Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDulcolax vs. ColaceSide EffectsDrug InteractionsWhich One Should I Choose?Other OTC Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Dulcolax vs. Colace
Side Effects
Drug Interactions
Which One Should I Choose?
Other OTC Treatments
Dulcolax (bisacodyl) and Colace (docusate sodium) are over-the-counter (OTC) medications used to treatconstipation. While both are helpful for relieving symptoms, these medications differ in how they work in the body.
This article will cover how each medication works, their key similarities and differences, side effects, and what to expect when taking them.
Getty Images /Jeff Greenberg/ Contributor
Dulcolax vs. Colace: Key Differences and Similarities
Dulcolax and Colace can also be used foropioid-induced constipation (OIC). Opioids can cause the bowels to become too relaxed, preventing them from being able to push out stool.
Colace comes in capsule and liquid formulations. It is also available as a rectalenemain its generic form, docusate.
How Long Do They Take to Work?
Dulcolax takes six to 12 hours before producing a bowel movement. It shouldn’t be used for over a week without talking to your healthcare provider.
Continued use of Dulcolax can cause you to struggle to have bowel movements when you stop taking it.
Colace, on the other hand, may take 12 to 72 hours before producing a bowel movement. You should take it regularly for one to three days to get the full therapeutic effects of the medication. Therefore, it does not provide quick relief from constipation symptoms.
Side Effects of Dulcolax vs. Colace
As with most medications, Dulcolax and Colace have potential side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerning reactions to using them.
Common side effects with Dulcolax can include:
Severe side effects with Dulcolax may include rectal bleeding.
Common side effects with Colace may include:
Severe side effects with Colace may include:
Safety Warnings
When using Dulcolax or Colace, keep the following in mind:
Stop taking these medications and contact your healthcare provider if you:
Is It Safe to Take Dulcolax or Colace While Pregnant?
Constipation is acommon symptom of pregnancy. Oftentimes, OTC medications are needed for relief.
Dulcolax and Colace will not cross the placenta to affect the fetus if used during pregnancy. Therefore, they are generally considered safe to use while pregnant. However, Dulcolax use should be as limited as possible due to the risk of side effects such as electrolyte imbalances. It’s typically recommended to use other products before Dulcolax in pregnancy.
Don’t take Dulcolax within one hour of drinking milk or taking heartburn medications. This can cause the outer coating of the pills to dissolve too soon, reducing its effectiveness.
Some of theseheartburn medicationsmay include:
Colaceshould not be taken withmineral oil, as it can increase the absorption of mineral oil in the body, which can cause swelling.
Dulcolax vs. Colace: Which One Should I Choose?
Both medications are effective in relieving constipation. However, Dulcolax may begin working within a few hours, whereas Colace may take one to three days to see an improvement.
For this reason, you may opt for Dulcolax if you’re looking for quick relief for your constipation symptoms. On the other hand, if you need a longer-term solution, Colace may be a better option.
It is important to discuss all health conditions and current medications with a healthcare provider when discussing which treatment is right for you.
How Does Dulcolax and Colace Compare to Miralax?Certain studies have shown that Miralax can help alleviate constipation faster than other medications, including Dulcolax or Colace.Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about what OTC options are best for your specific treatment of constipation.
How Does Dulcolax and Colace Compare to Miralax?
Certain studies have shown that Miralax can help alleviate constipation faster than other medications, including Dulcolax or Colace.Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about what OTC options are best for your specific treatment of constipation.
Other OTC Treatments for Constipation
Dulcolax and Colace are only some of the options available to help treat constipation. Other treatments that are available over the counter include:
A Word From VerywellIt’s important to evaluate what might be causing your constipation. Dehydration, lack of dietary fiber, and/or little to no physical activity are some causes that can be amended to improve symptoms of constipation.—ERIKA PROUTY, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
It’s important to evaluate what might be causing your constipation. Dehydration, lack of dietary fiber, and/or little to no physical activity are some causes that can be amended to improve symptoms of constipation.—ERIKA PROUTY, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
It’s important to evaluate what might be causing your constipation. Dehydration, lack of dietary fiber, and/or little to no physical activity are some causes that can be amended to improve symptoms of constipation.
—ERIKA PROUTY, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
Both Dulcolax and Colace are formulated to help reduce symptoms of constipation. However, their side effects, their time to take effect, and the types of dosage forms they come in differ. Dulcolax and Colace also work differently; Dulcolax is considered a stimulant laxative, while Colace is a stool softener.
If laxatives don’t help your symptoms, or you experience frequent constipation, talk to a healthcare provider about other treatment options.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Corsetti M, Landes S, Lange R.Bisacodyl: a review of pharmacology and clinical evidence to guide use in clinical practice in patients with constipation.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33(10):e14123. doi:10.1111/nmo.14123DailyMed.Label: Dulcolax stimulant laxative- bisacodyl tablet, film coated.PubChem.Docusate.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.Dailymed.Docusate.Crockett SD, Greer KB, Heidelbaugh JJ, et al.American Gastroenterological Association Institute guideline on the medical management of opioid-induced constipation.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(1):218-226. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.07.016DailyMed.Dulcolax laxative- bisacodyl suppository label.MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P.Treating constipation during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(8):836-838.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222DailyMed.Senna label.MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.MedlinePlus.Magnesium citrate.Kumar L, Barker C, Emmanuel A.Opioid-induced constipation: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and management.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2014;2014:141737. doi:10.1155/2014/141737DailyMed.Label: Metamucil therapy for regularity- psyllium husk powder.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Corsetti M, Landes S, Lange R.Bisacodyl: a review of pharmacology and clinical evidence to guide use in clinical practice in patients with constipation.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33(10):e14123. doi:10.1111/nmo.14123DailyMed.Label: Dulcolax stimulant laxative- bisacodyl tablet, film coated.PubChem.Docusate.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.Dailymed.Docusate.Crockett SD, Greer KB, Heidelbaugh JJ, et al.American Gastroenterological Association Institute guideline on the medical management of opioid-induced constipation.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(1):218-226. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.07.016DailyMed.Dulcolax laxative- bisacodyl suppository label.MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P.Treating constipation during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(8):836-838.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222DailyMed.Senna label.MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.MedlinePlus.Magnesium citrate.Kumar L, Barker C, Emmanuel A.Opioid-induced constipation: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and management.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2014;2014:141737. doi:10.1155/2014/141737DailyMed.Label: Metamucil therapy for regularity- psyllium husk powder.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Corsetti M, Landes S, Lange R.Bisacodyl: a review of pharmacology and clinical evidence to guide use in clinical practice in patients with constipation.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33(10):e14123. doi:10.1111/nmo.14123DailyMed.Label: Dulcolax stimulant laxative- bisacodyl tablet, film coated.PubChem.Docusate.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.Dailymed.Docusate.Crockett SD, Greer KB, Heidelbaugh JJ, et al.American Gastroenterological Association Institute guideline on the medical management of opioid-induced constipation.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(1):218-226. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.07.016DailyMed.Dulcolax laxative- bisacodyl suppository label.MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P.Treating constipation during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(8):836-838.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222DailyMed.Senna label.MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.MedlinePlus.Magnesium citrate.Kumar L, Barker C, Emmanuel A.Opioid-induced constipation: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and management.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2014;2014:141737. doi:10.1155/2014/141737DailyMed.Label: Metamucil therapy for regularity- psyllium husk powder.
Corsetti M, Landes S, Lange R.Bisacodyl: a review of pharmacology and clinical evidence to guide use in clinical practice in patients with constipation.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33(10):e14123. doi:10.1111/nmo.14123
DailyMed.Label: Dulcolax stimulant laxative- bisacodyl tablet, film coated.
PubChem.Docusate.
DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.
Dailymed.Docusate.
Crockett SD, Greer KB, Heidelbaugh JJ, et al.American Gastroenterological Association Institute guideline on the medical management of opioid-induced constipation.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(1):218-226. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.07.016
DailyMed.Dulcolax laxative- bisacodyl suppository label.
MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.
Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P.Treating constipation during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(8):836-838.
Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222
DailyMed.Senna label.
MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.
MedlinePlus.Magnesium citrate.
Kumar L, Barker C, Emmanuel A.Opioid-induced constipation: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and management.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2014;2014:141737. doi:10.1155/2014/141737
DailyMed.Label: Metamucil therapy for regularity- psyllium husk powder.
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