Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication. It is thought to work by lowering the surface tension of hard, dry, bowel motions, allowing water and fats to penetrate, which makes the bowel motion softer and easier to pass. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device/spoon.
Additional Dosage Information
This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at FDA-1088.
DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS CENTER
Use Colace (Docusate Oral/Rectal) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. There are many brands and formulations of docusate available. Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate is of low toxicity for crustaceans such as the hermit crab Clibanarius erythropus and the shrimp Crangon crangon. Toxicity for molluscs varies widely, with 48-hour LD50 found between 5 mg/L for the common limpet and 100 mg/L for the common periwinkle. Various species of phytoplankton have an LD50 around 8 mg/L. Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc.
Why Would I Have Mucus in My Stool?
Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat. After using the enema, lie down on your left side for at least 30 minutes to allow the liquid to distribute throughout your intestines. Avoid using the bathroom, and hold in the enema at least 1 hour, or all night if possible. Drink plenty of liquids while you are using docusate. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Docusate was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1957. 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. The main medical use of docusate sodium is to treat constipation, acting as a laxative and stool softener.
In painful anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoid and anal fissures, it can help avoid pain caused by straining during bowel movements. 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, also known as dioctyl sulfosuccinate, is of 2 types that can be administered orally. They come in the form of either docusate sodium or docusate calcium salts.
This medication is used to treat occasional constipation. Some medications and conditions can make constipation more likely. alcoholism: can people with alcohol use disorder recover Stool softeners such as docusate are often the first method used for preventing and treating this type of constipation.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Irritated throat (with liquid or syrup forms) may also occur. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often or for longer than directed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. If you are taking the over-the-counter product to self-treat, read and follow all directions on the product package before taking this medication.
- This makes it easier to pass, especially when you need to avoid pushing or straining.
- The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
- They come in the form of either docusate sodium or docusate calcium salts.
- Stop using this medication and contact your care team if you experience any rectal bleeding or do not have a bowel movement after use.
The effects of docusate are thought to be exerted locally in the jejunum1. Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to senna, sennosides, or docusate; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Docusate and senna is a combination medicine used to treat occasional constipation. The senna component of the medication contains sennosides, compounds extracted from the leaves or fruits of the plant Senna alexandrina. Sennosides irritate the intestinal lining stimulating peristalsis, a series of contractions by which intestines propel their contents, resulting in bowel movement. The general idea is that if you take your stool softener at night, you might have a soft, easy poop in the morning.
You should not use DOK if you have a blockage in your intestines. Do not use docusate while you are sick with nausea, vomiting, or severe stomach pain. According to the product monograph, docusate is indicated for use when peristaltic stimulants are contraindicated, aiming to alleviate difficult or painful defecation. Docusate has no known severe, serious, or moderate interactions with other drugs.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other laxative or other stool softener that may contain ingredients similar to docusate or senna. Stop using this medication buspirone buspar and contact your care team if you experience any rectal bleeding or do not have a bowel movement after use. Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) as directed by your doctor.
Together, they can produce a bowel movement in six to twelve hours. The non-pharmacological management of chronic constipation begins with patient education and adjusting dietary and lifestyle habits. Clinicians must clarify to patients that not having a daily bowel movement is neither abnormal nor necessary. Moreover, increased physical dmt activity has been linked to lower rates of constipation.[2] The dietary changes should promote increased consumption of fluid and fiber-rich foods. If these adjustments do not effectively address constipation, then the use of laxatives becomes necessary. Docusate’s onset of action is 6-72 hours orally and 2-15 minutes rectally 7,8.
In Australia, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate is sold as Coloxyl and Coloxyl with senna. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. Since docusate is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule.