Variations of Fleets.

Is one of the types more effective than the other? Saline,Bisacodyl,Mineral Oil, or the extra version?

For me, the Fleet bisacodyl enemas are the most effective. It is the same dosage of bisacodyl (10 mg.) as a Dulcolax suppository. However, it acts much faster than the suppository because there is no need for it to melt to release the active ingredient. A Fleet bisacodyl usually induces a thorough bm for me in 8 to 12 minutes. The key to success is to hold it in as long as possible.

You could say that I have had a 50+ years history with Fleet and their generic equivalents. It was the types of enemas that I usually got while growing up, and I still use them to present time.

Although I did have to have a bag enema from time to time while growing up, I think that mom favored the disposables for convenience sake. I think that we both preferred them in that they just seemed less "sinister" maybe than using that red rubber apparatus. I was always given the adult sized saline versions, to the best of my recollection.

I make sure that I have some on hand all of the time. If I use a few, I usually try to get stocked back up again before I would happen to run out. I buy both the saline version and the mineral oil ones too mainly, the store brand generics. I keep one or two of the Fleet Enema Extras on hand also, there is no store brand equivalent of this larger volume saline enema where I usually shop. I keep an eye out for sales and coupons at all times and try to stock up when deals are good.

I have two Bisacoydl Fleet enemas on hand also, I've had them for well over a year now. I have never had or been given a Bisacoydl enema. I am hesitant to try one, because my experiences with Bisacoydl suppositories hasn't usually been all that good. With Bisacoydl I will definitely have a bowel movement, regardless of how large and how dry or stubborn the stool has been, and without any easing lubrication that I can sense. And then, when that is done my colon still feels like it's trying to turn itself inside out trying to evacuate something that isn't there. Your mileage may vary, that's how the stuff usually works for me though.

The Bisacoydl enemas were not on the shelves of any pharmacy in my town or nearby. I had to have my pharmacy order them for me, although they are non prescription.

Most of the time now when I need an enema (usually early in the morning and after a day or so of not being able to go to the bathroom), I will opt for a mineral oil disposable. That is kinda counter to what most people might prefer, but it seems that my butthole is becoming more sensitive to the saline now than it has been before, mainly right around the anus itself.

Mineral oil be wary if you're not used to them and still be wary if you are lol. The inexperienced may want to consider a diaper or pad for protection of furniture or clothing. I started using them more often a few months or so ago. I actually feel more confident now about not having accidents throughout the day because of the oil, I am pretty familiar with their effects though. Whenever I resort to any type of disposable enema usually, a bag follow up is the norm typically later in the evening.

Ed, I haven't used the Fleet bisacodyls but sometimes put 10mg worth of bisacodyl in a SSE of a quart or so and that tempers the burning as well as the ... oh I can't remember the official name of that feeling when your colon is "trying to turn itself inside out," and also helps to ease the passage of the feces. Like you I used to really not like the Dulcolax suppos when I was a kid because they just used overwhelming force to push out whatever was in there, no matter how hard and dry.

I have a pack of the Fleet-type salines, but rarely use them because they don't get "high enough" (usually stuff hangs up in the sigmoid for me), and they also burn. I imagine that part of the problem could be me not holding long enough - with the warnings on the box I usually let it out at about 10-15 mins. I have some empty bottles that I wouldn't mind trying with a glycerin mix to see if that works better, but so far I just go for the bag.

Only used oil about twice. Didn't like the clean-up.

Mineral Oil Enemas - A mineral oil based enema used for constipation is used to lubricate and soften the stool while helping it slide through the colon easily.

Saline Solution Enemas - Sometimes just a water or saline solution enema can be enough to get relief from minor constipation.

Mineral oil just softens the stool and does not produce an urge to go. They are typically used first, then a regular fleet saline or a soapy enema and between both usually produce a good result.

You could say that I have had a 50+ years history with Fleet and their generic equivalents. It was the types of enemas that I usually got while growing up, and I still use them to present time.

Has it really been 50 years since Fleet enemas came out. That would put it around 1970, I don't remember them that far back but did buy one for my wife around 1976. How time flys when you are having fun!

I don't remember them that far back but did buy one for my wife around 1976.

@Moppys_jalopy do you remember the ads from that time? There's one in the photo galleries here that shows an ad that says 'taking the water out of the enema' with a very happy boy in the picture. Did they have any other funny slogans at the time?

Saline Solution Enemas - Sometimes just a water or saline solution enema can be enough to get relief from minor constipation.

The problem with this is that "saline" covers a lot of ground. It can be normal/physiologic saline which is gentle and matches the concentration in the body, or it can be something such as Fleet's hypertonic saline which is much more concentrated than the body and draws water out (phosphates aren't well absorbed so in most cases the body doesn't absorb much of the salt from the enema). There also is one reported in Asia which is hypertonic sodium chloride, which would act like a Fleets but have a bit more salt absorption (though NaCl is safer than phosphates).

I have a love/hate relationship with my fleet bisacodyl enemas. Very effective though.

Is it possible that the laxative effects of fleet bisacodyl enemas will weaken?

Is the urge from the bisacodyl ones strong? I’ve not tried one of them yet.

@Jenny_Is_Kinky2 said

I have a love/hate relationship with my fleet bisacodyl enemas. Very effective though.

Are they available off the shelf where you are? No pharmacy in town around here stocks the Bisacoydl enemas on a regular basis.

Is the urge from the bisacodyl ones strong?

Quite strong, but you have to hold it in for a while. At some point (usually 8 to 12 minutes for me), my sphincter is not powerful enough to hold it back and I will evacuate involuntarily unless I run to the toilet.

My question upon this point of view has the following background: It is well known that the laxative effects in taking bisacodyl pills will weaken in the case that you will take these ones regularly. So it is my assumption that this will be valid for bisacodyl suppositories too.

My question upon this point of view has the following background: It is well known that the laxative effects in taking bisacodyl pills will weaken in the case that you will take these ones regularly. So it is my assumption that this will be valid for bisacodyl suppositories too.

I know that bisacodyl suppositories are used daily in some instances, such as spinal cord injury. That seems to indicate that the body doesn't totally get used to them.

OTOH for many functional issues, such as IBS, the recommendation is that you change things up every so often.

It is well known that the laxative effects in taking bisacodyl pills will weaken in the case that you will take these ones regularly. So it is my assumption that this will be valid for bisacodyl suppositories too.

I was reading this up and apparently this weakening effect/ "getting used to it" is not that strong.

Another aspect is that the mechanism of action is not completely clear for rectal use. Orally ingested bisacodyl is resorbed and gets into the colon via the liver. In the colon, bacteria digest the bisacodyl and produce another substance which increases the motility.

So without exact knowledge how the bisacodyl in the suppositories works, it's probably not possible (at least I don't see it) to give a good answer without testing it. But maybe there are some professionals around who know long term effects from their experience?

Many in the sci community use bisacodyl ,ne it dulcolax or generic or the faster acting water soluble "mafic bullets" , in my experience and alot of others the suppositories remain effective over long term ,the one notable effect on long term use is mucous we call it Butt snot ,generally about an hour after completion of bowel care , you will expel butt snot ,again this is with chronic use . Using digital manual stimulation to confirm bowel is empty does not effect or apply to passing butt snot.i have friends who have used them everyday for 20 years they are no more or less effective than day 1 . You can actually achieve bisacodyl results ising your finger alone stroking the inside of the rectum irritating it ,it hust takes alot of time .i mtself used multiple suppsitories every other day for 5-6 _years unfortunately my routine wasn't as effective as needed and I had to transition to an oral syrup to be able to have multiple full productive evacuations to keep my body happy .

In the USA at least there are "off brand" disposable enemas that have to go through the SAME approval process to get on the market. Once on the market they have to keep the ingredients EXACTLY the same as what was approved originally.

Most of the big chains like Wal-Mart, Target, CVS and even the regional chains like Eckards have their "House" or private brands.

Read the ingredients. In the US, by law they HAVE TO list the ingredients on the store package.

Always CHECK TO MAKE SURE but in any normal situation the ingredients will be IDENTICAL and so will the directions. The price can often be half or less than half that of the 'NAME" aka "national" really global brand.

Often times the generics are really produced by a company like Swan Pharmaceuticals which is a brand you will find a lot in independent drug stores and small chains.

Sooooo if you are in the US, or are one of those Canadians or Mexicans who cross the border to shop, just KNOW that and save your money.

You are not REALLY getting an "Alternative" normally Just a more-or-less sane price on the same thing

Many years ago, here in the UK , i bought what was called a fletchers enema, which was a small bottle of liquid, much like a fleet in it effect , different shape bottle, cant remember where i got them, must have been a chemists somewhere, were awfull things, only used maybe 2, only thing that i found amusing , was the first woman to give enemas to me, and me to her, was called fletcher ! this must have been 40 odd years ago !

Not long ago and not far away, cross border shopping across the Canadian border was common, and across the Mexican border was, maybe not common, but by no means rare.

I've tried only the non-liquid glycerin suppository and it usually causes a bowel movement in the claimed 15-60 minutes. But not if I've had a movement in less than 8 hours prior to inserting the little bugger. In other words, there has to be something in the colon to evacuate to move it out.

For a complete rundown on all Fleet's enemas and suppositories, check out their product listings at https://www.fleetlabs.com/

I like fleet mineral oil enemas best

@rtenesup Curious what ad you are referring to.

@Chase can't find it now but it's in the Zity image galleries somewhere

The Fleet BagEnema was their best product. It was my “go-to” for out of town business trips, when I didn't pack my own gear, for those evening hotel room cleansings. Inexpensive and quite effective. You can have those chemical enemas of theirs…..not for me.

I posted a couple of Fleet magazine ads in the following location:

https://en.zity.biz/index.php?mx=gallery;ox=showalbum;ax=9461

I've used Fleets. To me, they are definitely inferior compared to a bucket or bag. I did buy the “Bagenema” several times, and those work very well, although they are lacking in quantity (1500cc, not 2000).

There was nothing really special about the fleet Bagenemas There are many essentially identical ones available, although not the Fleet brand. I think the Bagenemas disappeared from the market because the Chinese ones were identical, but cheaper.

If you look for disposable large volume enema bags today, virtually every one is about 1500ml and has the end of the hose rounded, with a side eye, just like the Bagenemas. FWIW, my preference is the MDI center hang disposable bag.

As to volume, I think 1500ml of warm water with the soap packet is more than enough to make anyone, even if they've been constipated for many days, really poo. You may not get results instantly, but just hold the water and wait. Odds are things will really move within an hour.

@rtenesup Curious what ad you are referring to.

@Chase Second photo in https://en.zity.biz/index.php?mx=gallery;ox=showalbum;ax=6600