Docusate

(dock-you-sate)

Trade/other name(s): Colace, Diocto-K, dioctyl potassium sulfosuccinate, Diosuccin, DOK-250, Doxinate, Duosol, Laxinate 100

Why would this drug be used?

Docusate calcium, docusate potassium, and docusate sodium are a part of the class of drugs known as stool softeners. These drugs are used to treat constipation. Docusate may also be used to help prevent constipation while a person is taking opioid pain medicines, which slow down the intestines. You can buy docusate over the counter, without a prescription.

How does this drug work?

Docusate increases the amount of water that the stool absorbs as it passes through the intestines. The more water content, the softer the stool.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor…

• If you are allergic to anything, including medicines, dyes, additives, or foods.
• If you have nausea, vomiting, rectal bleeding, unexplained abdominal pain, blocked intestine, or any disease of the stomach or intestine. Something other than constipation may be causing your problem, and laxatives may worsen it.
• If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if there is any chance of pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug could affect the fetus.
• About any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking, including vitamins and herbs. In fact, keeping a written list of each of these medicines (including the doses of each and when you take them) with you in case of emergency may help prevent complications if you get sick.

Interactions with other drugs

Do not take mineral oil if you are taking docusate. It may cause the mineral oil to be absorbed into your body.

Other medicines may not work as well if taken at the same time as laxatives or stool softeners. Do not take docusate within 2 hours of your other medicines.

Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about the effects of using docusate along with other medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements, and whether alcohol can cause problems with this medicine.

Interactions with foods

No serious interactions with food are known at this time. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about whether foods may be a problem.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

How is this drug taken or given?

Docusate comes as a soft-gel cap that is taken by mouth. There are also liquid or syrup forms of the drug that come with a dropper for measuring. If you do not like the taste of liquid docusate, try mixing it in a glass of water or juice.

Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the directions on the label. If you're unclear about any of the information, ask your doctor or nurse to explain it to you. Store the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets.

Precautions

It may take up to 3 days for docusate to work. Let your doctor know if stools are still hard after taking the medicine for a week.

To help this medicine work better drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquid every day.

Call your doctor or nurse if you have vomiting, stomach pain, or abdominal cramping.

Call your doctor right away if you have skin rash, hives (welts on the skin), swelling of the face, throat, mouth or tongue, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

If you are taking opioid pain relievers, you will need to take laxatives regularly to counter their action on the bowel. This helps to prevent severe complications such as impaction. Let your doctor or nurse know if you haven't had a bowel movement for 3 days.

To help avoid constipation, try to drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid a day. Increase the amount of fiber you eat in foods by eating fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, and whole-grain breads and cereal. Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise may help you.

Possible side effects

Should you have any of these side effects talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.

Rare

• abdominal cramping*
• rash or allergic reaction

*See "Precautions" section for more detailed information.

There are some other side effects not listed above that can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop these or any other problems.

FDA approval

This drug appears to pre-date the current FDA approval process, which would mean it was not required to get formal FDA approval.

Disclaimer: This information does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for talking with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical needs.