipation. Taking a laxative infrequently is harmless, but I'm sure your gastroenterologist would want you to minimize strong laxative use.  Try senokot as needed for constipation relief. If you have predominant diarrhea ?try the fodmap diet

Question 5

very good morning doctors!! what is best the best laxative among dulcolax tablets, senekot, colace, miralax for recurrent constipation? very recent colonoscopy (october 2020) overall normal except for diverticulosis and internal hemorrhoids?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Dulcolax and Senekot are propulsant laxatives that cause muscle activity to ‘squeeze’ stools toward the anus, while miralax draws water into the bowel to,force evacuation and colace  slick coats the stool to make it easier to pass. My preference is miralax because it has no lasting effect and action can be controlled with dose. But I really prefer diet with adequate fiber and liquids for daily BMs

Question 6

im 31 weeks pregnant and was told to take colace if needed. hubby bought dulcolax stool softener (docusate sodium 100mg) . are the two the same?

Accepted Answer

Stool softeners: Either of the two are fine to take.

Question 7

colace (docusate sodium) or ducolax which is better?

Accepted Answer

Dulcolax: Dulcolax probably better in an acute situations with no bowel movements in few days. Colace (docusate sodium) is sometimes used on a daily basis for patients with a tendency to constipation and it takes longer for its effect. Given your age would suggest light exercise and good hydration along with a high fiber diet.

Question 8

can i take bisacodyl usp and docusate sodium together?

Accepted Answer

NO: these are the same medication- do not overuse laxatives. Use 8-10 glasses of fluid, fiber ( fruit, vegetables, cereals)  and bran.

Question 9

i tend to suffer from chronic constipation which i manage with docusate sodium (300 mg) and miralax (25.5 g) (under my gi). however i haven't gone in several days, can i combine bisacodyl usp (5 mg) safely with these two stool softeners this once?

Accepted Answer

: You can take a bisacodyl dose with the risk that you could develop diarrhea or loose stools as a result of this medication combination. Did GI diagnose a reason for your constipation? Be sure to stay well hydrated and eat a healthy diet. If these meds don’t have the desired effect, you should call your GI doctor for further instructions on what to try next. Good luck!

Question 10

is it ok to take dulcolax everyday?

Accepted Answer

Taking too often?: Before you contemplate long term laxative dependency, seek medical evaluation--rule out metabolic causes of constipation (e.g. Low thyroid or adrenal conditions), distinguish slow versus normal transit constipation, consider a primary rectal dysfunction that may be treatable with biofeedback, check for structural pathology or extrinsic impingement, or intermittent ileus (e.g. Pseudo-obstruction).

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Doctor answers about:

Dulcolax vs colace

A member asked:

My hubby is scheduled for a colonoscopy. the day before his appt the inst. say to take 3 dulcolax pills. we have colace on hand. can 3 colace be used ?

A member asked:

Very good afternoon doctors! i had some constipation, and very stupidly played "musical doctors," and went to two gastroenterologists. one told me to take senekot or dulcolax, and one told me to take colace. what is your recommendation/preference?

A member asked:

I have not had a bm in 10 days and know my chest is hurting, i'm always constipated i have take dulcolax, miralax, (polyethylene glycol) colace, mag, enema no results?

A member asked:

I have ibs-m w/ diarrhea & constipation. was prescribed bentyl for the diarrhea but it causes constipation. can i take either lactulose, miralax, dulcolax, or colace w/ the bentyl to deal with the constipation it'll cause? already takin benefiber too?

A member asked:

Very good morning doctors!! what is best the best laxative among dulcolax tablets, senekot, colace, miralax for recurrent constipation? very recent colonoscopy (october 2020) overall normal except for diverticulosis and internal hemorrhoids?

A member asked:

Im 31 weeks pregnant and was told to take colace if needed. hubby bought dulcolax stool softener (docusate sodium 100mg) . are the two the same?

A member asked:

Colace (docusate sodium) or ducolax which is better?

A member asked:

Can i take bisacodyl usp and docusate sodium together?

A member asked:

I tend to suffer from chronic constipation which i manage with docusate sodium (300 mg) and miralax (25.5 g) (under my gi). however i haven't gone in several days, can i combine bisacodyl usp (5 mg) safely with these two stool softeners this once?

A member asked:

Is it ok to take dulcolax everyday?

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