Dulcolax for Bowel Preparation User Reviews (Page 4)

• Pojen
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2022

"Let me start by saying I was pleasantly surprised. I was dreading my colonoscopy prep which called for 4 Dulcolax the night before at 5p, followed at 6p by drinking a 32oz Miralax-Gatorade mix (then 16oz of clear liquids). The morning of my 2p procedure, I was then to take another 2 Dulcolax at the same time as the 2nd round of the Miralax-Gatorade drink. I am 5'3", 115 lbs. I thought I would be in a world of pain after reading many of these reviews so I modified my intake a bit the 1st night. Instead, I took 2 Dulcolax at 3p and consumed the mix as instructed at 6p. Because I was absolutely fine (yes, it made me go as expected, but no cramping or pain), the next morning I decided to take the other 2 pills at the same time as the prep drink as prescribed and once again I was fine...absolutely no cramping or pain. By the time I got to my appointment, I was completely clean! I did hydrate a ton, ate a low-residue diet of fewer calories and took Miralax for 5 days leading up to it."

• never...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2022

"I had very mild constipation and took 1 Dulcolax - within 20 minutes I had severe nausea, dizziness, cold sweats, weak to the point of passing out, couldn't talk or move. Around 3 years ago I had this exact same reaction to 1 Dulcolax but didn't realize at the time it was due to the Dulcolax. I remembered these exact same symptoms and how severe it was. Its definitely confirmed that this was from the Dulcolax. It took around 2 hours to eventually subside. I have never had a laxative effect me like this but its very scary - will never take Dulcolax again. And BTW have never pooped just got extremely sick to the point of passing out.."

• Nick...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

"I normally don’t comment but this product is getting a bad rep. I used this prep for the colonoscopy and took 20 pills over the time frame of an hour with water as my doctor prescribed. Within two hours the magic began. Some cramps before movement started but certainly not the worst thing to happen. I’m currently home from the hospital after surgery and I’m using Dulcolax to regain normal bowel movements. Don’t be afraid to take this product, it works great for most people. One pill works overnight. Everyone’s body is not the same so start with a low dose. Good luck."

• Great...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2023

"After reading all the bad experience reviews I figured I would share my good experience. Ducolax is strong and it works but can take 10-14 hours at times. The severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, etc mostly happens when you don't drink enough water and Pedialyte or Gatorade to replace or provide electrolytes. You should drink 8-10oz of water per pill taken plus 32+ oz of Pedialyte, plus another 8-10oz per pill taken, and continuously after that until bedtime or you start to eliminate waste. Drink too little water and electrolytes you’re gonna go through excruciating pain. It will be hell. The worse experience ever. Don't take that chance. Don't eat and drink accordingly and your experience will be much better ending in no more constipation and hopefully fully cleaned out. Be prepared to be on the toilet for at least 4-5 hrs. Grab your phone, laptop, iPad, book, games, whatever, and breathe. Relax and it’ll all be over soon. No big deal."

• Grandma
• March 30, 2017

"Having crohn's, I never suffer from constipation, ever. I took 2 dulcolax Wed at midnight as directed for an endoscopy on Friday. Felt lots of gas discomfort within 25 mins. Impossible to sleep! Really painful cramps started by 2:15 am. Turned to extreme cramps every 10-12 minutes. Like hard labour. Severe diarrhea and vomiting for the next 3 hours, nearly passing out thinking I might die with forehead neck & inside elbow crease sweats for hours. By morning I am now passing blood with diarrhea. Cramps 20-30 mins apart. My crohns WAS very good for months. I don't think it's safe for 'some' like 'ME' to take this medication. Pico-Salax should be sufficient for those whose bowels empty very quickly due to faster digestion."

• Cvand...
• July 27, 2018

"After experiencing a crazy amount of lower abdomen pain went in to the doctor he gave me a request for X-ray and X-ray showed lots of stool. I took 1 pill of Dulcolax for women at 6 pm, starting working (by working I mean stomach cramps, nausea, sweats) about two hours after I took it..spent the majority of the night in the bathroom just to have one BM and now the morning after my guts are still rolling"

• Lindsey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2022

"I was instructed to use 2 of the 5mg pills as a part of my colonoscopy prep. I only took one (oops) because I read all of the scary reviews. I had no side effects at all. You need to drink tons of water and electrolytes and take it on an empty stomach and you’ll be fine. It does make you go, obviously as that’s what it is intended for. Overall the experience was fine. I’m all cleaned out."

• the...
• June 23, 2022

"I’ve been taking dulcolax for a long time as needed and have never experienced any of the undesired side effects as stated here. That is until tonight. By far the worst most intensely painful cramps I’ve ever experienced. And I’m a woman who gets pretty bad cramps once a month. I have to say I’ve absolutely shook at how painful this is!!! I’m currently experiencing it. And my legs won’t stop shaking either."

• RC234
• January 26, 2022

"I used Dulcolax for bowel prep before colonoscopy. I was really nervous after reading the stories here. I was instructed to take 2 after a clear breakfast the morning before my colonoscopy then 2 at 3 pm. Because I had to work that day I instead took the first dose at 2 pm and second dose at 4:30.The first dose I didn't drink a lot of water but with the second dose I did. I continued drinking water until I started the miralax mix. I had NO cramping or anything explosive. The experience was much better than I thought it would be. If you use these for colonoscopy prep make sure you drink a lot of water. I drank about 1.5 gallons when I started the Dulcolax before the miralax then about 1 gallon after. This was a breeze and I really couldn't be happier with the results."

• Notag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2022

"Had bowel issues so took 2 dulcolax around 2:45pm then drank plenty water also had some carom seeds (ajwain} a herbel remedy with some water, then laid on bed 2 hours. Suddenly I growling stomach sounds so I knew that tablets were working, then I had urge for the toilet and went sat on it. It was a bit painful then diarrhea later did go once or twice but relief not much. Do drink plenty water if needed in emergency will take it but after (ajwain) carom seeds they may just do the job"

• Manman
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2022

"I was perscribed two pills 36 hours before my colonoscopy and two pills 24 hours before. I took the first pair at 9pm and by 4am I was woken up by EXTREME abdominal pain, I couldn’t stand up, sit down, I was lying down on the bathroom floor in excruciating pain unable to even call for help. This lasted for THREE HOURS before the pain DECREASED, it didn’t go away it just decreased and was still EXTREMELY PAINFUL. I don’t care what the Dr said I’m never taking two again, one would have been more than enough. For context I weigh 64Kg. it was simply too much and the pain was so bad I wasn’t even able to go to the bathroom. Felt like I was dying with my insides being ripped apart from the inside out, living hell. Horrible Experience. Not worth it."

• Canad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2021

"Ok so this is my third attempt at getting a colonoscopy. Had bowel issues all my life.. first 2 times were with a liquid, first in was I giant jug of chalky white stuff.. had such a bad reaction after one glass. Second one was a powder to put into juice, pop, or Gatorade. Again a terrible reaction, made it to the second of three packs before my husband called an ambulance. That was 10 and 5 years ago respectively. The fear of the prep kept me from trying for a long time. But this time I got the dulcolax. 2 every 2 hours from 8am the day before, I was terrified.. but I didn't become sick!! I had very mild nausea, and frequent watery bm's. But no terrible cramps, no vomiting, no need for medical attention! Sorry to everyone who had bad experiences but this is the prep I will recommend to anyone I know."

• Oregon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2021

"I see there is way too much variation in dosage here, from 2 pills X 2 a day before colonoscopy prep to 5X3 Times! My instructions were 4 the day before plus 4 more on day of procedure, even though is was only 3-4 hours before. The morning prep did nothing but continue my diarrhea for 12 hours AFTER The procedure, a big waste, pun intended. These high dose instructions seem to be for the most constipated denominator of patients, and serve the docs and nurses only. They wouldn't let me change the dosage when I asked. I want to give this a 1, but gave a 3 because, well, it works!"

• jruss...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2021

"I have IBS-D so when I did my colonoscopy prep I was very nervous about taking 4 dulcolax and then the 64 oz of miralax solution. I wasn't going to take the 4 pills after reading all these reviews, but I decided to listen to my doctor. I did not experience any of the symptoms everyone is putting on this forum. No cramps or pain, just that feeling of having to go to the bathroom, quickly. I ate lightly 2 days before the prep and made sure I had bowel movements on those days. So when it came time for the the prep day, I felt that I didn't have a "load" in my intestines and colon. After 4 pills and 32 oz of gatorade/miralax I was cleaned out. I started taking the second half of gatorade at 2:30 am, but could only get 1 glass down due to feeling bloated and full, plus I was still going to the bathroom after taking the first half and had to travel 20 miles to get to the hospital. Didn't want to have an accident on the way. Colon was clean."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2021

"I took 2 tablets at 9am as instructed for colonoscopy prep. By 11:30am I was in extreme agony with excruciatingly painful abdominal cramps. I sat on the toilet thinking that I had to have a bowel movement, only a tiny amount came out. Cramps continued with a vengeance as well as nausea and extreme sweating. Finally after an hour, an explosion of very liquid diarrhea which has continued every 15 minutes since. It's now been 1 -1/2 hrs since the cramps began and they seem to be easing slightly. I have to do this again tomorrow according to the instructions on the bowel prep sheet. Can't wait!"

• Ruzz
• August 12, 2009

"It's the best thing for me. It works few hours after taking the pill. I did not experience any of the side effects. It is a great way for someone who is really constipated to get relief fast."

• Tom
• April 10, 2017

"Have been feeling backed up. I'm a big guy so I took 4 pills about 7:45 this evening. After reading these testimonials, I now realize I have made a mistake."

• Arie
• March 25, 2015

"I took it and I just feel awful pain and like my back is in pain and I just wanted to throw up but the pain was so intense I couldn't breathe."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2023

"This medicine is great. Perfect to use before a Colonoscopy. you get some cramps off and on for like maybe a few hours, but it's no big deal. It was not that bad at all."

• Kathy
• April 12, 2021

"Severe vomiting within 4 hours of starting prep. Cancelled procedure. Never again."

• Mchala
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2014

"Yes it works but I wake up with my stomach in PAIN and I feel nauseous! I've only taken this 2 times and each time it has happened."

• Sus
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2019

"Very bad experience too much pain. Ended up in ER"

• Nick...
• May 4, 2019

"Hey guys! You want to know how it feels to detox off heroin for a night? Boom this stuff here but you will feel better in a day or so!"

• Karyy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2016

"Severe cramping and nauseous after I was took 2 pills at 7:50 pm woke up at 3:00 am with stomach burning sensation and throwing up &' after I use the restroom"

• tom12...
• May 25, 2016

"Works good for me without side efects , I took 3 at noon , after 4 hours I had movments"