Stool Softener (Docusate Cal)

Drug overview for STOOL SOFTENER (DOCUSATE CAL) (docusate calcium):

Generic name: docusate calcium (DOCK-you-sate)
Drug class: Laxatives
Therapeutic class: Gastrointestinal Therapy Agents

The calcium and sodium salts of docusate are anionic, surface-active agents (surfactants) that have emulsifying and wetting properties and are used as stool softeners.

No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.

DRUG IMAGES

GNP STOOL SOFTENER 240 MG SFGL

The following indications for STOOL SOFTENER (DOCUSATE CAL) (docusate calcium) have been approved by the FDA:

Indications:
Constipation

Professional Synonyms:
None.

The following dosing information is available for STOOL SOFTENER (DOCUSATE CAL) (docusate calcium):

Dosing
Administration
STOOL SOFTENER
DOCUSATE CALCIUM

Docusate salts should be administered in doses only large enough to produce softening of the stools. The oral dosage of the docusate salts varies widely according to the severity of the condition and the response of the patient and should be adjusted to individual response.

The usual oral dosage of docusate salts in adults and children older than 12 years of age is 50-360 mg daily. The usual oral dosage is 50-150 mg daily in children 2-12 years of age and 25 mg daily in children younger than 2 years of age. Alternatively, children 3-6 years of age may receive oral docusate sodium dosages of 20-60 mg daily and children younger than 3 years of age may receive 10-40 mg daily.

Doses at the higher end of these dosage ranges may be required initially. The drugs may be administered in divided doses but usually one bedtime dose is sufficient. One manufacturer suggests adding 50-100 mg of docusate sodium as an oral liquid (not syrup) to saline or oil retention enemas for rectal use.

Docusate salts are administered orally. The sodium salt of docusate may be administered rectally. Oral liquids (not syrups) of docusate sodium should be diluted with 120 mL of milk, fruit juice, or infant formula to mask their bitter taste.

Dosing information for STOOL SOFTENER
DRUG LABEL	DOSING TYPE	DOSING INSTRUCTIONS
GNP STOOL SOFTENER 240 MG SFGL	Maintenance	Adults take 1 capsule (240 mg) by oral route once daily as needed

Generic dosing information for DOCUSATE CALCIUM
DRUG LABEL	DOSING TYPE	DOSING INSTRUCTIONS
DOCUSATE CAL 240 MG SOFTGEL	Maintenance	Adults take 1 capsule (240 mg) by oral route once daily as needed
DOCUSATE CAL 240 MG CAPSULE	Maintenance	Adults take 1 capsule (240 mg) by oral route once daily as needed

The following drug interaction information is available for STOOL SOFTENER (DOCUSATE CAL) (docusate calcium):

Contraindicated
Severe
Moderate

There are 0 contraindications.

There are 2 severe interactions. These drug interactions can produce serious consequences in most patients. Actions required for severe interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration scheduling, and providing additional patient monitoring. Review the full interaction monograph for more information.

Drug Interaction	Drug Names
Trofinetide/Laxatives SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Trofinetide commonly causes diarrhea of mild to moderate severity. Laxatives may increase the incidence or severity of diarrhea.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of laxatives with trofinetide may increase the risk of severe diarrhea.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Patients should stop laxatives before starting trofinetide. If diarrhea occurs, consider anti-diarrheal treatment and monitor hydration status. If severe diarrhea or dehydration occurs, interrupt, reduce dose, or discontinue trofinetide.(1) DISCUSSION: In clinical trials, 85% of patients on trofinetide developed diarrhea. Concurrent use of laxatives may increase this risk.(1)	DAYBUE
Tenapanor/Laxatives; Stool Softeners SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Tenapanor commonly causes diarrhea of mild to moderate severity. Laxatives and stool softeners may increase the incidence or severity of diarrhea.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of laxatives or stool softeners with tenapanor may increase the risk of severe diarrhea.(1) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of tenapanor states that patients should be instructed to avoid stool softeners and laxatives with tenapanor. If severe diarrhea occurs, tenapanor should be discontinued.(1) DISCUSSION: In clinical trials, 43-53% of CKD patients on dialysis treated with tenapanor developed diarrhea. Diarrhea usually occurred soon after treatment initiation and was severe in 5% of patients.(1)	XPHOZAH

Drug Interaction

Drug Names

Trofinetide/Laxatives

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Trofinetide commonly causes diarrhea of mild to moderate severity. Laxatives may increase the incidence or severity of diarrhea.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of laxatives with trofinetide may increase the risk of severe diarrhea.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Patients should stop laxatives before starting trofinetide. If diarrhea occurs, consider anti-diarrheal treatment and monitor hydration status. If severe diarrhea or dehydration occurs, interrupt, reduce dose, or discontinue trofinetide.(1)

DISCUSSION: In clinical trials, 85% of patients on trofinetide developed diarrhea. Concurrent use of laxatives may increase this risk.(1)

DAYBUE

Tenapanor/Laxatives; Stool Softeners

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Tenapanor commonly causes diarrhea of mild to moderate severity. Laxatives and stool softeners may increase the incidence or severity of diarrhea.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of laxatives or stool softeners with tenapanor may increase the risk of severe diarrhea.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of tenapanor states that patients should be instructed to avoid stool softeners and laxatives with tenapanor. If severe diarrhea occurs, tenapanor should be discontinued.(1)

DISCUSSION: In clinical trials, 43-53% of CKD patients on dialysis treated with tenapanor developed diarrhea. Diarrhea usually occurred soon after treatment initiation and was severe in 5% of patients.(1)

XPHOZAH

There are 0 moderate interactions.

Contraindication List
Appendicitis
Gastrointestinal obstruction

Moderate List
Fecal incontinence

The following adverse reaction information is available for STOOL SOFTENER (DOCUSATE CAL) (docusate calcium):

Overview
Severe
Less Severe

Adverse reaction overview.

No enhanced Common Adverse Effects information available for this drug.

There are 1 severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
None.	None.

Rare/Very Rare
Skin rash

There are 1 less severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
None.	None.

Rare/Very Rare
Abdominal pain with cramps

The following precautions are available for STOOL SOFTENER (DOCUSATE CAL) (docusate calcium):

Pediatric
Pregnant
Lactation
Geriatric

No enhanced Pediatric Use information available for this drug.

Contraindicated

None

Severe Precaution

None

Management or Monitoring Precaution

None

No enhanced Pregnancy information available for this drug.

No enhanced Lactation information available for this drug.

No enhanced Geriatric Use information available for this drug.

Constipation
K59.0	Constipation
K59.00	Constipation, unspecified
K59.01	Slow transit constipation
K59.03	Drug induced constipation
K59.04	Chronic idiopathic constipation
K59.09	Other constipation