As NASA prepares for the Artemis II mission—marking humanity’s return to lunar orbit—a familiar digestive health solution is heading to space alongside the crew.

 

A brand from Opella will be part of the official NASA astronaut formulary, with Dulcolax included in the mission’s 10-day journey as part of the agency’s first aid kit for astronauts. In India, the product was renamed Dulcoflex in 2017.

 

Spaceflight may be extraordinary, but the human body still operates under earthly constraints. In microgravity, intestinal activity can slow significantly, and changes in the gut microbiome have been observed. Combined with limited movement and a tightly controlled diet, constipation remains a common and persistent challenge for astronauts.

 

That’s why NASA continues to rely on tested, predictable solutions. Dulcolax is currently the only brand included in NASA’s formulary and first aid kit for the relief of constipation and related symptoms such as bloating, straining, and hard stools. Its long-running use aboard the International Space Station underscores decades of operational trust in spaceflight conditions.

 

The active ingredient, bisacodyl, works by stimulating natural gut movement, helping restore bowel activity predictably in as little as six hours. It is positioned as a gentle, non-habit forming option—an important factor in environments where medical reliability is critical.

 

Nupur Gurbaxani – Director Brand & innovation, Opella (India) said, “Being included in NASA’s mission is a testament to the trust and reliability that healthcare professionals and consumers have placed in our brand for decades. This highlights our dedication to delivering dependable solutions that perform everywhere - from your home to outer space.”