Absence of excretion of the active moiety of bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate into human breast milk: an open-label, parallel-group, multiple-dose study in healthy lactating women.

The aim of this study was to determine whether administration of the prodrugs bisacodyl (Bisa) and sodium picosulfate (SPS) leads to excretion of their common active metabolite, bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane (BHPM), in breast milk. Two groups of 8 healthy lactating women who had stopped breast feeding received multiple doses of Bisa or SPS. Plasma, urine, and breast milk were collected and concentrations of free and total BHPM were determined using validated liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods.

Oral bisacodyl is effective and well-tolerated in patients with chronic constipation.

Background & Aims: Although stimulant laxatives have been used for many years to treat patients with constipation, their clinical value has been questioned, and there have been few high-quality trials to assess their efficacy. We tested the efficacy and safety of 4 weeks of treatment with oral bisacodyl tablets in patients with chronic constipation, defined by Rome III criteria.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in 27 centers in the United Kingdom.