Bisacodyl in oregnancy

7 replies

Lemondrop09 · 09/05/2017 23:55

I've been terribly constipated for months, basically ever since getting pregnant. Numerous factors contribute - pregnancy hormones, HG (medication, poor diet, dehydration, lying in bed a lot).

HG has eased enough that I am able to drink enough water and upped fibre in diet (fruit and fibre for breakfast plus those manky Fibregel drinks). I'm trying to walk more. Have chugged Laculose out of the bottle! Pruned and fruit juice galore. Softeners do not help, my issue is that my bowel is not pushing and I seem to need a stimulant laxative.

GP prescribed me bisacodyl (basically Ducolax) but I'm too scared to take it. I've heard stimulant laxatives should be avoided in pregnancy as they could cause uterine constructions - although when I've researched this it's mostly linked to senna and castor oil. I can't find anything definitively inking this to bisacodyl, but I'm still nervous as there's little evidence ir research on this.

Anyone been prescribed this or know anything about it?

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Original poster

Lemondrop09 · 09/05/2017 23:57

Just to add, the pharmacist point blank refused to sell me anything aside from lactulose, which is adding to my apprehension.

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BlossomCat · 10/05/2017 00:00

bisacodyl in the BNF
Look at this, click on the pregnancy links, it says it's OK if a stimulant is needed, you've obviously tried other methods, so that's probably why your GP prescribed it.
Hope you feel better soon

Hollyhop17 · 10/05/2017 04:26

Hey Lemon, that was one of the things I waa prescribed in hospital and am still taking it now. It has made a difference and the consultant told me it was perfectly safe to take. It was an obs consultant too.

user1483387154 · 10/05/2017 06:13

please do take what you are advised. I had 4 hours of emergency medical treatment on Sunday due to severe constipation and ended up on 2 drips plus having caused some damage to my colon. That was far more stressful for both me and the baby than taking some simple medication would have been (although not offered in my case)

Original poster

Lemondrop09 · 10/05/2017 13:18

Thanks all. That's reassuring to hear Holly.

I'm sitting here bloated and miserable and wishing I'd taken the damn pill last night. Think I'll take it tonight

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Hollyhop17 · 10/05/2017 13:30

Be glad yours is a pill, mine is a suppository...

Original poster

Lemondrop09 · 10/05/2017 14:51

I actually half wish I had a suppository because at least it would all be over in an hour. The pill takes 12 hours so I've got to wait until tomorrow. Sigh

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