Docusate sodium (oral route)
Brand Name
USBrand Name
Colace
Col-Rite
Diocto
Diosuccin
Doc-Q-Lace
Doculax
Docu-Liquid
Docusil
Docu-Soft
Docusoft S
Docu-Syrup
Dok
D O S
Fleet Sof-Lax
Genasoft
Laxa-Basic 100
Octycine
Phillips’ Stool Softener Laxative
Silace
Uni Ease
CanadianBrand Name
Basic Care Stool Softener
Equate Stool Softener
GoodSense Stool Softener
Pms-Docusate Sodium
Description
Docusate sodium is used to relieve occasional constipation. It usually helps produce a bowel movement in 12 to 72 hours. This medicine is a stool softener.
This medicine is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) product.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule, Liquid Filled
- Solution
- Syrup
- Suspension
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. 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.
Pediatric
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. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of docusate sodium in geriatric patients.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. 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.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Droperidol
- Levomethadyl
- Licorice
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Nausea or vomiting or
- Stomach pain or
- Sudden change in bowel habits that lasts over 2 weeks—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
Follow the instructions on the medicine label.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with the cup it comes in, a teaspoon, or an oral syringe.
Take this medicine with 6 to 8 ounces of milk, juice, or infant formula to mask the bitter taste.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (solution): For constipation: Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 to 20 milliliters (mL) or 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls once a day.Children 6 to younger than 12 years of age—5 to 10 mL or 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once a day.Children 3 to younger than 6 years of age—2.5 to 5 mL or 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful once day.Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For constipation: Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 to 20 milliliters (mL) or 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls once a day.Children 6 to younger than 12 years of age—5 to 10 mL or 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once a day.Children 3 to younger than 6 years of age—2.5 to 5 mL or 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful once day.Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 to 20 milliliters (mL) or 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls once a day.
- Children 6 to younger than 12 years of age—5 to 10 mL or 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once a day.
- Children 3 to younger than 6 years of age—2.5 to 5 mL or 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful once day.
- Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For constipation: Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 to 20 milliliters (mL) or 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls once a day.Children 6 to younger than 12 years of age—5 to 10 mL or 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once a day.Children 3 to younger than 6 years of age—2.5 to 5 mL or 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful once day.Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 to 20 milliliters (mL) or 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls once a day.
- Children 6 to younger than 12 years of age—5 to 10 mL or 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once a day.
- Children 3 to younger than 6 years of age—2.5 to 5 mL or 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful once day.
- Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 to 20 milliliters (mL) or 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls once a day.
- Children 6 to younger than 12 years of age—5 to 10 mL or 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once a day.
- Children 3 to younger than 6 years of age—2.5 to 5 mL or 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful once day.
- Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
Do not use this medicine if you are also using mineral oil.
Tell your doctor right away if you have rectal bleeding or fail to have a bowel movement after using this medicine.
If your or your child’s condition does not improve for more than a week, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
- Black, tarry stools
- blood in stools
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
Portions of this document last updated: Aug. 01, 2025
Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2025. All rights reserved. Information is for End User’s use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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