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Drug overview for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium):
Generic name: DOCUSATE SODIUM (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.
Generic name: DOCUSATE SODIUM (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
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The following indications for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium) have been approved by the FDA:
Indications:
Constipation
Professional Synonyms:
None.
Indications:
Constipation
Professional Synonyms:
None.
The following dosing information is available for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium):
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.
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.
| DRUG LABEL | DOSING TYPE | DOSING INSTRUCTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| DOCUSATE SODIUM 100 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (100 mg) by oral route once daily at bedtime as needed |
| DRUG LABEL | DOSING TYPE | DOSING INSTRUCTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| DOCUSATE SODIUM 100 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (100 mg) by oral route once daily at bedtime as needed |
The following drug interaction information is available for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium):
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 |
There are 0 moderate interactions.
The following contraindication information is available for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium):
Drug contraindication overview.
No enhanced Contraindications information available for this drug.
No enhanced Contraindications information available for this drug.
There are 2 contraindications.
Absolute contraindication.
| Contraindication List |
|---|
| Appendicitis |
| Gastrointestinal obstruction |
There are 0 severe contraindications.
There are 1 moderate contraindications.
Clinically significant contraindication, where the condition can be managed or treated before the drug may be given safely.
| Moderate List |
|---|
| Fecal incontinence |
The following adverse reaction information is available for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium):
Adverse reaction overview.
No enhanced Common Adverse Effects information available for this drug.
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 DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium):
No enhanced Pediatric Use information available for this drug.
Contraindicated
Severe Precaution
Management or Monitoring Precaution
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.
The following prioritized warning is available for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium):
No warning message for this drug.
No warning message for this drug.
The following icd codes are available for DOCUSATE SODIUM (docusate sodium)'s list of indications:
| 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 |
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