Dulcolax for Bowel Preparation User Reviews (Page 2)

• Hot...
• January 7, 2021

"Prepared for a flexible sigmoidoscopy on a Friday at 1 pm began Wednesday. Wednesday: light breakfast of solids, the rest of the day 1 gallon of water spaced out and clear liquid fluid foods. Had a BM as I usually daily do in the morning. 1 Dulcolax 4:30 pm that Wednesday with 2 bottles of water, regular BM at 11:30 pm. I wondered why I wasn’t running to the washroom or in any painful symptoms described here. Set an alarm at 6 am Thursday and popped 2 more with 2 bottles of water. Normal BM as I usually daily do, and then a normal but large watery BM at 3 pm. No symptoms again as described in other reviews. I think the key to the prep is just drink a ton of water, and when you think you can’t drink anymore, drink some more. I wondered why I wasn’t making more BMs all Wednesday or Thursday, but it’s likely because I eat clean and I also already wasn’t eating solids when I began the prep."

• Nol...
• June 15, 2017

"Took this with phospho-soda for my colonoscopy prep. 6:45 pm I took 45 mL phospho-soda. Then at 8:45 pm took 4 pcs of 5 mg bisacodyl Dulcolax as instructed. Around 9 pm I started visiting the toilet and stayed there for like ages. Probably the result of phospho-soda since it's also a laxative. I knew Dulcolax would hit me harder later on. I only went out when someone wanted to use the toilet. I wore adult diapers before exiting just to be sure enough because I couldn't hold the poop inside. Just slips out of my butt without control. Then the worst happened. Around midnight I felt severe stomachaches. The discharge was almost all water and was discharged as if from a pressurized water hose. My butt burns also. Can't touch it. Luckily all is well at 6 am."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2023

"Do not take Dulcolax if you have IBS. I have been tripled over with stomach cramps post-colonoscopy. I have had many colonoscopies and have never experienced stomach pains like this. No more Dulcolax for me."

• Wat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2020

"I had to use Dulcolax along with Miralax for a colonoscopy prep. I had to take 3 Dulcolax pills at 10 AM and another 3 at 3 PM. This is in addition to the Miralax. I will never take Dulcolax again. I still have diarrhea, and it's been over 24 hours. I had the colonoscopy and had to go non-stop right up until they wheeled me in. And like I said, I still have diarrhea after 24 hours of taking them. Very harsh laxative. Don't take it!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2016

"I took one and then several hours later took another. When I woke up, I felt really sick in my stomach, cramps were excruciating. I ran to the bathroom and got incredibly dizzy and felt horribly sick to the point where I was vomiting. I broke out into a horrible sweat and was lying on the floor. I literally felt like I was having an allergic reaction to the pill or something else. It was a horrible experience, and two days later, my stomach still hurts. Great for some people, but I was too sensitive for this. I will never take it again. It says gentle relief, it felt more like the beginning stages of labor, and I've had four kids, so I can say this."

• Mos...
• March 9, 2016

"Bought Dulcolax pink today because I will be having a colonoscopy tomorrow, so the doctor recommended this laxative as the best clear-out pill to take. Took 2, as recommended on the box, around 8:00 pm. It is 2:00 am, and I am in the most excruciating pain I have experienced. I am very high tolerant to pain, and this here topped it all: cold sweats, throwing up, back cramps, you name it. It is torture to have to wait till it is over. Never ever in my life will I take this laxative again, and I highly do not recommend it to anyone! I hope this torture ends soon, ER-worthy pain."

• ak1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

"The 'gentle' method they offered for my colonoscopy was anything but gentle. They prescribed 60 ml of milk of magnesia, which wasn't too bad, but then came the 5 Dulcolax tablets. Let me tell you, no one can understand the pain until they have to take those five little tablets. I was stuck on the toilet for hours, feeling dizzy, weak, and even throwing up. The pain was unbearable. And let's not forget the constant flow of liquid stool that felt like toxic chemicals coming out of me. My poor bottom burns so badly, and every time I thought I was done, more would run out. I had to resort to wearing a diaper, and I couldn't even finish the Miralax prep. It's absolutely disgusting that doctors think it's okay to subject patients, especially those with GI issues, to this kind of treatment. The burning sensation is worse than any normal diarrhea I've ever experienced. I've made up my mind: I'm never getting a colonoscopy again, no matter how dangerous it may be to forgo it."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2019

"I was having a colonoscopy, and Dulcolax was a part of the prep. I ended up at urgent care for severe stomach cramps, pain, nausea, and vomiting, and passing blood. Had to get an anti-nausea med to settle my system down. Will not take a colon prep again if it involves this laxative."

• Lis...
• August 23, 2016

"Had to use this for the final step of the bowel prep for colonoscopy. I tolerated a MiraLAX and Gatorade combination for three hours. I started that at 5 o'clock. Was finished by 7:30. At 9 o'clock, I was instructed to take two tiny Dulcolax pills. I awoke at 11 to severe nausea. I dry heaved for about a half hour and then started vomiting violently. I broke out in a cold sweat and my hands went numb. I thought my husband was going to have to take me to the emergency room. The vomiting lasted for an hour. I finally fell asleep at 1:30 in the morning. I informed my G.I. prior to the colonoscopy about my horrible experience with this drug. I will never take it again."

• Bma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

"I had some anxiety before using this drug after reading reviews, so I made it a priority to drink lots of water. I probably drank a gallon of water before taking 4 tablets and 2 more gallons during the time after. Other than feeling kind of sleepy, though I was up late the night before, I had no problems or pain. I took 4 tablets at 11 AM for an 8:30 AM colonoscopy the next morning."

• GCC...
• November 23, 2016

"Without being ashamed of! Right now I'm experiencing all that written. I had two pills, 5 mg, at 1:50 a.m., and I woke just right now, it's 6:10 a.m. to a terrible pain in my stomach. It felt like I had a failure in my organs. I cannot tell nor explain to you how much the pain is killing me. Right now I'm sitting in the toilet for about 23 minutes, I cannot get up - I have nausea and diarrhea. DON'T TAKE THE PILL under any circumstances."

• Hai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2016

"Bought Dulcolax and took it last night, preparing for my colonoscopy tomorrow (today I start a liquid diet). I took two before bed because that's the directions my doctor gave me, and the back of the Dulcolax box says to take 1-3 for adults, so I assumed I was taking a pretty average dose. I took them at 11 pm with a full glass of water and went to sleep completely prepared to get up and work the next day but woke up around 6 am sweating with intense stomach cramping and horrible pain. I threw up twice before almost missing the toilet and practically spraying watery diarrhea for 30 minutes, all while shaking and having horrible pain and nausea, even after vomiting and going to the bathroom. Wish I would have read the reviews first on this drug."

• Per...
• November 3, 2022

"I had never taken Dulcolax before. I was prescribed to take 4 pills for bowel prep. Within 5-10 minutes, I was hit with incredible stomach pain and hot flashes all over my body. I was actually shocked at what it made me feel like. Shortly thereafter, I started getting nausea until I could no longer contain it and vomited about 20 minutes from when I first took the pills. I did feel relief after vomiting. Never again will I take this pill due to these side effects."

• Dgf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

"I took this medication for colonoscopy prep, it's currently Monday evening, and my colonoscopy is on Wednesday morning. I took 2 pills as prescribed by my doctor at 1 pm with copious amounts of fluids. At 2 pm, I had a small BM, at 3 pm, I had severe cramps and what can only be described as explosive diarrhea, at 4 pm, there was nothing but liquid. It's now 6 pm, and all that is left is stomach acid and unbelievable cramps. I haven't even started on the drink yet. Worst part, I have to do this again tomorrow. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE."

• CTS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2016

"I had started to read all these reviews just minutes after popping two 5 mg of Dulcolax. Needless to say, I started to freak out and attempted to force myself to throw up without avail. Took two pills at 9 pm, had a very uneasy night because of gas. By 4:30 am, I was up with mild cramps and the urge to go, managed to have a bowel movement with a few minutes on the toilet, woke up again at 5:45 am for another bowel movement, which was slightly watery. Managed to rest until 6:30 am and still have the urge to go. I must say I had minimal discomfort in comparison to all the horrid reviews on here, I was expecting hell. Maybe something to take note of is the amount of water to drink with this tablet, make sure you have at least 2 glasses of water."

• Hor...
• July 19, 2016

"A first-time user, I took two little orange pills and experienced the worst abdominal pain ever. I once terminated a colonoscopy that was underway on me with no anesthesia (long story), and this pain equaled that. My thanks to you, fellow website contributors, who gave me confidence to avoid the emergency room after searching on 'Dulcolax cramps.' The extreme pain lasted at least an hour; it subsided gradually over the next 5 hours. Have someone aware of what you're going through, and be safe about possibly passing out. I did not pass out. (Age 67/male.)"

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2018

"I tried Dulcolax for the first time. I took it around 7 pm. At 2 am, I woke up with the worst stomach pains I’ve ever felt. I mean ever. I laid in bed not knowing if I should go to the hospital or wait it out. I waited it out, and a few minutes into the pain, I felt like I was going to vomit everywhere. A few minutes into feeling like I was going to vomit, I also felt like I was going to poop my pants. I went to sit on the toilet and thought I was going to poop everywhere. Instead, I took a tiny dump. I went back to bed and still felt pain. 30 minutes later, I ran to the toilet and took a massive dump. Now I am still in pain and just waiting for more poop to come as I am still feeling like garbage. I’ve had a chocolate laxative before and felt nothing like this. I will not take this product again."

• tes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

"Both Dulcolax and bisacodyl tablets gave me burping and such severe heartburn, I thought I was going to suffocate. Next came severe gastric reflux with burning acid in my throat. I will never take this product again. How on earth can the label say it is gentle?"

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2023

"I was terrified after reading these reviews. I had a bad prep experience 3 years ago for my first colonoscopy, so I already didn't want to do it but knew I needed to. I was advised to take 4 Dulcolax 5mg tablets at 2 pm the day before the procedure and start 40 oz of Miralax/Gatorade at 7 pm, with another 24 oz to follow the next morning at 4 am for an 8 am colonoscopy. I was also on a clear liquid diet all day the day before. I had also cut back to a low/no fiber diet 3 days before the procedure and made sure to drink lots of fluids. I decided after reading these awful reviews to only take 2 Dulcolax and see what happened. I took 2 at 2 pm, and around 6, I had my first bowel movement. Slight cramping but nothing bad. I started drinking at 7 pm and was already running clear after the first drink. I finished the other 4 glasses and was done going by midnight. This was the EASIEST prep, and I honestly believe the low fiber diet and lots of water helped!"

• Pla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

"So I have Crohn’s disease. I have a colonoscopy and upper EDG on Tuesday. I took 5 Dulcolax at 3 pm. I was supposed to take 4, so one extra. At 9 pm, nothing had happened (that was 6 hours later), so I took 2 more. I had chicken broth for dinner that night (Sunday). Here it is, 1 am Monday, so that’s 10 hours from the first 5 pills and nothing. My stomach has been rumbling, and I felt nauseous for like 10 minutes, but that’s it. Waiting on this to really hit me. But I won’t be taking more. Y’all scared me. Lol."

• fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2015

"I was going for my first colonoscopy, and my Split Peg Prep Instructions were to drink 8 glasses of water the day before, then take 4 Dulcolax with water, followed by half the prep and the remaining prep the day of the colonoscopy. The prep drink, although a lot of it, and the colonoscopy were a piece of cake compared to the Dulcolax. Within an hour of taking the Dulcolax, I felt out of it and then really dizzy. Then the hot sweats, followed by cold sweats and shaking, and cramps. Lasted around 4 hours. Never again. I do have to say this is the first time I have ever taken any form of laxative."

• Dot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2020

"I took 4 Dulcolax as directed for colonoscopy prep. In 40 minutes, broke out in cold sweat, became shaky and very sick to my stomach. So sick that I gagged three times. Severe cramping. I am still sick in my stomach and two hours late starting to drink Miralax. Horrible stuff."

• Tut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2017

"I had taken the medication at 10 last night. About 8 this morning, I had severe cramps, nausea, and sweaty. And again at 10, I had a liquid bowel movement, and now at 11, sitting on the toilet, I wanted something for relief, and this isn't a nice relief, more like a killer one, to say the least. Would I recommend it? Ummm, sure, if you like excruciating cramps, constant nausea, and very loose stool."

• MPr...
• October 31, 2016

"I was instructed by the office of my colonoscopy/endoscopy doctor to take 2 at noon and then another 2 at 2 pm on the day before the procedure. Since the manufacturer only recommended 3 as the daily maximum dosage, I just took one at 2 pm. About an hour or so later, I started having severe stomach cramps. The pain was so intense I was soaking in cold sweat, and I blacked out! I will never take Dulcolax ever again!"

• Fre...
• December 16, 2022

"During my prep, I was instructed to take 8 Dulcolax tablets. This was in addition to quantities of other powders. I thought I was dying at 3:30 a.m. (I started prep at 5:00 p.m.) I was still pooping at 6:00 a.m. Was not a pleasant experience."