Carter's Little

For constipation, the usual dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is 1 to 2 tablets (5 mg to 10 mg) taken by mouth, or 1 adult suppository (10 mg) inserted rectally. For children 6 to 12 years of age, the usual dose is 1 tablet (5 mg) taken by mouth or 1 pediatric suppository (5 mg) inserted rectally.

Before a medical test or surgery, the usual dose for adults is 2 to 4 tablets (10 mg to 20 mg) by mouth the night before the procedure, followed by 1 suppository inserted rectally the morning of the procedure. For children 6 years of age and older, the usual dose is 1 tablet (5 mg) taken by mouth at bedtime and 1 pediatric suppository (5 mg) inserted rectally the following morning.

Take the tablets at night to produce a bowel movement the following morning. Do not take the tablets with milk or antacids as this may dissolve the coating on the tablet. Swallow the tablets whole with liquids. Do not crush or chew the tablets.

To use the suppositories, unwrap and insert high into the rectum with the pointed end first. Then, push the flat end of the suppository sideways so that part of it touches the wall of the rectum. Keep the suppository in the rectum for as long as possible. If inserting the suppository is difficult because you have had anal fissures or hemorrhoids, coat the end of the suppository with a lubricant such as petroleum jelly before inserting. The suppositories will start to work within 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not take Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) for longer than one week, unless directed by a health care professional. If you use Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) for one week and you do not produce a bowel movement, contact your doctor immediately.

It is important to take Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) exactly as prescribed by your doctor or recommended by your pharmacist. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each tablet contains Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) USP 5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, carnauba wax, cellulose, gelatin, kaolin, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol pregelatinized starch, silicon dioxide, sucrose, talc, titanium dioxide, and white wax.

Do not take Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) if you:

• are allergic to Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) or any ingredients of the medication
• are severely dehydrated
• have a rare inherited condition where you cannot take lactose or sucrose (e.g., galactosemia, fructose intolerance)
• have intestinal blockage, Appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitits), or severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting

Do not take other medications 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) tablets. Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) tablets may reduce the effectiveness of other medications.

There may be an interaction between Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) and any of the following:

• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• Digoxin
• diuretics (e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• H2-antagonists (e.g., Ranitidine, Cimetidine)
• milk
• proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; e.g., Omeprazole, Pantoprazole)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Carter's Little (Bisacodyl). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Carter's Little (Bisacodyl).

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, Fever: If you have abdominal pain, nausea, fever, or vomiting, do not take Carter's Little (Bisacodyl). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Dizziness and fainting: People taking Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) have reported experiencing dizziness and fainting. This may be from straining to produce a bowel movement or from the pain that can be associated with constipation. If you feel dizzy or faint while taking Carter's Little (Bisacodyl), contact your doctor.

Long-term use: Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) should not be taken daily or for long periods of time as this may lead to dehydration and low potassium levels. Long-term use can make your bowels dependent on Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) to function.

Rectal conditions: If you have rectal fissures or ulcerative proctitis, discuss with your doctor how Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Carter's Little (Bisacodyl), and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with these conditions may experience pain and irritation when using the suppository form of Carter's Little (Bisacodyl). If you experience rectal bleeding after using the suppositories, contact your doctor.

Tartrazine: Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) contains tartrazine (a colouring agent) and should not be taken by people who are allergic to tartrazine.

Pregnancy: Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Carter's Little (Bisacodyl), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) does not pass into breast milk. It is therefore considered safe to use while breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) have not been established for children less than 6 years old. Do not give Carter's Little (Bisacodyl) to children unless recommended by your doctor.