Bisacodyl added to large enema

I recently tried adding some Bisacodyl to the solution in my enema bag but chose to use the tablet form instead of suppositories. As other members have recommended dissolving the tablets first in water with a small amount of baking soda. I purchased a generic disposable enema and discarded the contents. I added three 5 MG Bisacodyl tablets to the empty bottle and a quarter tsp. of baking soda and filled it up with warm filtered water. I then let it set overnight. The next morning I shook the bottle very well and emptied the contents into my enema bag mixed with A quart of warm tepid filtered water as a prelude to a series. I found it was easy fo me to take and easy to hold and worked very effectively. I did however end up with the Bisacodyl tummy most of the morning.

The best way to add bisacodyl to any enema is to find the bisacodyl mini enema and use that about 10 minutes before proceeding with the first enema.

Next best way is to insert a bisacodyl suppository about 15 to 20 minutes before the first enema.

I have used a number of bisacodyl tablets to my enema cans, never got any reaction to them in my enema. It was like I added plain water.

The best reaction I ever got was from a bisacodyl suppository, 2 of them, then an enema of very warm water that filled me up. Everything came rushing out. I had to rinse and rinse a number of times to get all of that mixture out. Felt great.

I have had the same reaction with glycrin. Not a bit of cramping, need to explode in evacuating. Was if I used plain water. I must be doing something wrong.I have used up to a dozen bisacodyl tablets crushed in backing soda water, no effect at all.

It's been awhile since I had a bisacodyl and soap enema. I used 20 mg. of bisacodyl (4 5mg. generic tabs dispersed in 2 Tbs. water, 1/8 tsp. baking soda and1 tsp. DR. Bronners peppermint soap, took 3 days to break down the tabs.). I used this mixture to fill the latex tubing that is connected to my 4 qt. enema bag. Then I added 3 qts. of an ivory soap solution. Used a double balloon nozzle, 10 minutes to complete the enema, then 6 minutes retention time. The cramps were getting harder and more often, and I had enough. Good clean out, and it only took 20 minutes to expel the entire enema, without the bisacodyl , a 3 quart ivory soap enema would take me 45 -60 minutes to empty out the enema.

My introduction to bisacodyl was a soapsuds and bisacodyl enema (after taking a senna laxative the night before) in preparation for a sigmoidoscopy was not a particularly memorable enema but it did clean me out. After that experience I began looking for ways to find bisacodyl to add to my soapsuds enemas. Initially I was able to find bisacocyl in a liquid form but that did not last very long. After that I found the suppositories. I learned that if I used very hot water which also contained the soap for my enema I could dissolve the suppository and the bisacodyl was dispersed in the soapy solution. A two quart soapsuds enema with bisacodyl will clean me out. I can hold it for awhile but there are definitely more intense cramps that would occur with just the soap(and I use Bonner's Pepemint soap for my enemas). I generally do a warm tap water or saline enema to remov any residual soap an bisacodyl.

Bisacodyl works on contact with colon wall. Therefore, dissolving it in a large volume of water will reduce its effect, because only miniscule amount of bisacodyl will make contact. Also, the onset of the action of bisacodyl is not immediate, but takes about 10 minutes or so to kick in, and that is in the concentrated form, such as a suppository or a mini-enema. The longer the contact time, the stronger the urge will become.

I have tried adding a few Magic Bullet suppositories (they are water-soluble) to a 2 qt enema, with barely noticeable difference compared to plain water. You would need to either use a really high dose of bisacodyl to get a noticeable effect, or significantly increase holding time, which may not be practical with a large volume enema.

I see lots of people going to great length to first dissolve bisacodyl tablets in baking soda, why? I usually add four crushed tablets to 2 liters of hot water, stir well, and insert. I definitely feel it working! I know it doesn't dissolve well but apparently it doesn't need to. Is there anything I am missing?

@lember

My experience with Bisacodyl differs from yours. If I dissolve two Magic Bullet suppositories (equals 4 x 5mg tablets) in 1500ml of warm water the enema goes in fairly easily, but it needs to be taken fully within about 5 minutes. It is best given either with a disposable bag that uses the tubing as a nozzle or with a catheter or colon tube. The solution works best when given up high, at least 10" into your colon. After about 10 o 15 minutes the Bisacodyl really starts to work, and the cramping becomes increasingly intense. Usually, after 20 to 30 mi9nutes it cannot be held, even with a balloon nozzle or other retention device. A single such enema will completely clean someone out of all poo.

@Sean

I agree, bisacodyl in an enema increases the urge a lot. I do not do more than 20 mg., because more than that makes the rest of the day not so nice, bowel very upset with, say 30 mg. This is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, not gruesome.

Https://en.zity.biz/member/118488 ,

Your experience is different because of longer retention time. As I mentioned in my post, because bisacodyl will be highly diluted when mixed with large volume enema, you need either more of it, or hold it longer (or both), as compared with using a bisacodyl suppository or a small volume bisacodyl enema.

I don't believe I had retained the solution long enough for bisacodyl to kick in. I will try again when I have a chance and might report the results.

My post below refers to Sean, I just didn't know how to properly copy a name.

A number of previous posters have told of inserting 1 or 2 bisacodyl suppositories, then starting a soapy enema. They all report good results, so I gave it a try. I inserted 1 bisacodyl suppository, then started preparing a 3 quart ivory soap enema. Getting all the supplies, grating the ivory, etc., took about 12 minutes to make the enema, complete with a double balloon nozzle. I started the enema ( knee/chest) and completed the enema in 8 minutes. So, the bisacodyl has been in the bowel for 20 minutes, I retained the enema for 10 more minutes. The cramps were more than typical ivory soap enema cramps and they were getting closer together and stronger. I released the double balloon, and began to expel the enema. took about 25 minutes to expel all the enema. Very good clean out. I'm going to repeat this enema, but with 2 suppositories instead of just 1.

Why spend the cash on expensive prepared small enemas .

Buy large bottle generic bisacodyl tablets 2 tablets is the same 10 milligrams delivered dose of enema or suppository ,put a pinch of baking soda in as much or as little water as you want, baking soda neutralizes the enteric coating that makes it dissolve in bowel and not your stomach, take the money you save and buy yourself a nice new blingy bag of your dreams. I learned this in spinal injury rehab years ago

For each 1 supposity or

1 enema = you need 2 tablets because the tablets are usually 5 milligrams and the supps and enema are 10 milligrams each .so for same effective dose as 2 suppository as mentioned in previous post ,that would be 4 tablets dissolved .

To make a suppository put a rubber glove in glass invert top of glove so fingers are suspended dissolve 2 tablet in very little water, heat water with coconut oil pour into glove finger allow to cool in refrdigerator .

Presto you have very inexpensive supps ,and oil to make pancakes if you want .

I've disolved 10 or 12, 5 mg bisacodyls in a small pill bottle with a tablespoon of baking soda and very hot water. I then poured that mixture in a 12 oz feminine douche and filled the douche with nice warm water. I shake the douche vigorously, insert the nozzle, and with both hands squeeze as hard as I can. Needless to say, I'm very close to the toilet when I do this entire process because I don't have to wait too long for results.

My first experience with bisacodyl was a soap suds-bisacodyl enema as an outpatient being prepped for a colonoscopy. I liked the strong and complete evacuation which followed. At one time you could get a liquid preparation of 10mg bisacodly, but It has been years since I have seen it available. However, bisacodyl tablets and suppositories are readily available. There is plenty of information available on using the tablets. I use the suppositories to make my large volume soapsuds bisacodyl enemas. The suppositories will dissolve in very hot(i.e. boiling) water. I heat a small volume of water to boiling and add the soap for the enema to it. Then add the suppository to in and let the suppository dissolve. Add the small volume of soap-bisacodyl solution to the rest of the water for the enema. I have found that one suppository plus the quantity of soap I regularly used for my enemas makes for stronger contractions of the colon and gives a better clean out than just the soapsuds.

Https://www.fleetlabs.com/constipation-relief-products/enemas/fleet-bisacodyl-enema

I recently bought a bottle bisacodyl tablets from amazon, Major was the brand name. I added ¼ tsp of baking soda to ½ cup water, added 4 bisacodyl tabs. Stirred the mix , the coating came off the tabs in 10 seconds. I did not add any soap this time, and 45 minutes later the tabs were all broken down. Even with soap, it used to take 2-3 days before the tabs were completely broken down, so there must be a formulation change in the generic bisacodyl tablets. Have not used the mixture in an enema yet, but I really like the fact of the short time to prepare a bisacodyl enema, either with or without soap.

@trw428

The coating on Dulcolax tablets has always dissolved in basic solutions. That is purposeful because if the active ingredient is released in your stomach, which is very acidic, it will cause a LOT of cramping and likely make you puke.

That's why Dulcolax takes 6 hours plus to start working… it takes time for the tablets to go through your stomach and small intestine to reach the normally alkaline large bowel. The the coating dissolves, releasing the active ingredient which causes a lot of cramping… and you poo.

@sean

I understand, I'm an organic chemist, I get the chemistry in the bowel, my point is it used to take take 3 days in the alkaline (with soap) solution for the bisacodyl tab to break up, this time, less than 60 minutes, something has changed with the bisacodyl tablet.

@trw428

Maybe you should try some older Dulcolax brand tablets in your baking soda solution.

@sean

I understand, I'm an organic chemist, I get the chemistry in the bowel, my point is it used to take take 3 days in the alkaline (with soap) solution for the bisacodyl tab to break up, this time, less than 60 minutes, something has changed with the bisacodyl tablet.

Don't discount the effects of heat and agitation in the bowel.

Why not just fold a piece of cereal box in half and crush the bisacodyl tabs with pliers, or pill crusher then dump the contents in enema bag?

@1ofmany

Crushing the Dulcolax doesn't really release the bisacodyl ( the stimulant laxative ingredient) very well. It is pretty insoluble in water. I've found the best way is to dissolve a couple of Magic Bullet suppositories in a bag of warm water. A bag of that solution causes strong cramping within a half hour and a very complete poo follows promptly.

@Sean i can't find magic bullets here in Italy so I have to stick with dulcolax suppositories or tabs. Which is the best way to implement those in an enema?

Imo you have to crush tabs and mix it in a small soap solution until it melts. But I never really tried it so I'm not 100% sure about this. I would avoid dulcolax suppositories, imo those won't melt in water.

Any advice?

@Midas, look on Amazon for.the Magic Bullet Suppositories.

Suppositories will melt in hot water if you stir well and long enough, the problem is that wax residue will stick to the walls of your equipment, but this can be cleaned with soap and hot water afterwards. Pills can be crushed in a mortar and the powder dissolved in hot water as well, adding baking soda helps to dissolve any left over coating of the pills.

The second approach works normally well enough and needs less cleaning of the equipment afterwards.

@Midas

@dlboy petty much says it. If you don't have a mortar, you can crush pills between two spoons.

Dulcolax tablets have a coating which prevents the tablet from dissolving in acidic environments. The coating is designed to to only slowly dissolve in a pH range of 6.8 to 7.0. The pH of distilled water is 7.0 nominal. It takes over 24 hours for the coating to erode in water at room temperature. Raising the temperature to about 40 degrees C accelerates the rate at which the coating dissolves.

If you want to quickly dissolve the coating on a bisacodyl tablet you can use ordinary baking soda in a small amount of water. The baking soda shifts the pH of water above 7.0. About ½ teaspoon of baking soda in 30 mL of water will yield a pH of about 8.0 which causes rapid breakdown of the protective coating on the tablet. Once the protective coating is removed water rapidly disintegrates the tablet core containing the bisacodyl.

Bisacodyl ( the drug, not the coating) is essentially insoluble in water and settles rapidly in a water solution. Bisacodyl's published solubility is only 3 micrograms per milliliter of water at 37 degrees C. While the tablet core does disintegrate, Bisacodyl rapidly settles in water. That is the reason why Mini-Enemas in squeeze bottles containing bisacodyl require vigorous shaking just before administration, ideally with the patient in a prone position or with knees under the patient raising their buttocks up in the air. The rapidly settling bisacodyl collects around the squeeze bottle opening when inverted and the rush of fluid exiting the bottle drafts the drug from the surfaces it collects upon.

Most of the time you will end up using a bisacodyl suppository. Ideally about 15 minutes before you start the enema itself.

I do it when I get back to the bed after having peed.

I prefer the Fleet bisacodyl mini-enema when it's available.

I use it after I'm in position but before the nozzle insertion.

I never feel the fluid itself going in, but after about 20 minutes, which is usually just about in time for main enema valve opening, I start to feel a hint of having to “go”

If you can get the Fleet Bisacodyl mini enema, that's the best way. If not a bisacodyl suppository or two will work. Just give the suppository about 10-15 minutes to dissolve before doing the main part of the enema!!

@Midas , @paula , I live in Germany, and I looked everywhere (amazon, ebay, also in UK and other countries) but could only find Magic Bullets sold in and shipped from the US, with exorbitant postage (above $20) in addition to the already high price. My conclusion: only available in the US, not in Europe.