Oral Bisacodyl Is Effective and Well-Tolerated in Patients With Chronic Constipation

Abstract

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. After a 2-week baseline period without study medication, patients were randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, to groups that were given 10 mg bisacodyl (n = 247) or placebo (n = 121), once d..