What is the Difference Between Bisacodyl and Glycerin Suppositories?

Bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories are both used to treat constipation, but they have some differences in terms of effectiveness and user ratings:

1. Effectiveness: Bisacodyl is more effective than glycerin as a colonic stimulant in inducing high amplitude propagated contractions (HAPCs). In a study with 109 trials, bisacodyl was effective in 79.7% of cases, while glycerin suppositories were effective in 42% of cases. Bisacodyl may be considered as a step-up therapy if there is a failure or suboptimal clinical response to glycerin.
2. User Ratings: Bisacodyl has an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 from a total of 1560 ratings on Drugs.com, with 39% of reviewers reporting a positive effect and 42% reporting a negative effect. In contrast, Fleet Glycerin Suppositories Adult has an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from a total of 10 ratings, with 67% of reviewers reporting a positive effect and 22% reporting a negative effect.

Both bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories work by increasing the amount of fluid in the intestines, which helps to stimulate bowel movements. However, due to the differences in effectiveness and user ratings, bisacodyl may be considered as a more potent option for treating constipation compared to glycerin suppositories.

Comparative Table: Bisacodyl vs Glycerin Suppositories

Bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories are both used to treat constipation, but they have different effectiveness levels and mechanisms of action. Here is a table comparing the two:

Bisacodyl suppositories are more effective than glycerin suppositories in treating constipation, as they have a stimulant effect on the colon. Glycerin suppositories, on the other hand, serve mainly as a local lubricant in the lower colon. However, glycerin suppositories have a higher average rating than bisacodyl suppositories, with 100% of reviewers reporting a positive effect.