Bisacodyl Induced Severe Rectal Ulcer with Proctitis

Constipation is a common, chronic digestive disease with a prevalence of 2%–27% in North America [1]. Older people, especially those over 65 years old, have a propensity for constipation and a prevalence of constipation of 30%–40%. Moreover, compared with Caucasian populations, non-Caucasians have 30% higher incidence [2]. Constipation treatment regimens include stimulating laxatives, osmotic agents, diet modifications, and stool softeners [2]. Among these, the stimulating laxative bisacodyl is widely used for both adults and children [3]. The most common side effects of bisacodyl are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and occasionally nausea, headache, and gastroenteritis [3,4]. No case of proctitis and rectal ulcer after taking oral bisacodyl has been previously reported. We report a case of severe proctitis and rectal ulcers associated with oral bisacodyl, and review the literature. Case