Dulcolax and Severe Pain: What Users Say

• Dru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2021

For Constipation "I feel like my experience would be different to someone who only suffers from occasional constipation. I unfortunately get constipated to the point I can’t remember the last time I had a bowel movement. Dulcolax works for me but it is the most intense painful experience EVERY single time. And yes, I have used it more than once because clearly I have a death wish. Within 2 hours, the cramps start. The type of cramps where you can’t lay down, but also you can’t sit up straight because they are ripping apart your insides. By morning, I am awake at 7 am unable to sleep because of cramps. It usually takes 2 hours of excruciating pain to be able to actually go to the bathroom, and after that, you’re running to the toilet once an hour quite a few times. Fun fact: 24 hours after I took this stuff, I trusted a fart and crapped my pants :) so taking this is not a fun time, but everyone’s experience is different. Just ... don’t trust your farts for a while."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "DO NOT TAKE DULCOLAX!!! This pill does the job, but be prepared for excruciating pain. A week ago, I took two pills because I was backed up for 5 days, and it was the worst experience of my life! I took this at night, and around 7 am, I woke up to terribly bad cramps. This went on for like 30 minutes, and I decided to go to the bathroom. Thank god I did because it came out like a water hose, and I almost threw up. This lasted the entire day! When I finally thought it was over, I ate literally just a piece/crumb of bread, and I had to run to the bathroom again. I went on my phone to see reviews about this product, and I was so disappointed in myself for not reading the comments before I took this. I cannot imagine this pill being given to a child. Please do not give this pill to your child!"

• Yea...
• November 7, 2014

For Constipation "It works, but do not take three! I woke up out of dead sleep three hours after ingesting with SEVERE pain. I have irritable bowel syndrome with internal hemorrhoids, so constipation happens often and always hurts. I took three, thinking because I'm almost never regular and my last movement was over a week ago, three would probably work best. I ended up pooping, but also had a heavy vomiting episode at the same time. Take two at most, do not take three!"

• Nao...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2019

For Constipation "First of all, if this is your first time using Dulcolax, do not take more than one unless you have a death wish. I took one pill at 9 PM before bed and slept through the night with no issues. By 9 AM, nothing had happened, so I made the choice to take another. Don't make that mistake. By 12:50 PM, I was in agony, slumped on the toilet with sweat dripping down my face. I had the shakes and was genuinely very close to dialing 999. Nothing came out after 10 minutes or so, so I went to leave the bathroom just so my colleagues knew I was still alive. As soon as I stood up, it felt like a volcano had just erupted in my bowels. The contractions willed the hard stool and what felt like tap water straight out of me. I was just a mere passenger. I have been to the toilet twice since, and it is still the consistency of water. At the end of the day, it worked exactly as it should. Just be patient."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2013

For Constipation "I took 2 Dulcolax for mild constipation, and 5 hours later was hit with severe abdominal pain and sweating for about 45 minutes. It was the first time that I had used this. I was about to leave for the emergency room, and it subsided. My daughter read some reviews on Dulcolax and found that several people were affected in this way. I would definitely stay away from this product. It did relieve the constipation this morning."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2020

For Constipation "I suffer from IBS. I was recommended by a friend to use Dulcolax when I have severe constipation as it works amazingly and completely unblocks. I took the medication at 10:30 PM. I woke up at 4:30 AM in excruciating pain with my stomach, could barely walk to the toilet. Once sitting on the toilet, I had extremely loose stools for around 2 hours (non-stop). These do definitely work, but the side effects can be awful and cause you a rubbish night's sleep."

• Cas...
• December 4, 2020

For Constipation "My doctor told me to take 2 Dulcolax in the evening because she believed that my urgency to pass urine was due to constipation pressing on my bladder. I took 1 pill at 8 PM. It is supposed to work in 6 to 12 hours, but in my case, it worked in 4 hours. Shortly after falling asleep, I woke up with horrific sweating, cramping, and abdominal pain. I felt shaky and sick, but most of all in agony. The agony lasted for 2 and a half hours without pause until at 2:30 AM in the morning, I passed a normal bowel movement. I then endured 30 minutes more of excruciating stomach spasms resulting in explosive and watery diarrhea. The pain eased away after another hour, leaving me feeling nauseated for another 2 hours. I felt ill, exhausted, and unable to sleep. I will never be taking them again."

• Sam...
• August 11, 2014

"A friend recommended, so I thought I would give it a try. She never mentioned severe pain. Just that your stomach hurts a bit because that means it's working. I took 3 pills around 9:30 PM, and at 11:30 PM, the severe cramping began. I also became extremely nauseous. I was doubled over in pain, it was so painful I had no idea what to do with myself. On a scale from 1 to 10, the cramping was a 12! It did do its job, but the severe pain is not worth it at all."

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

For Bowel Preparation "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."

• Car...
• December 29, 2016

For Constipation "This product does what it says with terrible pain! First off... I would never recommend this product to someone who experiences IBS like myself. Seems that the posts praising Dulcolax are from people who have only had LIGHT constipation discomfort. I now understand the 'near death experience' that Dulcolax is. If you ever experienced true food poisoning that leaves you expelling from both ends simultaneously, this is exactly like that! Cold sweats, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting accompanied by the worst cramps of life. I mean I can actually say I thought I'd need an ER visit, and if you've tried this and lived to tell the tale, YOU KNOW! I would absolutely recommend taking this on the first day of your weekend with zero plans!"

• Seb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Constipation "My 8th day without a BM today, so after leaving work early this morning, as struggling with a horrid cough and cold, I thought I’d take advantage of not being able to go anywhere and decided to take 2 Dulcolax. This was at midday. By 19:47, to be precise, I was in a little pain from cramps but finally had my first sense of relief, and my goodness, it felt great. Just like they say, “gentle relief,” and I instantly felt great. Back to bed I went with my box of tissues for my cold! Then, less than 10 minutes later, I was doubled over in absolute agony and feeling nauseous. I was then stuck on the toilet for around 25 minutes, wondering if I was going to throw up whilst not being able to sit up properly due to the pain but having to so as not to poop up the walls. Definitely not gentle, the pain is the worst I’ve ever experienced, and I do not recommend it to my worst enemy!"

• Ton...
• January 28, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "This laxative needs to be taken off the market. I took it at 6 PM on a Saturday. By 10 PM, I had terrible pain in my stomach. I felt nauseated and just miserable. By 11 PM, I was on the toilet, pooping water. That lasted off and on until about 1 AM. I felt better for a few hours, but then the pain came back with a vengeance!!! Omg. Off and on all day Sunday, I was in unbearable pain. I ended up taking a pain pill to stop the pain. My girlfriend threw every single one of those pills out!! I’m done with Dulcolax for life..."

• Ton...
• January 28, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "This laxative needs to be taken off the market. I took it at 6 PM on a Saturday. By 10 PM, I had terrible pain in my stomach. I felt nauseated and just miserable. By 11 PM, I was on the toilet, pooping water. That lasted off and on until about 1 AM. I felt better for a few hours, but then the pain came back with a vengeance!!! Omg. Off and on all day Sunday, I was in unbearable pain. I ended up taking a pain pill to stop the pain. My girlfriend threw every single one of those pills out!! I’m done with Dulcolax for life..."

• Lad...
• September 2, 2016

For Constipation "This medicine is very effective. I use it regularly. I take two before bed with lots of water and usually wake up to a BM. Just make sure you don't leave the house. Last night I took two, and by 10 AM I still hadn't had a BM, so just thought it hadn't worked. Got in the car with friends, started driving to the beach. Half an hour in, I got excruciating pains, doubled over in the car, nausea. No services, so my friends had to pull over the car and watch me run to the side of the road, hoist up my dress, and make a huge mess at the side of the road. This happened four times on the journey before I was finally done. Never been so humiliated in all my life."

• A94...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Constipation "Wow, do not take this drug. I have put it straight in the bin, as I stupidly didn’t find this page until it was too late. Took it at 6 PM, as it said light relief at nighttime. I was woken up at 12 AM with chronic pains and cramps - I have not given birth, so this was the worst pain I’d ever experienced in that area. Still couldn’t pass stools. Cramping and lack of sleep continued, and I’m still here with horrific pain and no relief."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2020

"So my mum, like many old people, said she had taken these as she hadn’t been for a while! She took 2. Hours later, she had severe abdominal pain, floods of water, dizzy, sick, couldn’t get out of bed the next day. That evening, she experienced intense heat in her head, bright red face and ears! Blood in urine, we are now waiting for the doc to call. DON'T TAKE THESE."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

For Constipation "I took 2 Dulcolax before bed after being constipated for a few days. I awoke about 5 hours later with tummy pain, which worsened to extreme pain like contractions. I made it to the toilet, and it definitely worked, and I feel like it cleaned me out real good, but I wasn’t expecting that level of pain. I came here to see if anyone else had experienced similar extreme pain, and it seems common. I wouldn’t buy this product again, but I guess I’ll keep Dulcolax in the cupboard to use if I’m desperate."

• Ano...
• October 29, 2017

For Constipation "I have taken this medication a few times and have had different experiences with it every time, from stabbing pains, cramping, and nausea, to the last time with almost no symptoms at all. I think the main difference is in the preparation-I would never take more than one of these pills at a time (two were way too much). Furthermore, for minimal symptoms, I take it around 7:00 PM, drink four glasses of water (at least), and go to bed around 9:00 PM. I wake up at 6:00 AM, and have a bit softer than normal BM. Make sure you are well hydrated when you take this product. With the good experience I had, I hadn't eaten since 6:00 PM and was well hydrated before bed."

• Dis...
• May 23, 2023

For Constipation "Well, I don't think this product is safe to sell. I took one tablet on Friday night, then two on Saturday night, and on Sunday, I couldn't move. I was writhing in excruciating pain. I've had three children, and even that was a better experience than this. The pain was unbearable, and I looked like death. I spent the entire day on Sunday in agony, but there was no relief. Monday and Tuesday were no better, as I couldn't stop going to the toilet and the pain made me feel sick. I didn't know which way to turn. Luckily, our bathroom sink faces the toilet! I strongly advise against taking this product. It will make you lose two days of your life and leave you feeling terrible. It shouldn't be on the shelf! If I could rate it, I would give it minus 10!"

• Dis...
• May 23, 2023

For Constipation "Well, I don't think this product is safe to sell. I took one tablet on Friday night, then two on Saturday night, and on Sunday, I couldn't move. I was writhing in excruciating pain. I've had three children, and even that was a better experience than this. The pain was unbearable, and I looked like death. I spent the entire day on Sunday in agony, but there was no relief. Monday and Tuesday were no better, as I couldn't stop going to the toilet and the pain made me feel sick. I didn't know which way to turn. Luckily, our bathroom sink faces the toilet! I strongly advise against taking this product. It will make you lose two days of your life and leave you feeling terrible. It shouldn't be on the shelf! If I could rate it, I would give it minus 10!"

• Cls...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2018

For Constipation "I cannot believe this product is available over the counter! I’d been having a few days without a bowel movement, which is very unusual for me. So I thought I’d try a laxative to get things moving... I took 1 pill at 10:30 PM and woke at 3 AM with severe stomach cramps. I sat there for a while trying to go, but it took a good hour for any motion. I was sweating, felt sick, felt like my bowel was going to fall out, in excruciating pain, and felt I was going to need to call an ambulance. I eventually did have a bowel movement but am laying in bed an hour later still shaking from the pain and scared to sleep in case the cramps worsen again. It was one of the worst experiences of my life! Stay away!"

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Constipation "I took one Dulcolax because I had constipation for the first time in my life. I saw them in the store and bought them. I do not have a very sensitive stomach, I can eat foreign or weird food without ever getting sick, but these things literally had me down for a whole night to the point that I was in extreme pain, cramping, crying, with liquid poo. Don’t buy these. DO NOT BUY THESE."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2021

For Constipation "So first time using this yesterday; I hadn't had a proper bowel movement in almost a week. I took Movacol religiously as a kid, so I assumed two little pills couldn't even budge, but what the heck. HOW WRONG I WAS!!! I took them at 6:30 PM, and by 11 PM I was dripping with sweat & in excruciating pain (I'd always dealt with cramps, but this was a whole new level of pain). I was having severe contractions and tummy rumbles with no signs of movement for hours. Lots of puking and going from couch to floor to try and get comfortable. I got my partner to call the ambulance, as I was convinced I'd ruptured an organ or something ridiculous. The pain subsided, and I called the ambo off and went to sleep, woke up at 4 AM and my butt was a literal tap, no more cramps though! Will be throwing this out; this should be prescription only AT LEAST! Also, pro tip for cramps: sit in child's pose and hug a pillow that's folded in half. Or sit under a hot shower, only two things that stopped the pain."

• Ice...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 6, 2016

For Constipation "I've been taking Dulcolax for years now. Like everyone else, I usually take two or three sometimes, depending on how badly puffy I feel that day. I also had severe abdominal pain that made me want to curl up in the fetal position. A good trick to this horrible pain is having an ice pack handy in your fridge. The moment I wake up with this pain (even though I don't always feel it), I rush to grab my ice pack (my first time was frozen peas, lol) and placed it right on my abdomen and soothed the pain down until I was able to let my bowel movement loose. I sat on the toilet with the ice pack directly in contact where I felt pain. It works for me, and I hope it will work for you. Constipation is no fun, but relief is!"

• Jim...
• July 10, 2021

For Constipation "Worst experience after two tablets taken at 11 a.m. Pain in stomach started about 8 p.m. with sharp pain and felt like you were having entrails pulled out. The pains came in waves every few minutes. I have a spinal cord injury, which means I can't do a poop normally anyway and have to use digital evacuation with gloves, this exacerbated the problem as I couldn't pass hard stool. Tried about five times on the loo. Gave up, had a fitful sleep, then went this morning. It did work, but never want that agony again. I should've taken one. Next time I'll try Senokot or something else and maybe suffer the constipation a bit longer."