Long‐term Use of Bisacodyl in Pediatric Functional Constipation Refractory to Conventional Therapy

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Standard therapy for pediatric constipation includes osmotic laxatives with stimulant laxatives use only as rescue therapy. Limited information is available on regular and long-term use of bisacodyl in pediatric population despite its common use in adult and pediatric constipation. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with functional constipation refractory to conventional therapy (regular use of osmotic laxatives and intermittent use of stimulant laxatives only as a rescue therapy) referred to tertiary care children's hospital (January 2007-December 2014). Patients had a bowel movement (BM) frequency of ≤2 per week and were treated with bisacodyl regularly for longer than 4 weeks. Demographic variables, bisacodyl dose and treatment duration, number of BM/week before and after treatment, side effects, and length of follow-up were recorded. Response to therapy was successful when frequency of BM increased from baseline to ≥3 BM/wk. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were included, 52% girls, median age 9.45 years (0.9-21 years). Bisacodyl median dose was 5 mg/day, median duration of treatment was 14 months (1-77 months) with 90% of patients taking the medication for <36 months. Median number of BM/wk doubled after initiation of bisacodyl from 2 to 4 bm/w (P < 0.001). Approximately 57% of patients had successful response. At long-term follow-up 55% of patients were successfully weaned off bisacodyl (median time of 18 months). Side effects reported in 9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Bisacodyl is effective and well tolerated in the long-term treatment of pediatric functional constipation refractory to conventional therapy. Most of patients with a favorable response were successfully weaned off the medication.

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