Experiences with

Docusate

Docusate is a type of medicine called a laxative. It helps to soften your poo and makes it easier for you to go to the toilet if you have problems pooing (constipation).

Docusate may help you if:

• your poos are dry and it makes it difficult for you to poo
• you have piles (haemorrhoids)
• you have a tear in the lining of your intestine, near your anus (anal fissure)
• you're going to have a stomach x-ray as 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 that you squeeze into your anus (bottom).

Docusate is available on prescription and to buy from pharmacies.

Who can take or use docusate

Most adults and children aged 12 years and over can take docusate.

Never give docusate to a child under 12 years old unless their doctor prescribes it or a pharmacist recommends it.

Docusate is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take it if you have:

• ever had an allergic reaction to docusate or any other medicine
• a blockage in your gut (intestine)
• stomach pains
• been feeling sick or have vomited in the last 24 hours

Do not use a docusate enema if you have:

• piles (haemorrhoids) or bleeding from your bottom
• a tear or sore around your anus (anal fissure)
• ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or any other inflammatory bowel condition
• paralytic ileus (when the muscles in your bowel are not able to move food and liquid along)

Dosage

Docusate comes as capsules, liquid and an enema.

The usual dose of docusate for adults is 1 capsule, taken 3 times a day. Do not take more than 5 capsules in a day.

If you're taking docusate as a liquid, the usual dose is two or three 5ml spoonfuls. Take this dose 3 times a day.

To use docusate as an enema, 1 tube of liquid is usually all you need. If you need a 2nd dose, you can use it later in the day or the next day.

You should start to feel more comfortable within 1 to 3 days of treatment. You can reduce the dose as you start to feel better. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise on how to do this if you're not sure.

How to take or use it

If you take capsules, swallow it whole with a glass of water.

If you have docusate as a liquid, it comes with a plastic cup or spoon to measure the dose. If you do not have a cup or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen spoon as it will not measure the right amount.

When you've swallowed it, drink plenty of water or have another drink, such as milk or orange juice.

If a doctor has prescribed docusate liquid (or a pharmacist recommended it) for your child, you can give it to them by adding the dose to a glass of fruit juice or milk. Make sure they drink it within 30 minutes.

If you use a docusate enema, squeeze the tube of liquid gently into your anus. The information leaflet that comes with the enema will explain how to do this.

Docusate does not usually upset your stomach. You can take the capsules or liquid with or without food.

Try to take your medicine at regular times during the day, for example, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There's no specific time of day to use an enema but it works quickly (usually between 5 and 20 minutes), so use it when you know you'll be near a toilet.

Drink plenty of fluids such as water (6 to 8 glasses a day) to stop your constipation getting worse.

How long to take it for

You can take docusate for up to 5 days. If you take it for longer, your bowel can start to rely on it, rather than working on its own.

If you're taking docusate as an enema, do not use it for more than a few days at a time.

If you're still constipated after taking docusate for 5 days, talk to your doctor.

If your constipation is caused by an illness or a medicine you're taking, your doctor will advise you about when it's best to stop taking docusate.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose of docusate, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you take too much

Taking an extra dose of docusate as a one-off is unlikely to harm you.

If you have taken a lot more than the recommended dose it's a good idea to drink lots of water after. You may get diarrhoea and stomach pain, but this will usually get better within 1 or 2 days.

If you're worried, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.

Common side effects

There are things you can do to help cope with these common side effects of docusate:

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to docusate.

These are not all the side effects of docusate. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Docusate and pregnancy

Docusate is occasionally used in pregnancy.

There's no evidence to suggest it will harm your baby. However, other types of laxative are usually tried first because there's more information to say that they are safe.

If you're pregnant, you can try to treat constipation without taking a medicine. This involves eating more fibre and drinking plenty of fluids. It may also help to do gentle exercise.

If diet and lifestyle changes do not work, your doctor or midwife may recommend a laxative such as lactulose or Fybogel. These laxatives are quite often used during pregnancy.

Docusate and breastfeeding

If diet and lifestyle changes, such as eating more fibre, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising, do not help your constipation, it's OK to take or use docusate if you're breastfeeding. Always take or use it for the shortest time needed.

Drinking plenty of fluids is also important to help with breast milk supply.

It's not known how much docusate gets into breast milk, but it's only likely to be a tiny amount. It should not cause any side effects in your baby.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor, midwife, doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

Docusate and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that docusate affects fertility in men or women.

Cautions with other medicines

Docusate should not be taken with mineral oil laxatives such as liquid paraffin.

Mixing docusate with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with docusate. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Related links

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