Bisacodyl Tablets Instructions

You will need to collect the Bisacodyl tablets from your local pharmacy and follow the instructions below for taking tablets depending on your appointment time of morning or afternoon. The tablets may give you stomach cramps or urgency, you may feel a little light-headed or dizzy, if this happens, you must rest, then it should soon pass. If the symptoms become severe, contact your GP or ring the contact number overleaf for advice, 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 clearer views for performing the scope.

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.

The day before your examination
8am: Take two Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water and drink a glass of clear fluid every hour throughout the day, following the light diet.

6pm: Take two remaining Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water. Have a light supper from the diet and continue to drink every hour until bedtime.

The day of your examination
Drink clear fluids until your appointment. If you are diabetic, you should have a light breakfast on the day of your examination (e.g. 1 slice of bread and butter and an egg) but follow all other instructions as above.

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.

Day before your procedure
8am: Take two Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water. Continue the light diet.

6pm: Take two more Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water and drink a glass of clear fluid every hour throughout the day, following the light diet.

The day of your examination
8am: Take two remaining Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water. If you wish, you may have a light breakfast e.g. one slice of bread and butter and an egg. Continue to drink every hour until your appointment.

If you are diabetic, you should have a light lunch. e.g. egg on one toast.

You will be able to eat straight after test.

Contact numbers

Clinical advice line 01305 253152

About this leaflet

Author: Suzie Batten. Clinical Endoscopist
Written: May 2025
Approved: May 2025
Review date: May 2028
Edition: 2

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