Is Dulcolax Keto Friendly?

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If you’re having constipation issues, you may be wondering if Dulcolax is keto friendly? Constipation is not that uncommon on the keto diet.

In this post we’ll determine if you can have Dulcolax on the keto diet, and see if there are any alternatives to help with your keto digestive issues.

What is Dulcolax?

Dulcolax is a stimulant based laxative brand that is very popular. The generic name for this medication is bisacodyl. It is often used to treat constipation and to improve bowel movements.

Dulcolax stimulates the muscles of the bowel to contract and help remove waste from the body. This motions helps to push stool out of the body. The medication is available in various forms including pills, tablets, suppositories, and liquids.

Typically, Dulcolax is recommended for short-term usages, since longer use can lead to a dependence on laxatives.

Is Dulcolax Keto Friendly?

First, you need to understand that there are several products sold under the Dulcolax brand. Each of these products may contain different ingredients, so we need to evaluate each of them on their own.

Dulcolax Laxative Tablets

The laxative tables are the most common form of Dulcolax. It’s a very popular over-the-counter medication for treating constipation. The tablet form of Dulcolax is keto friendly, because it doesn’t contain sweeteners and the amount of inactive ingredients is not a major factor.

You can take Dulcolax on the keto diet.

Dulcolax Suppositories

Dulcolax Suppositories are another option for treating constipation. These typically take 15-60 minutes to work after being inserted into the rectum. They provide more rapid relief than the tablet form of the medication.

Since you do not consume Dulcolax Suppositories orally, they are perfectly fine for the keto diet.

Dulcolax Liquid

The liquid form of Dulcolax is an easy to take option for clearing up keto constipation. Dulcolax Liquid is sweetened using sorbitol, which is less sweet than sugar and contains fewer calories.

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. Typically sugar alcohols are not considered to be sugar when counting carbohydrates. Even if the sugar alcohols would have an impact on your keto diet, the amount contained in Dulcolax Liquid is probably not enough to cause a concern.

Dulcolax Soft Chews

The soft chews are another over-the-counter option to treat constipation. These chews are easier for people that have a hard time taking pills.

The Dulcolax Soft Chews do contain about 2g of carbs per serving. The inactive ingredients list corn syrup as the first ingredient. This means that the carbs in these chews come from a sugar source.

The dosage suggest that adults take 2-4 chews in a 24 hour period. That could mean you would be eating 8g of carbs. For that reason we do not recommend the Dulcolax Soft Chews if you are on the keto diet.

Dulcolax Stool Softener

The Dulcolax Stool Softener softener is a slower and more gentle type of stool softener. It contains docusate sodium, which works by drawing water into the stool to soften it versus stimulating the muscles of the bowel.

The Dulcolax Stool Softener comes in a liquid gel form, but rest assured that the tablets are sugar free. That makes them a good option for the keto diet.

Other Options for Keto Constipation

Constipation can be a common problem on the keto diet. This is because eliminating sources of carbohydrates, often leads us to eliminate sources of fiber. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion.

Eat More Fiber

This is why we recommend eat keto friendly vegetables that are high in fiber. This additional dietary fiber is very important for digestion and you can get the fiber without having a huge impact on your net carb count.

Some foods that are higher in fiber bow low in carbs include:  leafy greens, nuts and seeds, avocado, and low-carb vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini.

Drink More Water

Another common cause of digestive issues on the keto diet is a lack of hydration. The easy answer here is to just drink more water. It’s recommended that you try to get at least 8-10 glasses of water per day on keto. You can increase that even more if you are highly active or live in a hot climate.

Exercise More Often

Regular exercise is another method that can help with constipation, believe it or not. Exercises has move the muscles of the digestive tract, which can have a natural effect on stimulating bowel movement.

Take Fiber Supplements

If you have a hard time getting enough fiber into your diet when you are on keto, you can look into taking a fiber supplement. Keep in mind that fiber is not digested by the body, so it doesn’t impact your carb count. However, you want to avoid any fiber drink that is sweetened with a carb heavy sweetener.

The best supplement is plain psyllium husk powder. You can mix this with any low carb drink of your choice.

Conclusion

Most forms of Dulcolax are actually keto friendly. The tables, suppositories, liquid, and stool softener don’t contain enough carbohydrates to have an impact on the keto diet.

The one product that you want to steer away from is the Dulcolax Soft Chews. These contain corn syrups and are too high in carbs to be taken on the keto diet.

We’ve also touched on some other ways to help prevent keto poop issues such as consuming more fiber and drinking more water. In general, it’s much easier to prevent constipation than it is to have to treat it rapidly.

The Author

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John has been learning about and experimenting with low carbohydrate diets since the around 2006. He has successfully used the keto diet to lose over significant amounts of weight in the past and currently follows a low carb diet for a variety of reasons including general health, weight management, and managing mood levels.

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