Docusate

Docusate is used to treat occasional constipation. Some medications and conditions can make constipation more likely. Stool softeners such as docusate are often the first method used for preventing and treating this type of constipation. Docusate is often used when straining to have a bowel movement should be avoided (e.g., after a heart attack or surgery).

• Docusate is a stool softener. It works by increasing the amount of water the stool absorbs in the gut, making the stool softer and easier to pass.
• Docusate is available under the following different brand names: Colace, DSS, Albert Docusate, Docusate Calcium, docusate sodium, DulcoEase, Phillips Liqui Gels, Silace, and Soflax.

Dosages of Docusate:

Adult and Pediatric Dosage Forms and Strengths

Capsule as sodium

• 50 mg
• 100 mg
• 250 mg

Capsule as calcium

• 240 mg

Tablet (adult only)

• 100 mg

Oral liquid

• 10 mg/mL
• 50 mg/15mL

Syrup

• 60mg/15mL

Enema, Rectal (Sodium)

• 100mg/5mL (pediatric only)
• 283 mg (5 mL)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Excessive use may result in dependence.

Stool Softener

Adult, Oral

• Docusate sodium: 50-300 mg orally once daily or divided doses
• Docusate calcium: 240 mg orally once/day

Adult, Rectal

• 283 mg/5mL (1 enema) rectally once daily to three times daily

Pediatric, Oral

• Docusate sodium
  • Children under 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
  • Children 2-12 years: 50-150 mg orally once/day or divided doses
  • Children over 12 years: 50-300 mg orally once daily or divided doses
• Docusate calcium
  • Children under 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established
  • Children over 12 years: 240 mg orally once/day

Pediatric, Rectal

• Children under 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 2-12 years: 100 mg/5 mL (1 enema) rectally once/day; alternatively, 283 mg/5 mL (1 enema) rectally once/day
• Children over 12 years: 283 mg/5mL (1 enema) rectally once daily to three times daily

Side effects of docusate include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Excessive bowel activity
• Intestinal obstruction
• Throat irritation
• Rash
• Low electrolyte levels (excessive use)
• Dependence (excessive use)

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

Docusate has no known severe, serious, or moderate interactions with other drugs.

Mild interactions of docusate include:

• mineral oil

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

• This medication contains docusate. Do not take Colace, DSS, Albert Docusate, Docusate Calcium, docusate sodium, DulcoEase, Phillips Liqui Gels, Silence, or Soflax if you are allergic to docusate or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Intestinal obstruction, symptoms of appendicitis or acute abdominal pain, fecal impaction
• Concomitant use of mineral oil
• Nausea or vomiting
• Use for longer than 7 days when self-medicating

Effects of Drug Abuse

• Excessive use may result in dependence

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Docusate?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Docusate?"

Cautions

• Electrolyte imbalance may occur with excessive use
• Excessive use may result in dependence
• Enema is for rectal use only; lubricate before insertion; discontinue use and notify health care professional if irritation occurs around the anus/rectal or if resistance is encountered with insertion; injury or damage to the rectum can occur if tube forced
• Before over-the-counter (OTC) use, the patient should contact a healthcare professional if stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting are present, or if a sudden change in bowel habits occurs and persists over 14 days
• The patient should discontinue use and notify healthcare professional if bleeding occurs, if bowel movement fails to occur after use, or need to continue use after using for 7 days

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use docusate with caution during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done.
• It is unknown whether docusate is excreted in the milk; it is compatible with nursing.