Name
VERECOLENE CM 5 mg coated tablets
Bisacodyl


What it is and what it is used for
VERECOLENE CM contains bisacodyl as an active ingredient that belongs to a class of drugs called contact laxatives, which are used to facilitate the elimination of feces. The laxative effect is obtained thanks to the ability of bisacodyl to soften the feces and stimulate intestinal movements.

VERECOLENE CM is indicated for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation.

Talk to your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days of treatment.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not take VERECOLENE CM if:
• are allergic to bisacodyl or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• suffer from blockage of the passage of intestinal contents (paralytic ileus), obstruction or narrowing (stenosis) of the intestine;
• have abdominal pain of unknown cause (including appendicitis, acute inflammatory bowel disease and severe abdominal pain), associated with nausea and vomiting;
• has pain and/or bleeding from the rectum for which the cause is unknown;
• is in a severe state of dehydration manifested by dry and sticky mouth, thirst, scarcity of urine, absence or scarcity of tears and dry skin;
• if you have an intestinal disorder due to inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis);
• is pregnant or breast-feeding, unless otherwise specifically indicated by your doctor.

Do not use VERECOLENE CM in children under 6 years of age.


Warnings and precautions
Do not use VERECOLENE CM for more than 7 days; use for longer periods of time requires a doctor's prescription.

Frequent or prolonged use or excessive doses may cause persistent diarrhea with consequent loss of water (dehydration), mineral salts, especially potassium (hypokalemia) and other essential nutritional factors.
Water loss manifests itself with thirst and scarcity of urine (oliguria). Potassium loss can cause even serious side effects, such as heart and muscle dysfunction, especially in case of simultaneous treatment with certain heart drugs (cardiac glycosides), with drugs that increase diuresis (diuretics) or that contain cortisone (corticosteroids).

Be particularly careful with the abuse of laxatives, as especially contact laxatives (stimulant laxatives) can cause dependence (and, therefore, the possible need to gradually increase the dosage), chronic constipation and loss of normal intestinal functions (intestinal atony).
Talk to your doctor before using VERECOLENE CM:
• if he is elderly or not in good health;
• if you suffer from kidney problems (renal insufficiency);
• if you have heart problems;
• if you have diabetes;
• if you suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension);
• if the need for a laxative arises from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that lasts for more than two weeks or if the use of the laxative has no effect;
• in children aged between 6 and 12 years.

STOP treatment with VERECOLENE CM and contact your doctor if you notice:
• abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, a possible sign of serious intestinal disease (ischaemia of the colon mucosa);
• blood from the rectum, even mixed with feces (hematochezia);
• dry, sticky mouth, thirst, little urine, no or few tears and dry skin (signs of severe dehydration), especially if you have kidney problems or are elderly.

Talk to your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days of treatment.


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking VERECOLENE CM immediately and contact your doctor if you experience any of the following conditions:
• allergic reactions, even serious ones, such as: itching, more or less sudden appearance of skin lesions, for example changes in colour in patches or widespread (rash), swelling (angioedema) of the face, eyes, lips, throat with difficulty breathing, with possible sudden drop in blood pressure (anaphylactic reactions);
• abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, a possible sign of serious intestinal disease (ischaemia of the colon mucosa);
• blood from the rectum, even mixed with feces (hematochezia);
• dehydration, which manifests itself with a dry and sticky mouth, thirst, little urine, no or little tears and dry skin.

Other side effects
Talk to your doctor if you notice:

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• abdominal pain or cramps;
• nausea and diarrhea.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
• vomit;
• abdominal or rectal problems;
• dizziness.

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)
• fainting (syncope);
• inflammation of the colon (colitis).

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse .
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.