Comprehensive medication guide to Dulcolax including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Bisacodyl is an OTC medication not typically covered by commercial insurance or Medicare Part D. Medicaid may cover it with a prescription at $0–$5 copay. FSA/HSA eligible without a prescription under the CARES Act of 2020.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$2–$8 retail for generic bisacodyl tablets (5 mg, 25–100 count); $6–$15 for suppositories. As low as $4 with a GoodRx coupon. Dulcolax brand costs $8–$20 at retail for the same active ingredient.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Dulcolax is the brand name for bisacodyl, a stimulant laxative that has been used clinically since the 1950s. It belongs to the diphenylmethane chemical family and is available over the counter without a prescription in the United States. Most people recognize bisacodyl by its most well-known brand name, Dulcolax, though it is also sold as Correctol, Fleet Bisacodyl, Bisac-Evac, Ex-Lax Ultra, and numerous store-brand generics at pharmacies nationwide.
Dulcolax is primarily used for the temporary relief of occasional constipation and for bowel cleansing before colonoscopies and surgical procedures. It is available as 5 mg delayed-release oral tablets, 10 mg rectal suppositories, and 10 mg rectal enemas. It is not a controlled substance and does not require a prescription.
Off-label uses include neurogenic bowel management in patients with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, opioid-induced constipation, and post-surgical bowel management protocols.
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Dulcolax (bisacodyl) is classified as a stimulant laxative. It works through two simultaneous mechanisms: first, it stimulates nerve endings in the lining of the large intestine, triggering stronger and more frequent peristaltic contractions that push stool toward the rectum; second, it prevents the colon from absorbing water from stool, keeping it softer and easier to pass.
Oral tablets are coated with an enteric coating that only dissolves in the alkaline environment of the small intestine, not in the acidic stomach. This protects the stomach from irritation and explains the 6–12 hour onset time for tablets — the drug must travel through the digestive system before acting on the colon. Suppositories work much faster (15–60 minutes) because bisacodyl is absorbed directly through the rectal mucosa and acts on the lower colon immediately.
The active metabolite, BHPM (bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane), has very low systemic absorption — plasma concentrations remain low even after 10 mg daily for 7 days. This localized action in the colon is one reason bisacodyl is generally well tolerated for short-term use.
5 mg — delayed-release oral tablet
Standard adult dose: 1-3 tablets (5-15 mg) at bedtime. Children 6-11: 1 tablet (5 mg) daily.
10 mg — rectal suppository
Adult dose: 1 suppository rectally once daily as needed. Works in 15-60 minutes.
10 mg — rectal enema
Adult dose: contents of 1 bottle rectally once daily. Fastest onset: 5-20 minutes.
Dulcolax oral tablets (bisacodyl 5 mg) are among the most widely available OTC medications in the U.S. — you can find them at virtually any pharmacy, grocery store, or big-box retailer without issue. The generic equivalent (store-brand bisacodyl) is even more reliably stocked.
Bisacodyl suppositories (10 mg) tell a different story. Following G&W Laboratories' exit from the suppository market, the number of manufacturers has decreased, and intermittent spot shortages at chain pharmacies have been reported throughout 2025 and 2026. If you need suppositories, independent pharmacies, grocery store pharmacies, and online retailers (Amazon, Walmart.com) typically have better availability than chain locations.
For the most efficient way to find Dulcolax near you, medfinder calls pharmacies in your area on your behalf to check which ones have it in stock, then texts you the results — no hold music, no wasted trips.
Dulcolax (bisacodyl) is available over the counter without a prescription, so technically no prescriber is needed. However, a written prescription may be beneficial for Medicaid coverage, GoodRx coupon access, or documentation for chronic use. Since bisacodyl is not a controlled substance, any licensed prescriber can write a prescription for it.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) and family medicine doctors
Gastroenterologists (especially for colonoscopy prep and chronic GI conditions)
Neurologists and physiatrists (for neurogenic bowel management)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Palliative care and oncology providers (for opioid-induced constipation)
Because bisacodyl is not controlled, it can be prescribed via telehealth without any in-person visit requirement. Telehealth platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, and Amazon Clinic can prescribe it during a quick virtual visit — convenient for patients who need a prescription for coverage purposes.
No. Dulcolax (bisacodyl) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can be purchased at any pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer without a prescription. There are no refill restrictions, no prescription requirements, and no special monitoring requirements for bisacodyl.
While bisacodyl can be misused (laxative misuse is associated with eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa), it is not classified as a controlled substance from a regulatory standpoint. Patients using bisacodyl regularly for a medical reason may benefit from provider oversight, but there are no legal prescribing restrictions.
Common side effects occurring in more than 5% of patients:
Abdominal cramps and discomfort
Diarrhea (particularly at higher doses)
Nausea
Faintness or light-headedness
Rectal burning or irritation (with suppositories)
Serious side effects — stop use and contact your doctor:
Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
Severe abdominal pain (may indicate obstruction or appendicitis)
Electrolyte imbalance symptoms: muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, extreme thirst (with long-term use)
Laxative dependence (with chronic daily use beyond 7 days)
Severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing
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Senna (Senokot, Ex-Lax)
Another stimulant laxative with similar 6-12 hour onset when taken orally. Most direct like-for-like substitute for Dulcolax tablets.
MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350)
Osmotic laxative. Gentler, less cramping, takes 1-3 days. Best for patients who cannot tolerate stimulant laxatives.
Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)
Saline laxative. Faster onset (30 min-6 hr) than oral bisacodyl. Good OTC option if faster relief is needed.
Docusate sodium (Colace)
Stool softener rather than stimulant laxative. Best for prevention, not acute relief. Often combined with senna.
Psyllium (Metamucil)
Bulk-forming fiber supplement. Best for managing chronic constipation over time with daily use.
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Antacids (Tums, Maalox, Rolaids)
moderateDissolves enteric coating of bisacodyl tablets prematurely. Avoid within 1 hour of bisacodyl.
Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, pantoprazole)
moderateReduces stomach acid, potentially dissolving enteric coating early. Separate doses by at least 1 hour.
H2 blockers (famotidine, ranitidine)
moderateSame mechanism as PPIs — can dissolve enteric coating prematurely. Separate doses by 1 hour.
Dairy products (milk, yogurt)
moderateRaises gastric pH, dissolving enteric coating in stomach. Do not consume within 1 hour of bisacodyl tablets.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
moderateBisacodyl interferes with digoxin absorption, reducing serum levels. Monitor closely in patients on digoxin.
Diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
moderateAdditive hypokalemia risk with regular bisacodyl use. Monitor potassium in patients on loop or thiazide diuretics.
Sodium sulfate bowel prep solutions (Suprep, Clenpiq)
majorIncreased risk of mucosal ulceration or ischemic colitis. Avoid concurrent use.
Corticosteroids (prednisone, deflazacort)
moderateAdditive hypokalemia risk. Use caution with regular bisacodyl use in patients on chronic steroids.
Dulcolax (bisacodyl) is one of the most well-established and effective OTC laxatives available, with over 70 years of clinical use behind it. For occasional constipation, it works reliably and quickly. For colonoscopy prep, it is a trusted component of standard protocols used by gastroenterologists nationwide.
If you're paying the brand-name Dulcolax price, switching to the generic bisacodyl is the single easiest way to save money — the products are identical. If suppositories are hard to find at your chain pharmacy, independent pharmacies and online retailers are your best bet. And if you're ever managing neurogenic bowel or chronic opioid use, make sure your provider has documented your bisacodyl use for potential Medicaid coverage.
If you're struggling to find Dulcolax or bisacodyl suppositories at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help — we call pharmacies near you to check which ones have it in stock and text you the results.
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