Dulcolax and Vomiting: What Users Say

• ANB...
• July 8, 2021

For Constipation "Never using this stuff again! This stuff is awful! I wish I read the reviews before taking this. So here’s my story: I can never poop, I’m lucky if I go twice a month, and I had enough and wanted relief. I tried Miralax and Benefiber, and neither worked, so I decided to try Dulcolax. I took 2 of these teeny tiny bombs at 9 pm, woke up at about 4 am having the worst cramps ever, felt like I was in labor. It lasted all up until 7 am, and I got up to try to poop, I couldn’t even push because I was hurting so bad. Then finally it all fell out: complete diarrhea. At the same time, I got super nauseous and threw up. I got super hot and clammy, got super dizzy, and saw stars. I actually passed out on the bathroom floor mid crapping. I couldn’t get up, I was so weak and everything was spinning. For the entire day, I had diarrhea every hour or so, it wouldn’t stop. I had to call into work, I was so sick. I could barely eat anything. I then got a raging migraine from it all."

• Pho...
• February 7, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "My bowel prep instructions for my procedure said to take 4 Dulcolax pills. Within an hour, I started vomiting, sweating, and muscles in arms and legs were twitching. Then, about 30 minutes into this nightmare, I started shooting yellow liquid out my butt nonstop. This was before I even started drinking the 64 oz of the other concoction I was prescribed. I had to crawl on the floor. My dog was traumatized and howling because he was so worried. It took 3 hours for the nausea, vomiting, and volcano to slow enough for me to start drinking the liquid prep solution. I’ve been up all night, shooting liquid. When I get to the colonoscopy center this morning, I’m telling the doctor she prescribed way too much. I’m a small person with no history of bowel problems. Last night was worse than food poisoning or any illness I’ve ever had. Never again!"

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2020

For Constipation "Took 2 pills and woke up about 3 hours later in excruciating pain! It felt like someone was stabbing me in the stomach and twisting the knife. I probably did more vomiting than number two. Cold sweats, confusion, and profuse pain. I just wanted to pass out to get some type of relief! At one point the pain had gotten so bad I asked Jesus to come take me out of my misery. There is no way that stuff should still be on the market."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2021

For Constipation "I was constipated, so I took 2 Dulcolax Saturday night. I started having diarrhea and lots of blood with it. That continued for 36 hours. Lots of stomach cramping and vomiting. I thought it was the end of me. The cramping was exactly like childbirth. I would suggest to anyone reading this review to NOT buy Dulcolax. It is just so bad and should be taken off the market. I was within hours of having to go to the ER. This product is literally toxic to a human being's system."

• JJa...
• May 17, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I had to take 4 Dulcolax for colonoscopy prep. 2 hours after taking, I had severe cramps and vomiting. No bowel movements. I have had colonoscopies before, never using Dulcolax, and had no problems. Will NEVER use Dulcolax again!"

• Tam...
• December 12, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I've had constipation for years. I started two nights before the colonoscopy. Monday night I took 2 Dulcolax, and about 7:30 Tuesday morning I could feel it was time. It started easy and went to more liquid. 4 or 5 trips. Then, about 3:00 on Tuesday, I started the Miralax drink. It started to work in about an hour. By nighttime, I was just about finished. Directions had me drink more, but I had one more glass and had to get back to the bathroom about 4:00 am. I was still passing just a little water when I got to the hospital. This was the easiest prep I have ever had. Usually, drinking all that stuff makes me nauseous and vomit. I think you have to find what works for you and stick with it. Don't let the doctor have you try all this other stuff. This works for me, and usually, I'm pretty sensitive. I would never take more than 2. I had no cramps at any time."

• App...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I took Dulcolax as directed for the colonoscopy preparation. It was a horrendous experience. I vomited and had blasts of diarrhea. In addition, I suffered from excruciating stomach pain. I will not take Dulcolax again!"

• 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!"

• Dul...
• January 7, 2021

For Constipation "Do not use this product in its liquid form. 1 hr after taking the minimum dose, it happened. Good. Four hours later, it feels like I have been in hard labor, on the side of the interstate, with dust and sharp glass being blown against me. The pain is causing me to hallucinate. I am dry heaving into the shower. Please make this stop. DULCA-DON'T!!"

• Lad...
• June 9, 2020

For Constipation "So the dosage says to take 1-3 pills for a single daily dose, so I took 3 and prayed for the best because I’m going on a beach trip. I’ve literally been either on the floor in my own vomit or curled up in bed with cramps so bad I want to go to the emergency room. This is TERRIBLE. Don’t buy!"

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2011

For Constipation "Within 8 hours of taking 2 tablets, I experienced uncontrollable sweating, body shakes, vomiting, and stomach cramps accompanied by loose bowel movements. Although technically this medication relieved my constipation, I nearly ended up in the emergency room. 24 hours later, I still have lower back pain, cramps, and am unable to keep food down. Please do not take this medication lightly!"

• Nik...
• November 26, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "DO NOT TAKE!! Tonight was my first time taking a laxative, and I happened upon Dulcolax. I woke up at 2 AM with the worst stomach cramps of my entire life. Spent two hours puking/dry heaving, bawling my eyes out, my whole body tingling and blood red, and sweating profusely while butt naked on the toilet. I seriously almost called 911. I really thought I was dying. I would much rather go through labor again than ever feel like this. Will NEVER take this again!!!"

• Nik...
• November 26, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "DO NOT TAKE!! Tonight was my first time taking a laxative, and I happened upon Dulcolax. I woke up at 2 AM with the worst stomach cramps of my entire life. Spent two hours puking/dry heaving, bawling my eyes out, my whole body tingling and blood red, and sweating profusely while butt naked on the toilet. I seriously almost called 911. I really thought I was dying. I would much rather go through labor again than ever feel like this. Will NEVER take this again!!!"

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

For Constipation "I had not had a bowel movement for a couple of days, so I decided to try Dulcolax. I took 2 tabs around 6 PM and went on with my usual routine, which included exercise, lots of water, and a bath. I went to bed around 9 PM and woke at 12:30 AM with intense stomach cramps. The pain was almost equivalent to the time I gave birth with no pain meds. This pain went on for a couple of hours. I was sweaty and laying on the bathroom floor naked when my husband found me. He helped me to the toilet where I finally went to the bathroom. It was pure liquid. This went on for several minutes. I also ended up throwing up several times. I was so sick I had to call into work. After 24 hours, I was still weak and could not eat much. I will NEVER take this product again!!!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2020

For Constipation "Drink plenty of water!! You have to be very well hydrated with this laxative, otherwise, you will experience severe cramping, nausea, and vomiting. My very first time taking it, maybe 4 years ago, I thought I would finish my life in my bathroom. This time, I read reviews, and I hydrated with fruit and water all day before taking it at 6:30 PM. Because I hadn’t gone in almost 7 days, it didn’t kick in until 4:30 PM the next day. I still had some cramping, but not nearly as painful as my first experience."

• jjt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2019

For Constipation "I have suffered with chronic constipation my entire life. I have had scope tests, tried all the things I read about and what the doctor says, but after a while everything stops working and I have to take a store-bought laxative. I bought Dulcolax for women because it said GENTLE overnight dependable relief. What a crock. This product almost killed me. At 11 PM I took 2 little pills. By 2 AM the cramps started, by 4 AM the pain was getting severe and I was up every 20 minutes. By 6 AM I was vomiting and the pain was excruciating, by 8 AM I had to call for my husband because I was sweating profusely, my skin felt clammy, my legs were tingling and my head started to spin like I was going to pass out. The pain just kept getting worse. I was a full 36 hours in sheer agony. It did move my bowels, but at this cost, it is not worth it. I actually thought at one point that I was going to die. This product is dangerous and should not be sold to anyone."

• Hib...
• September 8, 2014

For Constipation "If you want to experience your guts evacuating your butt, this is the medicine for you. 100% effective at relieving constipation. But in my experience, in no way worth the agony I encountered through the night, as well as a massive bout of vomiting. I am good when it comes to pain, and this was like nothing I have ever encountered. I would rather have a month of Sundays' worth of constipation than take this again."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2019

For Constipation "Took Dulcolax to help with constipation. BIG mistake. Took one pill last night for the first time at 10 PM and woke up at 9 AM with some major cramps. My bowels exploded, and everything came out, but during this catharsis, my vision began to fade, and I realized I was about to pass out, but my inner conscious was like 'there's no way I'm passing out while pooping,' and I quickly wiped and redressed, only to start dry heaving when I got up. Grey specks covered my vision, and my ability to hear was fading. I fell against the wall, and luckily my mom was there to help me before I blacked out. It's been 4 hours since, and my bowels are still contracting. Dear God, pray you, do not take this pill unless it's entirely necessary. If I could go back, I would take Miralax and avoid the rectal turmoil that has ensued."

• Rae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2020

For Constipation "Took 2 Dulcolax tablets at 8 PM for relief. Got no relief at all. Relief I actually survived the ordeal. By 3 AM, I thought I was going to vomit. Cramps so incredibly strong. Nothing happened. Laid on the bathroom floor covered in cold sweat. Could not move, even to sit on the toilet was risky as I was extremely faint and lightheaded. Finally had a release. Thought my whole insides ended outside. Thought that had to be all, but no, another 3 hours of incredible pain, cramps, and sweats. Ended up sleeping on the bathroom floor to cool down. Two days later, and I can’t seem to eat without getting massive pain in my stomach area. Have a recurring cramping nearly every 30 minutes that has me hunched over in pain. If it doesn’t stop tomorrow, I will need to see the doctor. Hopefully not a twisted bowel due to tablets."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2021

For Constipation "OMG. Save yourself. Do the enema. Holy smokes. My diet was off, and I knew it. After the 3rd day, I figured I better do something. My abdomen was huge. I'm not a big guy and don't take meds of any kind willingly, so when it said I could take 1 to 3 of these tiny time bombs, I opted for 1. ONE. The cramps started about 6 hours later. Got me out of bed. I spent the next 2 hours doubled over in pain so high I vomited. No joke! Both figuratively and truthfully. No BM yet. I figured if it hurt that bad, I must have a real problem. Bowel obstruction? Cancer? I thought I was dying. I lay on the bathroom floor in a cold sweat, only getting up to vomit or try to crap. Once it finally happened, it took 3 days to be over. My body kept trying to turn my anus inside out. Poor butt bled for 24 hours. My stomach still isn't right 4 days later. Save your booty! Don't do it! Anything but Dulcolax... that part on the box that says 'Gentle, dependable relief,' there ain't nothing GENTLE about it!! POOPERS BEWARE!!"

• s3n...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2019

For Constipation "I use this awful drug because I have a paralyzed bowel from a tethered spinal cord. I would not recommend this to anyone who is experiencing just occasional constipation. This stuff is intense, and if you don't feel like canceling all plans for the day and being on the toilet for hours, then this ain't it, chief. Extreme cramping, vomiting, fainting, you name it. I'm the type of person that goes hard and takes the full dose (3 pills). Let me tell you, don't do that unless you want to be writhing on the ground contemplating if you are dying. Overall, the only positive thing about this medication is after hours of intense pain, all hell breaks loose, you see the sunrise on the horizon, a choir of angels starts to sing, and you feel 20 pounds lighter. You get the picture."

• KBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

For Constipation "This product made me miserable. I took it at around 6 p.m., and by 1 a.m., I was bound to my bathroom. I was awoken at 12 a.m. by horrendous cramping and very loud stomach gurgling. I then proceeded to vomit twice and have liquid diarrhea for the next few hours. Good thing I don’t have anything to do the next day. Did it work? Absolutely. Will I ever take it again? Absolutely not."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "So I’m the past I have taken many different laxative brands. I used to abuse them in the past, so I know that cramped up and knotted feeling. But it’s been years since I did that. Anyway, I just recently got surgery and haven’t been using the restroom barely at all from all the pain meds. So my mom gave me these to try. She said take 2-3. So around 8 PM I decided I would take 3. By 11 PM I was done for. The worst stomach cramps had started. Those were coming in like contractions, and I began throwing up almost every 5-8 minutes for two hours. I also was going poop quite often, and once I had nothing left to throw up, I had a lot of diarrhea. I would not recommend these. A laxative should not have you in that much pain and vomiting. Also, it’s now the next day, and I’m exhausted, probably dehydrated, and my stomach is still having minor pains and bowel movements."

• Lau...
• February 2, 2020

For Constipation "I took 3 Dulcolax pills at 11:00 AM, and by 1:00 PM, I was in such excruciating pain that I truly thought I was going to pass out. Abdominal cramping and stabbing that reached from my lower back up to my esophagus. The pain stayed at that level for one solid hour. Then some relief, then another wave of level-11 pain hit, which this time caused me to throw up. It certainly worked as far as clearing me out, but the pain was...the worst. I kept expecting to see blood because surely this couldn't be normal; something had to have gone wrong. But, no blood - I believe this is just how the product works. Granted, it was my first time using it, and I had only been constipated for 2 days, so I probably should have started with a lesser dose. But the package says adults and children 12 years and over should take 1-3 pills. I figured if 3 pills were fine for a 12-year-old, I'd certainly be fine as a 35-year-old woman. I was wrong."

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

For Bowel Preparation "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."