From the Guidelines
Docusate sodium is a detergent/surfactant stool softener, which is a type of laxative that works by allowing water and lipids to penetrate the stool to hydrate and soften fecal material. This makes the stool softer and easier to pass. Unlike stimulant laxatives that increase intestinal contractions or bulk-forming laxatives that add volume to stool, docusate sodium simply softens the stool without directly stimulating bowel movements. It's commonly used to prevent constipation, especially in situations where straining should be avoided, such as after surgery, during pregnancy, or for patients with heart conditions or hemorrhoids. According to the most recent and highest quality study 1, docusate sodium is classified as a detergent/surfactant stool softener, which is a distinct class of laxatives. The usual adult dose is 50-300 mg daily, taken orally. While generally safe, docusate sodium may cause mild side effects like stomach cramps or throat irritation. For more severe constipation, it may need to be combined with other types of laxatives for effective relief.
Some key points to consider when using docusate sodium include:
- It typically takes 1-3 days to work effectively
- Common brand names include Colace, Docusol, and Surfak
- It is generally safe and well-tolerated, but may cause mild side effects
- It can be used in combination with other laxatives for more severe constipation
- It is often recommended as a first-line agent for preventing constipation in certain situations, such as after surgery or during pregnancy, due to its gentle and non-stimulant mechanism of action, as supported by studies such as 1 and 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Principal Display Panel - Blister – 100 mg DOCUSATE SODIUM, USP Stool Softener Laxative Softgel 100 mg Principal Display Panel – Carton – 100 mg NDC 60687- 129-01 DOCUSATE SODIUM, USP Stool Softener Laxative 100 mg 100 Softgels (10 x 10)
Docusate sodium is a stool softener type of laxative 2 2.
From the Research
Laxative Type
Mechanism of Action
- The exact mechanism of action of docusate sodium is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but it is known to be a stool softener that helps to increase the amount of water the stool absorbs in the gut, making it softer and easier to pass 3, 4, 5
Comparison with Other Laxatives
- Docusate sodium is often used in combination with other laxatives, such as sennosides, but its effectiveness compared to other laxatives is not well established 4
- The use of docusate sodium as a monotherapy or in combination with other laxatives may not be the most effective treatment for constipation, and its prescription may be a missed opportunity for deprescribing 5