How Long Does Dulcolax Last?

woman suffering from constipation and holding a paper with a sad face on a light gray background waiting for dulcolax to take effect

BHPM, or bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane, is an active metabolite of bisacodyl, the main ingredient in Dulcolax. The drug bisacodyl is a type of stimulant laxative that works by increasing intestinal movement to help stool pass. Dulcolax can last up to 16.5 hours, which is considered its total half-life period. However, if you’re trying to calculate how long signs of diarrhea might be, you should also consider the onset time, which can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the type of drug application you’re using (oral or suppository).

According to the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, “Following the administration of bisacodyl coated tablets, an average of 51.8% of the dose was recovered in the feces as free BHPM and an average of 10.5% of the dose was recovered in the urine as BHPM glucuronide. Following the administration as a suppository, an average of 3.1% of the dose was recovered as BHPM glucuronide in the urine.”

According to WebMD, Dulcolax onset time can vary by the type of administration of the drug (oral or suppository) and can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours. When calculating the math for how long the drug may last and when the signs of diarrhea may start to wear off.

Key Takeaways

  • Dulcolax can last up to 16.5 hours, which is considered to be the total half-life of the drug.

  • Dulcolax usually has an onset period of anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours. And needs to be factored into the total amount of time that the drug might last. For example, 6 hours + 16.5 hours = total “lasting period” for the drug.

  • If you’re experiencing strong signs of diarrhea, you may want to consume fibrous foods which can help to reduce that issue. Banana, as an example, is a great fruit to consume for this.

How Long Does Dulcolax Last?

On average, Dulcolax (or bisacodyl) will last around 16.5 hours in total. However, you’ll need to factor in the onset period based on the type of administration of the drug that you’re using. For example, oral vs. suppository and their respective onset times.

You can expect around half of your overall dose to metabolize in the first 16.5-hour period and the rest of the dose to metabolize in the remaining 16.5-hour period. With a complete removal of the drug at a half-life period multiplied by 5. That would be 16.5 hours x 5 = 82.5 total hours for complete metabolization.

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Sources

  1. WebMD. (n.d.). Dulcolax Magnesium Hydroxide Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from  https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-179902/dulcolax-magnesium-hydroxide-oral/details

  2. Medsafe. (n.d.). Dulcolax tablets and suppositories: Data Sheet. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/d/dulcolaxtabsupp.pdf


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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. Patients should not use the information presented on this page for diagnosing a health-related issue or disease. Before taking any medication or supplements, patients should always consult a physician or qualified healthcare professional for medical advice or information about whether a drug is safe, appropriate or effective.