Diphenylmethane's Flashcards
Generic Name: bisacodyl
Trade Name: Alophen, Carter’s Little Pills, Codulax, Soflax-Ex
Classification: Diphenylmethane (Laxative, stimulant)
Medication Purpose: Acts directly on the intestine by increasing motor activity. Increases water in the colon. Short-term treatment of constipation, bowel or rectal prep. for surgery/examination
Route: PO, Rectal
Side Effects: Tetany
Metabolized: Liver, minimally
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, appendicitis, acute surgical abdomen, ulcerated hemorrhoids, acute hepatitis, fecal impaction, intestinal/biliary tract obstruction.
Nsg. Considerations: Monitor blood, urine electrolytes if used often by pt., check I&O ratio to identify fluid loss. Assess GI symptoms.
Health Teaching: Discuss with the pt. that adequate fluid and bulk consumption is necessary, advise pt. that normal bowel movements do not always occur daily, teach pt. not to use in presence of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Teach pt. to take with a full glass of water; take with dairy products, separate by 2 hr, separate from other foods 1 hr. Teach pt. to identify bulk, water, constipating products. Instruct pt. not to use with laxatives for long-term therapy because bowel tone will be lost. 1 wk use is usually efficient.
