Docusate sodium History:Docusate sodium was first patented in 1937 by Coleman R. Caryl and Alphons O. Jaeger for American Cyanamid . It was initially commercialized as a detergent under the brand name Aerosol OT ¹. The proposal for using docusate sodium for treating constipation was first made in 1955 by James L. Wilson and David G. Dickinson ¹. It quickly gained popularity under the name Doxinate .

Docusate sodium is used in the treatment :

  1. Constipation: It is used to treat chronic constipation, constipation in pregnancy, and constipation in children.
  2. Bowel preparation: It is used to clean the bowel before surgery, colonoscopy, or other medical procedures.
  3. Stool softener: It is used to soften stool and make it easier to pass, reducing straining during bowel movements.
  4. Hemorrhoids: It is used to treat hemorrhoids by reducing swelling and discomfort.
  5. Anal fissures: It is used to treat anal fissures by reducing pain and discomfort during bowel movements.
  6. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): It is used to treat constipation-related symptoms of IBS.
  7. Postoperative care: It is used to prevent constipation after surgery.
Docusate sodium works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, softening it, and making it easier to pass. It is available in various formulations, including oral capsules, tablets, and liquid solutions, as well as rectal enemas and suppositories.



Docusate sodium can cause the following side effects:
Common side effects:
  1. Abdominal cramps
  2. Bloating
  3. Gas
  4. Diarrhea
  5. Stomach discomfort
  6. Nausea
  7. Vomiting
  8. Rectal pain (when using suppositories or enemas)
Less common side effects:
  1. Allergic reactions (hives, itching, swelling)
  2. Rash
  3. Dizziness
  4. Headache
  5. Fatigue
  6. Weakness
  7. Muscle cramps
  8. Palpitations
Rare side effects:
  1. Gastrointestinal obstruction
  2. Intestinal perforation
  3. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
  4. Blood in the stool
  5. Black tarry stools
It's essential to consult a healthcare professional if you experience any side effects or have concerns about taking docusate sodium.
 Docusate sodium is sold under a wide variety of brand names, including :
        
       Aqualax
  • Calube
  • Colace
  • Coloxyl
  • Correctol Softgel Extra Gentle
  • DC-240
  • Dialose
  • Diocto
  • Dioctocal
  • Dioctosoftez
  • Dioctyn
  • Dionex
  • Doc-Q-Lace
  • Docu Soft
  • Docucal
  • Doculax
  • Docusoft S
  • DOK
  • DOS
  • Doss-Relief
  • DSS
  • Dulcolax - Stool Softener
  • Ex-Lax Stool Softener
  • Fleet Sof-Lax
  • Genasoft
  • Kasof
  • Laxa-basic
  • Modane Soft
  • Octycine-100
  • Pedia-Lax
  • Preferred Plus Pharmacy Stool Softener
  • Regulax SS
  • Sulfalax Calcium
  • Sur-Q-Lax
  • Surfak Stool Softener
  • Therevac-SB