Bowel Care Formulary

Generic Name

Trade Name

Dosage

Bisacodyl

Dulcolax

5-15 mg tab
10 mg supp
qd
or bid

Calcium
Polycarbophil Tab

FiberCon

Docusate Sodium
Soln
Docusate Sodium
Cap
Dibasic Sodium
Phosphate,
Monobasic Sodium
Phosphate

Glycerin Adult Supp

Magnesium
Hydroxide

Form

Time for effect

How to take

Diet recommendations

Nutrition Effect

Oral/GI Effects

Stimulant

Tab, Supp

15-60 min (supp)

6-12 hrs (tab)

Swallow whole tab in PM on

empty stomach with 8 oz
fluid; do not take within 1 hr
of dairy ingestion, Ca, or Mg
suppl

High fiber w/ 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day; reg PA

Decreases weight

Stomach discomfort,
faintness, cramps, rectal
burning w/ supp

2 tabs qd or bid

Bulk Forming

Tab

12-72 hrs

With 8oz water or nonalcoholic liquid

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day. Schedule multi-vit
separately by 1-2hrs

Ca is about 30% absorbed;

provides significant dietary
Ca

Increases peristalsis and

bowel motility; decrease
diarrhea

Colace

50 mg
(10 mg/mL) qd

Stool Softener

Liq

24-72 hrs

Mix liquid with 6-8 oz water

or juice

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day

Alters absorption of water Bitter taste, throat irritation,

and electrolytes.
nausea

Colace

100-250 mg
qd or bid

Stool Softener

Tab

24-72 hrs

Swallow tablet with full glass

of liquid

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day

Alters absorption of water

and electrolytes.

Fleet enema

133 ml or 230 ml
qd

Enema

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day

Decreases weight,
anorexia, dehydration; Anal irritation, diarrhea, gas,
may decrease absorption nausea, bloating, stomach
of fat soluble vitamins, Ca,
cramps
P, K with LT use

Rectal Suppository

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day

Rectal discomfort/
irritation, tenesmus,
abdominal cramping,
diarrhea, hyperemia of the
rectal mucosa, hemorrhage,
mucus discharge

With 8 oz fluid

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day, take Fe or Fol
supplement separately by at
least 2 hrs

Fleet Glycerine
Suppositories

Milk of Magnesia

1 supp qd

30 ml qd or bid

Psyllium sugar Free

Packet

Metamucil

1 pkt bid

Senna Concentrate
Tab

Senokot,
Senakot-S

1-2 tabs
qd or bid

Use

Saline Laxative

Hyperosmotic
Laxative

Saline Laxative

Bulk Forming

Stimulant

Liq

Supp

Liq

Pwd

Tab

1-5 min

15-60 min

30 min-6 hrs

12-24 hrs

6-12 hours

Appropriate for low Na diet.

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml
Take 2 hrs before or after
other meds; dissolve powder fluid/day. As antihyperlipidemicin 8 oz fluid
decrease fat, chol, kcal if
needed

Start with 2 tabs qd, max 4

tabs bid,
do not use for >1 week

High fiber with 1500-2000 ml

fluid/day

Dehydration, electrolyte
imbalance

Cramps, diarrhea, rash

Chalky taste, nausea,

15-30% of Mg is absorbed cramping diarrhea; laxative
dependence with LT use

Decreased appetite

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal

cramps, bloating, diarrhea,
flatulence

Electrolyte imbalance with

excessive use

Increases intestinal
peristalsis, nausea, vomiting,
cramps, diarrhea, laxative
dependence. Loss of normal
bowel function with LT use