Efficacy and safety of bisacodyl in the acute treatment of constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Summary Background Although laxatives are a first-line treatment for constipation, there are few randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing their efficacy. Aim To determine the effect and safety of oral bisacodyl on stool frequency and consistency in patients with idiopathic constipation. Methods 55 patients (age 19-89 years) with idiopathic constipation were recruited from eight primary care practices and randomized to receive bisacodyl, 10 mg once daily, or placebo, on three successive days following a 3-day run-in period. Patients recorded stool frequency and consistency and adverse events. Results In each treatment group, 27 patients were evaluable for efficacy. The mean number of stools per day was significantly greater in the bisacodyl-treated group (1.8/day) compared with placebo (0.95/day) over the treatment phase (P = 0.0061). Mean stool consistency score improved from 'hard' (run-in) to between 'soft' and 'well-formed' during bisacodyl treatment, remaining between 'moderately hard' and 'hard' for placebo treatment (P < 0.0001). The investigator's global efficacy score was superior for the bisacodyl group compared with placebo. Both treatments were well tolerated. Serum electrolyte levels and incidence of adverse events were comparable between treatment groups. Conclusions Bisacodyl is effective and safe in improving stool frequency and consistency in acute treatment of idiopathic constipation.[1]References
- Efficacy and safety of bisacodyl in the acute treatment of constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Kienzle-Horn, S., Vix, J.M., Schuijt, C., Peil, H., Jordan, C.C., Kamm, M.A. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. (2006) [Pubmed]
Annotations and hyperlinks in this abstract are from individual authors of WikiGenes or automatically generated by the WikiGenes Data Mining Engine. The abstract is from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.About WikiGenesOpen Access LicencePrivacy PolicyTerms of Useapsburg