Feen-A-Mint oral and rectal

Bisacodyl is a laxative that stimulates bowel movements.

Bisacodyl is used to treat constipation or to empty the bowels before surgery, colonoscopy, x-rays, or other intestinal medical procedure.

Bisacodyl may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

You should not use bisacodyl if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or longer;

• hemorrhoids or anal fissures (small tears in the skin tissues around your rectum);

• ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other intestinal disorder;

• a history of perforation (a hole or tear) of your intestines;

• an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia); or

• (for bisacodyl tablets) if you cannot swallow without chewing.

Older adults should not use rectal bisacodyl without a doctor's advice.

It is not known whether bisacodyl will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether bisacodyl passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Avoid using other medications within 2 hours before or 2 hours after using bisacodyl.

Avoid drinking milk or taking an antacid within 1 hour before you take bisacodyl by mouth.

Applies to bisacodyl: compounding powder, oral delayed release tablet, rectal enema, rectal suppository

Gastrointestinal

Bisacodyl causes acute nonspecific inflammatory injury to the rectal mucosa, which can confound the assessment of patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease.

The surreptitious abuse of laxatives is a common cause of severe chronic diarrhea. In some cases, the stool contains fecal leukocytes, which, in this case, is indicative of the irritant effect of bisacodyl (the active ingredient contained in Feen-A-Mint) (nonspecific colonic mucosal inflammation), and not necessarily of infection. Surreptitious abuse of laxatives due to bisacodyl can be determined by urinalysis for a metabolite, bisacodyl diphenol. In some cases, stool analysis for bisacodyl could be considered in the diagnostic assessment.

Abdominal cramping has been described as a mild, colicky discomfort. This can be a problem since cramping my indicate not only a side effect of bisacodyl, but underlying gastrointestinal pathology.

Abdominal distension and vomiting are less common gastrointestinal side effects.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal side effects have been reported the most frequently. These have included abdominal cramping, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and vomiting. Severe diarrhea has been reported as a possible result of surreptitious laxative abuse. The sensation of rectal "burning" with administration of bisacodyl enema has been reported.[Ref]

Metabolic

The metabolic consequences of some Fleet bisacodyl (the active ingredient contained in Feen-A-Mint) enema preparation kits that contain monobasic or dibasic sodium phosphate in patients with renal insufficiency can be profound. Due to the sodium and phosphate absorption, severe hypernatremia, hypophosphatemia, and hypocalcemia may occur.[Ref]

Metabolic side effects have included severe hypernatremia, hypophosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. These effects have been reported primarily with Fleet bisacodyl enema preparation kits that contain monobasic or dibasic sodium phosphate and administered to patients with renal insufficiency. Fleet bisacodyl enemas without these ingredients may be used safely in such patients.[Ref]

Some side effects of Feen-A-Mint may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.