For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker. The different classes of commonly used laxatives for treating and managing constipation are listed below. You may report side effects to the FDA at FDA-1088. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of docusate sodium in children younger than 3 years of age. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.

As a result, docusate is not featured on the FDA’s rundown of authorized drugs, and there are no approved indications for its use. 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. This will help them know if docusate is right for you. Storage instructions can vary among docusate products.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider. Use a specially marked oral syringe, spoon, or dropper to measure each dose. Mix the dose in 6 to 8 ounces of milk, fruit juice, or infant formula before taking. Stop using this medication and contact your care team if you have rectal bleeding or do not have a bowel movement after use. These could be signs of a more serious condition. Docusate sodium and senna are two different types of laxatives combined in one formula.

Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use docusate while breastfeeding. It is not known if or how docusate could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Are you currently using Docusate (Colace, Dulcolax Stool Softener, and others)?

• The goal is for the stool to become softer and move through the intestinal tract more easily.
• Do not use for more than one week without advice from your care team.
• Tell your doctor right away if you have rectal bleeding or fail to have a bowel movement after using this medicine.
• The non-pharmacological management of chronic constipation begins with patient education and adjusting dietary and lifestyle habits.

Moreover, increased physical activity has been linked to lower rates Docusate info 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 is used to treat occasional constipation. Some medications and conditions can make constipation more likely.

• Docusate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious.
• National Library of Medicine, DailyMed resource.
• This helps soften your poop and makes it easier to pass through your digestive tract.
• The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
• For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
• No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of docusate sodium in geriatric patients.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Docusate?

Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. If you are using docusate as an enema, it is only for rectal use. Lubricate the tip before inserting it gently into the rectum. Follow the product instructions, and ask your health care provider if you have any questions. Read and follow the instructions for the product you have, and make sure you understand how to use it properly.

Enema, Rectal (Sodium)

In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Colace® is a brand of docusate, which is a laxative that comes in a capsule form. It softens your stool to make bowel movements easier.

Your health care provider will let you know if you should use docusate while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water. Do not take your medication more often than directed. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call FDA-1088.

It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives. DOCUSATE (doc CUE sayt) prevents and treats occasional constipation. It works by softening the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement.

Medications & Supplements

Stop using docusate and contact your health care provider right away if you have rectal bleeding or blood in your poop or are not able to poop after using the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have constipation with stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. These could be symptoms of a more serious condition.

Their effective communication skills enable them to raise concerns and contribute significantly to patient care by alerting other clinicians. Ensuring patient education on the effectiveness of docusate is of utmost importance. 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.

This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Docusate softens the stool by reducing the surface tension of the oil-water interface in the stool, which increases the absorption of water and fat into the stool. Do not use docusate for more than one week unless your health care provider tells you to do so. Docusate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider. Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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. DOCUSATE SODIUM; SENNA (doc CUE sayt SOE dee um; SEN na) prevents and treats occasional constipation. It also helps the muscles in your intestines move stool.

Docusate Solution, Suspension, or Syrup

Consult your doctor before taking docusate if pregnant or breastfeeding. A radiologist can provide valuable information through imaging studies about bowel pathology by collaborating with a physician or surgeon. A dietician is critical in modifying dietary risk factors. A pharmacist will verify that the patient is not taking any medications that could worsen constipation and recommend suitable alternatives if necessary. An otorhinolaryngologist can use docusate for cerumen impaction treatment. Nurses play a crucial role in the interprofessional team, providing direct patient care, education, and counseling in both outpatient and hospital settings.