What is Half-Lytely and Bisacodyl?
Half-Lytely and bisacodyl stimulate bowel movement. This medication contains potassium, sodium, and other minerals that replace electrolytes lost in the stool.Before colonoscopy or any other intestinal procedure, HalfLytely with Bisacodyl can be used to cleanse the bowel.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for HalfLytely or Bisacodyl.
Side effects of HalfLytely and Bisacodyl
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention: difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; swelling of the throat. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, call your doctor immediately.
- Seizure (convulsions);
- Severe nausea, abdominal pain, or bloating
- Vomit or blood that looks like coffee grounds
- Rectal bleeding
- No bowel movements within 6 hours of use
- Gagging, choking, or vomiting
You can prevent some of these side effects by taking the medication slowly or stopping its use for a few days. Please follow your doctor's advice.
Some of the less serious side effects include:
- Mild nausea or vomiting;
- Stomach cramps, bloating, or a full feeling?
- Rectal pain or irritation
- Vomiting;
- Passing gas;
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Do not consume solid foods or liquids other than water or clear fluids on the day of a colonoscopy. After taking Bisacodyl and HalfLytely, avoid drinking large quantities of water. It may be advised that you do not eat or drink anything prior to your medical procedure or test. You should follow your doctor's advice about what liquids to drink and how much for the 24 hours prior to and following your medical test or procedure.Bisacodyl should not be taken within an hour of taking antacids.HalfLytely should not be used with other laxatives unless you have been told to by your doctor.Speak to your doctor about the possibility that you may not be able to drink all the prescribed medication. If your bowels are not fully cleansed, you may need to reschedule your test or procedure.
Before you take this drug
Half-Lytely or bisacodyl should not be used if you have an allergy to:
- Bisacodyl is available in many forms (Bisac-Evac®, Dulcolax®, Fleet®, Carter's Little Pills®, etc.).
- Polyethylene glycol (glycolax, miralax);
- Any other electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte, Gatorade, or Pedialyte)
HalfLytely or Bisacodyl should not be used if you suffer from colitis, toxic megacolon, severe constipation, or a perforated or obstructed bowel. Half-Lytely or bisacodyl could cause dangerous and life-threatening effects if you suffer from any of these conditions.This medication should only be used by people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.Your doctor may adjust the dose of HalfLytely or Bisacodyl if you have these conditions.
- Kidney disease
- Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing include:
- A history of diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, or any other chronic bowel disorder;
- If you take a diuretic (water pill),
FDA pregnancy category C There is no information on whether half-lytely or bisacodyl can harm an unborn child.Notify your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Bisacodyl, polyethylene glycol, or their combination are not known to pass into breast milk. You should not take this medication if you are breastfeeding a child. Half-Lytely or bisacodyl should not be given to children unless you have been told to by your doctor.
How to take HalfLytely and Bisacodyl?
Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your physician. Take only what is advised and do not go beyond it; always adhere to instructions on your prescription label.HalfLytely with Bisacodyl is available in a kit that contains 2 bisacodyl tablets in delayed release and a powdered HalfLytely. First, you will take bisacodyl and wait for a bowel motion. After you have had a bowel motion, you can start using PEG-3350 over a 90-minute period.
Bisacodyl delayed-release tablets:
The delayed-release bisacodyl tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or broken. The bisacodyl delayed-release tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass full of water. Delayed-release tablets are designed to slowly release the medicine into your body. If you break the tablet, too much medicine will be released all at once.After taking bisacodyl, you should experience a bowel motion within 1 to 6 hours. Start using HalfLytely after your first bowel motion.
HalfLytely Solution:
Half-Lytely must be dissolved in water before use. Fill the container up to 2 liters with water. Shake the bottle until all the powder has been dissolved.PEG-3350 powder comes in a variety of flavor packs. Add flavor only to one packet. The solution can be prepared without the flavor pack. Add no extra flavors such as honey, sugar, artificial sweeteners, or fruit juices.Before measuring each dose, shake the liquid thoroughly. PEG-3350 is usually taken in 8 ounces of solution every 10 minutes. Take the PEG-3350 solution at the precise time intervals and in the exact amounts prescribed by your physician.Slowly sipping the solution is not recommended. After drinking HalfLytely, the first watery stools should appear in about an hour.The solution can be stored in the refrigerator, but it must be used within 48 hours of mixing. You should throw away any PEG-3350 mixture you haven't used within 48 hours of mixing.PEG-3350 can cause watery diarrhea. Continue to drink the solution until all 2 liters have been consumed.Do not consume solid foods or drinks other than liquids on the day of a colonoscopy. It is possible that you will be told not to eat or drink anything prior to your medical procedure or test. You should follow your doctor's advice about what liquids to drink and how much for at least 24 hours before and after the test or procedure.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Speak to your doctor about the possibility that you may not be able to drink all of your medication. If your bowels are not fully cleansed, you may need to reschedule your test or procedure.
What happens if I overdose?
Contact 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning and for emergency assistance, or seek immediate medical care.
What should be avoided?
Half-Lytely or bisacodyl should not be taken with large quantities of water. You should follow your doctor's advice on the amount and type of liquid to drink. While using HalfLytely, drinking too much liquid could be dangerous.Bisacodyl should not be taken within an hour of taking antacids.Do not take any other medication, vitamins, or minerals within an hour of drinking HalfLytely. You will not properly absorb any medications taken just before you do a bowel cleanse.Use only HalfLytely or Bisacodyl as directed by your doctor.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor before taking HalfLytely or Bisacodyl if you also take a diuretic or other blood pressure or heart medications.There may be other drugs that can cause interactions with PEG-3350 and bisacodyl. Inform your doctor of all the medications you take. Included are prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamin, and herbal products. Never start a new medicine without consulting your doctor.
