In our experience, patients usually have tried
bisacodyl before seeking treatment for constipation.
sodium phosphate preparation with a bowel preparation kit containing 2 L of PEG and
bisacodyl tablets.
The most common active ingredient in these preparations is
bisacodyl, which typically activates mass colonic movement in 5 to 15 minutes.
Stimulants (senna and
bisacodyl) can help some patients whose conditions are difficult to treat.
Another study, which was presented as a poster at the meeting, compared a new, 32-tablet form of sodium phosphate preparation with a bowel preparation kit containing 2 L of PEG and
bisacodyl tablets.
The odds ratios for predicting poor bowel preparation (after adjusting for age, gender, ethnic group, and language) were 12 for low literacy, 6 for eating dinner the night before the examination, and 5 for not taking
bisacodyl.
In the new Mayo Clinic protocol that began this past summer, patients having virtual colonoscopies simply take four tablets of the cleansing agent
bisacodyl.
Stimulants (eg,
bisacodyl, cascara, senna, ricinoleic acid) cause rhythmic muscle contractions in the intestines and increase intestinal motility and secretions.
The odds ratios for predicting poor bowel preparation (after adjusting for age, gender, ethnic group, and language) were 12 for low literacy, 6 for eating dinner the night before the examination, and 5 for not taking
bisacodyl. Other important predictors included eating lunch the previous day, and not finishing the polyethelene glycol solution.
There are seven types of products that act as laxatives: saline (phosphates and magnesium hydroxide and its salts), stimulants/irritants (cascara,
bisacodyl, casanthranol, senna, and castor oil), bulking agents (methylcellulose, polycarbophil, and psyllium), emollient (mineral oil), fecal softeners (docusate), hyperosmotics (glycerin, lactulose), and tegaserod (Zelnorm).