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Docusate

Docusate is a laxative medication used to treat constipation by softening stool. It can be taken orally as capsules, liquid, or syrup, or rectally as an enema. Docusate works locally in the intestines to increase fluid secretion and decrease absorption, softening stool. It has few side effects but is not absorbed systemically and its effectiveness over placebo for treating constipation has been questioned in some studies.

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57 views3 pages

Docusate

Docusate is a laxative medication used to treat constipation by softening stool. It can be taken orally as capsules, liquid, or syrup, or rectally as an enema. Docusate works locally in the intestines to increase fluid secretion and decrease absorption, softening stool. It has few side effects but is not absorbed systemically and its effectiveness over placebo for treating constipation has been questioned in some studies.

Uploaded by

Aaliyah Orallo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Docusate is a medication used to treat constipation associated with dry, hard

stools, or opioid induced constipation. Docusate, or dioctyl sulfosuccinate, is a


stool softener indicated for the treatment of constipation

Docusate is a type of medicine called a laxative. It helps to soften your poo and
makes your bowel movements easier if you have problems pooing
(constipation).

It is helpful when you have difficulty going to the toilet because of dry poos or
piles (haemorrhoids) or if you have a tear in the lining of your intestine near
your anus (anal fissure).

You may also be given docusate if you're going to have an x-ray of your
stomach. It can help you empty your bowels beforehand.

Docusate comes as capsules and as a liquid that you swallow. It also comes as
an enema. This is a tube of liquid medicine which you squeeze into your anus
(bottom).

Docusate is available on prescription or to buy from pharmacies. There is one


brand called DulcoEase that you can buy in pharmacies and shops.

Generic Name: Docusate

Classification: Laxatives, Stool Softener

Prototype of drug: Docusate comes as capsules and as a liquid that you


swallow. It also comes as an enema. Docusate can be orally or rectally
administered.

Brands available: Colace, DSS, Albert Docusate, Docusate Calcium, docusate


sodium, DulcoEase, Phillips Liqui Gels, Silace, Soflax

Dosage: 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)

Pregnancy Category: 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.

Docusate has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA.
Docusate has been assigned to Risk Factor C by Briggs et al. No congenital
defects have been associated with docusate use during pregnancy. Docusate
should only be used during pregnancy if there are no other alternatives and the
benefit outweighs the risk.

Mode of Action: Docusate’s mechanism of action was investigated in 1985 on


healthy patients.1 Docusate was added directly to the jejunum based on
calculated concentrations of docusate in the jejunum.1 At this concentration,
there was an increase in secretion of water, sodium, chloride, and potassium as
well as a decrease in absorption of glucose and bicarbonate1. Based on in vitro
data, the authors suggested this effect was due to an increase in intracellular
cyclic AMP either directly through docusate or E series prostaglandins.1

Pharmacokinetics: Docusate is not absorbed systemically6,8. As the actions


of docusate are local and it is not absorbed, the pharmacokinetic parameters
are not available8.

Pharmacodynamics: Docusate sodium is a laxative and an anionic detergent


that supposedly promotes incorporation of water and fats into stool through a
reduction in surface tension, resulting in softer fecal mass 6,4. Docusate's onset
of action is 6-72 hours orally and 2-15 minutes rectally 6,7. The effects of
docusate are thought to be exerted locally in the jejunum1.

Nursing Consideration:

Side effects of docusate include:


 Abdominal cramping
 Stomach pain
 Diarrhea
 Excessive bowel activity
 Intestinal obstruction
 Throat irritation
 Rash
 Docusate capsules and liquid take 1 or 2 days to work.
 The enema usually works within 20 minutes, so it's best to stay close to a
toilet.
 Only give docusate to a child under 12 years old if their doctor prescribes
it.
 Do not take it for more than a week without talking with your doctor.
 Common side effects include feeling sick (nausea).
 Most adults and children aged 12 years and over can safely take
docusate.
 Never give docusate to a child under 12 years old unless their doctor
prescribes it.
 Docusate is not suitable for some people. To make sure it is safe for you,
tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:
 ever had an allergic reaction to docusate or any other medicines
 a blockage in your gut (intestine)
 stomach pains
 been feeling sick or have vomited in the last 24 hours
 Do not use an enema containing docusate if you have:
 piles (haemorrhoids) or bleeding from your bottom
 a sore around your anus (anal fissure)
 ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, or other inflammatory bowel
condition
 parlytic ileus (when the muscles in your bowel are not able to move food
and liquid along)

What’s Unique with the drug?:

Docusate sodium is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential


Medicines. In 2018, it was the 142nd most commonly prescribed medication in
the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions. Some studies claim
that docusate is not more effective than a placebo for improving constipation.

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