docusate-sodium
Medically Reviewed by Dr. J.R.G. Peries, M.D – Cardiology
Last Reviewed: Apr 27, 2023
Warnings
Docusate Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Docusate can cause severe health problems, especially in certain high-risk patients. Some of the risks of docusate use include:
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Precautions Before Starting Docusate (Colace)
Keep all appointments with your healthcare providers.
Eat high-fiber foods, drink plenty of clear liquids, and exercise regularly.
Tell your healthcare provider if you ever had an allergic reaction to docusate, any of the active or inactive ingredients in docusate, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.
Give your healthcare provider a complete medical history. Before the use of docusate, patients should contact a healthcare provider if stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting are present or if a sudden change in bowel habits occurs and persists over 14 days.
Give your doctor a complete list of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal products, and other laxatives. Do not forget to mention mineral oil. This can help avoid serious interactions between docusate and your other medications.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Precautions During Use of docusate (Colace)
Docusate (oral) generally produces bowel movement in 12 to 72 hours. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms show no improvement after 72 hours of its use.
Do not take docusate for more than 7 days without talking to a doctor. Excessive use of the medication can cause dependency.
You should discontinue docusate use and tell your healthcare professional if you have rectal bleeding, bowel movement fails to occur after use, sudden changes in bowel habits lasting longer than 2 weeks, or if your stools are still hard after you have taken this medicine for 1 week.
Do not consume other laxatives or stool softeners unless told to do so by your doctor.
Consult your doctor if you follow a low-sodium or sodium-free diet. These medications include sodium in some cases.
While using this medication, be sure to consume plenty of water. Constipation can be reduced by consuming enough water.
Call your doctor if you become pregnant while on docusate.
Docusate (Colace) Drug Interactions
Taking docusate with other drugs can affect how each of the medications works. Possible interactions between drugs can also increase the risk of serious side effects. Your healthcare professional may choose a different medication for you, change the dose or frequency of your medications, and/or closely monitor you for side effects if there are known interactions between docusate and your other drugs.
There can also be possible drug interactions between docusate and the following medications:
- Mineral oil
- Lactulose
- Linaclotide
- Phenolphthalein
Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products.
Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.
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