Is Dulcolax Keto Friendly?

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If you’re having constipation issues, you may wonder 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 any alternatives can help with your keto digestive issues.

Short answer: Yes, Dulcolax is keto-friendly if you avoid the versions of the product that are sweetened with sugar.

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 bowel muscles to contract and help remove waste from the body. This motion 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 usage since longer use can lead to a dependence on laxatives.

Is Dulcolax Keto Friendly?

First, you must understand that several products are sold under the Dulcolax brand. Each product may contain different ingredients, so we must evaluate each individually.

Dulcolax Laxative Tablets

The laxative tables are the most common form of Dulcolax. It’s a viral 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 excellent 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 impact your keto diet, the amount contained in Dulcolax Liquid is probably insufficient to cause concern.

Dulcolax Soft Chews

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 suggests that adults take 2-4 chews in 24 hours. That could mean you would be eating 8g of carbs. Therefore, 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 stool softener. It contains docusate sodium, which draws water into the stool to soften it versus stimulating the bowel muscles.

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. There are plenty of keto fiber supplements that can help.

Eat More Fiber

This is why we recommend eating keto-friendly vegetables that are high in fiber. This additional dietary fiber is essential for digestion; you can get the thread without greatly impacting 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 drink more water. You should try getting at least 8-10 glasses of water daily 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. Exercise moves 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. Remember that the body does not digest fiber, so it doesn’t impact your carb count.

However, avoid any fiber drink 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 keto-friendly. The tables, suppositories, liquid, and stool softeners don’t contain enough carbohydrates to impact 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 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.