ATC Group: A06AB02 Bisacodyl

The World Health Organization's ATC classification organizes medical drugs based on therapeutic properties, chemical composition, and anatomy. It helps make essential medicines readily available globally and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Position of A06AB02 in the ATC hierarchy

Level Code Title
1 A Alimentary tract and metabolism
2 A06 Laxatives
3 A06A Laxatives
4 A06AB Contact laxatives
5 A06AB02 Bisacodyl

Defined daily dose

The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. The DDD is a unit of measurement and does not necessarily reflect the recommended or Prescribed Daily Dose. Therapeutic doses for individual patients and patient groups will often differ from the DDD as they will be based on individual characteristics (such as age, weight, ethnic differences, type and severity of disease) and pharmacokinetic considerations.

Route Amount
ORAL - Oral 10 mg
RECTAL - Rectal 10 mg

Active ingredients in A06AB02

Active Ingredient Description
Bisacodyl

Bisacodyl is a locally acting laxative from the diphenylmethane derivatives group having a dual action. As a contact laxative, for which also antiresorptive hydragogue effects have been described, bisacodyl stimulates after hydrolysis in the large intestine, the mucosa of both the large intestine and of the rectum. Stimulation of the mucosa of the large intestine results in colonic peristalsis with promotion of accumulation of water, and consequently electrolytes, in the colonic lumen. This results in a stimulation of defecation, reduction of transit time and softening of the stool. Stimulation of the rectum causes increased motility and a feeling of rectal fullness. The rectal effect may help to restore the “call to stool” although its clinical relevance remains to be established.

Related product monographs

Title Information Source Document Type  
DULCOLAX Gastro-resistant tablets Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
LAX-TAB Gastro-resistant tablet Υπουργείο Υγείας (CY) MPI, EU: SmPC

Medicines in this ATC group

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Note the following: The list of brand names is continuously updated, and thus does not include the total of products circulating worldwide.