Docusate Sodium is a stool softener that is used for occasional constipation especially in children. It makes the stool soft and easy to pass.

Docusate Uses:

• Stool softener:

  • Prevention of straining during passing stool and constipation associated with hard, dry stools;
  • relief of occasional constipation

• Off Label Use of Docusate in Adults:

  • Ceruminolytic

Docusate Dose in Adults

Note: The following are general dosing guidelines; refer to the specific product labeling for dosing instructions.

Docusate Dose in the treatment of Stool softener:

• Oral:

  • Docusate calcium:
    • 240 mg once a day
  • Docusate sodium:
    • 50 to 360 mg once a day or in divided doses

• Rectal:

  • 283 mg per 5 mL:
    • 283 mg (1 enema) 1 to 3 times a day Ceruminolytic (off-label use):

• Intra-aural: 

  • Administer 1 mL of docusate sodium in 2 mL syringes; if no clearance occur in 15 minutes, then irrigate with 50 or 100 mL of lukewarm normal saline

Docusate Dose in Childrens

Docusate Dose in the treatment as a stool softener for occasional constipation:

• Docusate sodium Oral Dosing:

  • Manufacturer's labeling:

    • Children 2 years to <12 years:
      • 50 to 150 mg/day in single or divided doses
    • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:
      • 50 to 360 mg/day in single or divided doses

  • Alternate dosing:

    • Weight-directed dosing:

      • Infants and Children:
        • 5 mg/kg/day in 1 to 4 divided doses

    • Age-directed (fixed) dosing:

      • Infants ≥6 months and Children <2 years:
        • 5 mg 3 times a day
      • Children ≥2 and Adolescents:
        • 40 to 150 mg/day in 1 to 4 divided doses; in children ≥12 years and adolescents, doses up to 500 mg/day divided may be used

• Rectal:

  • Children 2 to <12 years:

    • 100 mg/5 mL:
      • 100 mg (1 unit) once a day
    • 283 mg/5 mL:
      • 283 mg (1 unit) once a day

  • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:

    • 283 mg/5mL:
      • 283 mg (1 unit) 1 to 3 times a day

• Docusate calcium:

  • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:
    • 240 mg once a day

Docusate pregnancy Category: C

• A newborn was diagnosed with hypomagnesemia after a prolonged maternal use of the drug.
• Pregnant women can have constipation treated in a similar manner as nonpregnant women. If diet and lifestyle changes are unsuccessful, medications may be prescribed.
• Docusate is preferred as the initial treatment agent.
• DocusateSodium can be used when necessary, but it may not be as efficient as other agents.

Docusate use during breastfeeding:

• It is unknown if the drug is in breast milk. Because of systemic absorption, it may be preferable to use other agents for breastfeeding mothers.
• A breastfeeding infant developed diarrhea after her mother used docusate sodium and danthron.

Dose in Kidney disease:

• There are no dosage adjustments provided in the drug manufacturer’s labeling.

Dose in Liver disease:

• There are no dosage adjustments provided in the drug manufacturer’s labeling.

Side Effects of Docusate (Pedia-Lax):

• Respiratory:

  • Throat irritation (liquid)

Contraindications to Docusate (Pedia-Lax):

OTC labeling

• Do not use self-medication for more than seven days.
• If abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or both are present
• Or concomitantly or in combination with mineral oil (oral only)

Monitoring parameters:

Rectal:

• Periodic rectal exams are recommended in patients with impaired rectal function, especially loss of sensation.

How to administer Docusate (Pedia-Lax)?

• Oral:

  • You can either take one daily dose or multiple doses. Make sure to drink enough fluids. To prevent irritation of the throat, mix docusate liquid (5 mg per 5mL) with milk (or fruit juice).

• Rectal:

  • Only for rectal use.
  • Before inserting, lubricate the tip with a few drops from the enema. You may also use a few drops to lubricate the anus.
  • Place the lubricated applicator tip gently into the rectum.
  • Grab the bottle tightly and squeeze gently to empty it.
  • Discard after administration.

Mechanism of action of Docusate (Pedia-Lax):

• Reduces surface tension of the oil-water interface of the stool resulting in enhanced incorporation of water and fat allowing for stool softening

Onset of action:

• Oral: 12 to 72 hours;
• Rectal: 2 to 15 minutes

Excretion:

• Feces

International Brands of Docusate:

• Colace Clear
• Colace
• Diocto
• DocQLace
• Docu Soft
• Docu
• Docuprene
• Docusil
• DocuSol Kids
• DocuSol Mini
• DOK
• Dulcolax Stool Softener
• Enemeez Mini
• Healthy Mama Move It Along
• Kao-Tin
• KS Stool Softener
• Laxa Basic
• Pedia-Lax
• Promolaxin
• Silace
• Sof-Lax
• Stool Softener Laxative DC
• Stool Softener
• Audiwax
• Coloxyl
• Cusate
• Dewax
• Diocaps
• Dioctyl
• Docusaat FNA
• Docuset
• Docusoft
• Docusol
• Doslax
• Dulcocomfort
• Egycusate
• Emtix
• Green Morning
• Irwax
• Jamylene
• Klyx
• Lambanol
• Lassativo
• Laxadine
• Laxol
• Molcer
• Molcer Ear Drops
• Mulin
• Norgalax
• Norgalax Micro-enema
• Otoclear
• Otosol
• Otowax
• Purgeron
• Regutol
• Soliwax
• Soluwax Ear Drops
• Wax-Eze
• Waxsol
• Wondril
• Yal
• Yi Ke Long

Docusate Brand Names in Pakistan: