Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking bisacodyl

Bisacodyl tablets or suppositories are not generally recommended if you're pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether bisacodyl is right for you.

Constipation is common in pregnancy and can sometimes be treated with diet and lifestyle changes. Eating more fibre, drinking plenty of fluids, and increasing exercise levels can all help.

If a medicine is needed, lactulose or Fybogel are usually recommended first. If these do not work, a doctor will be able to advise you on what to try next.

If diet and lifestyle changes, such as eating more fibre, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising, do not work, it's OK to take or use bisacodyl if you're breastfeeding. Always take or use it for the shortest time needed.

Drinking plenty of fluids is also important to help with breast milk supply.

There's not much information about bisacodyl while breastfeeding, but it's not thought to pass into breast milk. It should not cause any side effects in your baby.

Talk to your health visitor, midwife, doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any concerns about your baby, including if they:

• are not feeding as well as usual
• have diarrhoea
• seem irritable