Bisacodyl Tablets Instructions

You will need to collect the Bisacodyl tablets from your local pharmacy and follow the instructions above on taking them depending on your appointment time, morning or afternoon.  

The tablets may give you stomach cramps or urgency, and you may feel a little light-headed or dizzy. If this happens, you must rest, and it should pass. If the symptoms become severe, contact your GP or ring the contact number on the information leaflet, but this is very rare. 

The reasons for the dietary restrictions are that the foods on the list are digested before they reach the colon leaving it clearer for us to see. Failure to follow these instructions may mean your procedure is cancelled. 

Morning appointment

Two days before your appointment
You will need to follow the light diet, but make sure you drink lots of clear fluids.

Light diet: Chicken or turkey without skin, white fish, eggs, cheese/cheese sauces, pasta, white rice, clear soups, pale coloured jelly (not red or blackcurrant), potatoes (no skins), cauliflower, white bread with butter if wanted.

Clear fluids: Tea and coffee with very little milk. Bovril, fruit juices (not red or purple) or glucose-sweetened fluids that help prevent headaches and tiredness.

6pm: Take two Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water.

One day before your appointment
8am: Take two Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water.

6pm: Take two remaining Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water.

Drink a glass of clear fluid every hour throughout the day, following the light diet.

The day of your appointment
No food for six hours before your appointment time. Continue to drink clear fluids until 2 hours before your appointment time 

Afternoon appointment

Two days before your appointment
You will need to follow the light diet, but make sure you drink lots of clear fluids.

Light diet: Chicken or turkey without skin, white fish, eggs, cheese/cheese sauces, pasta, white rice, clear soups, pale coloured jelly (not red or blackcurrant), potatoes (no skins), cauliflower, white bread with butter if wanted.

Clear fluids: Tea and coffee with very little milk. Bovril, fruit juices (not red or purple) or glucose-sweetened fluids that help prevent headaches and tiredness.

One day before your appointment
8am: Take two Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water.

6pm: Take two more Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water.

Drink a glass of clear fluid every hour throughout the day, following the light diet.

The day of your appointment
8am: Take two Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water.

No food for six hours before your appointment time. Continue to drink clear fluids until two hours before your appointment time.

About this leaflet

Author: Marjoram Dinsdale
Written: January 2026
Approved: January 2026
Review date: January 2029
Edition: v1

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk