How fast does docusate work

Costs to the healthcare system are increased needlessly when medications that do not improve outcomes are prescribed. Additionally, every medication order creates an opportunity for medical error. Lastly, bacteria were recently found contaminating the liquid formulation, which carries its own obvious implications if patients develop iatrogenic infections. Instead of using docusate, prescribe agents with established efficacy. In , a systematic review published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology graded the evidence behind different therapies for chronic constipation.

All other currently available agents that were reviewed had poor evidence to support their use. A more recent study in people prescribed opioids similarly found evidence to support the use of polyethylene glycol, lactulose, and sennosides.

Their recommendations for laxative therapy are similar to those of the previously discussed reviews. Nonpharmacologic treatments include dietary modification, mobilization, chewing gum, and biofeedback. If pharmacotherapy is required, use laxatives with the strongest evidence.

Docusate is commonly used for the treatment and prevention of constipation in hospitalized patients, with significant associated costs. This common practice continues despite little evidence supporting its efficacy and many trials failing to show benefits over placebo. Decreased utilization of ineffective therapies such as docusate is recommended.

Returning to the case presentation, the hospitalist should start the patient on alternative therapies, instead of docusate, such as polyethylene glycol, lactulose, psyllium, or sennosides, which have better evidence supporting their use.

Do you think this is a low-value practice? Skip to main content. Hospital Medicine. Am J Med. Epub May 3. A comparison of sennosides-based bowel protocols with and without docusate in hospitalized patients with cancer. J Palliat Med. This can lead to hypokalemia low potassium levels which may be dangerous. Prolonged use can also lead to dependency, and rebound constipation may occur when the medication is stopped. This list may not include all potential side effects.

Please consult your healthcare professional for a complete list. Colace and Dulcolax should be used cautiously in patients on loop diuretics such as furosemide or torsemide. These diuretics are potassium wasting, and that potassium loss combined with the potential electrolyte imbalance that can result from diarrhea when taking Colace or Dulcolax could lead to hypokalemia. Colace should not be taken with mineral oil because it can increase systemic absorption of mineral oil.

Inflammation of the intestine, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes could occur from mineral oil deposits at these sites leading to a foreign body reaction.

Dulcolax is enteric coated and designed to have delayed dissolution. Taking Dulcolax with antacids, H2 blockers, and proton inhibitors may cause the enteric coating to dissolve prematurely leading to stomach irritation or dyspepsia.

Dulcolax should be spaced away from the administration of these drugs by at least one hour. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of potential drug interactions. Please consult your pharmacist or healthcare professional for a complete list. You should consult your doctor before using Colace or Dulcolax if you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain. You should also consult your healthcare provider if you have had a sudden change in bowel movements that have lasted for more than two weeks.

When taking Dulcolax, cramping and abdominal discomfort may occur. Do not crush or chew Dulcolax tablets, and do not take Dulcolax within one hour of antacids or milk.

If you have no bowel movement or experience rectal bleeding after taking Dulcolax, stop taking it and call your doctor. Colace is an over-the-counter stool softener used in the prevention and treatment of constipation.

Dulcolax is a stimulant laxative used in the treatment of occasional constipation. Dulcolax is available in enteric-coated 5 mg and 10 mg tablets as well as a 10mg rectal suppository. While both Colace and Dulcolax are used to treat constipation, they are not the same and do not work in the same way.

Colace, a stool softener, helps soften the stool to make it easier to pass. Dulcolax, a stimulant laxative, works by simulating the physical movement of the stool through the digestive tract.

Dulcolax produces a bowel movement more quickly than Colace, with the suppository form working within an hour or so of administration. Colace is typically gentler and causes less discomfort, but may take up to three days to provide relief. Colace has been associated with some cases of fetal malformation, and therefore should only be used when benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Dulcolax has not shown any undesirable effects and is considered relatively safe for short term use in pregnancy. The risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance should be weighed when deciding on constipation treatment in pregnant women, and their healthcare provider should always be consulted.

While there are no direct interactions with alcohol, the effects of alcohol on the digestive system may increase the risk of dehydration, and caution should be used when taking Colace or Dulcolax while consuming alcohol. Dulcolax formulations containing bisacodyl are considered stimulant laxatives, not stool softeners.

There are stool softeners available under the Dulcolax trade name. A stool softener works by decreasing the surface tension of oil and water in the stool. This draws extra moisture into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Laxatives work by physically increasing the motility of the digestive tract, which mechanically moves the stool through the digestive tract. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

Docusate helps to soften your poo by increasing the amount of water in it. This makes it easier for you to go to the toilet. Docusate also stimulates the muscles that line your gut, helping poo to move poo along your bowel to your anus. Docusate capsules and liquid normally take 1 or 2 days to work. The enema usually works after 5 to 20 minutes, so it's best to stay close to a toilet.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are still constipated after a week. Take docusate for up to 1 week. If you take docusate for longer, your bowel can start to rely on it, rather than working on its own. If you are still constipated after taking docusate for a week, 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. They can also cause an electrolyte imbalance.

This means that levels of salts and minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium in your body get too high or too low.

A severe electrolyte imbalance can cause serious health problems such as muscle spasm and twitching, and even fits or seizures.

Using docusate for many weeks, even months, could also stop your bowel working properly on its own. Occasionally, you may need to take 2 different types of laxatives at the same time to get your bowels moving again. Only take 2 laxatives together on the advice of your doctor or pharmacist as there is an increased risk of side effects.

There are other types of laxative. They work in a different way to docusate but are equally good at treating constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives, for example Fybogel. These increase the bulk or weight of poo which in turn stimulates bowel movement.

They take 2 or 3 days to work. Osmotic laxatives, for example lactulose. These draw water from the rest of the body into your bowel to soften your poo and make it easier to go to the toilet. They take at least 2 days to work. Stimulant laxatives, for example senna and bisacodyl. These stimulate the muscles that line your gut, helping them to move poo along your gut.

Senna takes about 8 hours to work. It might be a good idea to stop eating pastries, puddings, sweets, cheese and cake for a while as these foods can make constipation worse. It's quite common to have constipation after surgery.

Using a laxative may help relieve the discomfort. If you have constipation after an operation, it's better to use lactulose because it is gentler than docusate. You can get lactulose from pharmacies. It's often possible to improve constipation without having to use laxatives.

Before trying docusate — or to stop constipation coming back — it may help to:. Page last reviewed: 11 March Next review due: 11 March Docusate - Brand names: Dulcoease, Dioctyl, Norgalax On this page About docusate Key facts Who can and cannot take docusate How and when to take or use docusate Side effects How to cope with side effects of docusate Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about docusate.

About docusate Docusate is a type of medicine called a laxative. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Docusate capsules and liquid take 1 or 2 days to work. The enema usually works within 20 minutes, so it's best to stay close to a toilet. Only give docusate to a child under 12 years old if their doctor prescribes it. Do not take it for more than a week without talking with your doctor. Common side effects include feeling sick nausea.

Most adults and children aged 12 years and over can safely take docusate. Important Never give docusate to a child under 12 years old unless their doctor prescribes it.

To make sure it is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have: ever had an allergic reaction to docusate or any other medicines a blockage in your gut intestine stomach pains been feeling sick or have vomited in the last 24 hours Do not use an enema containing docusate if you have: piles haemorrhoids or bleeding from your bottom a sore around your anus anal fissure ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease , or other inflammatory bowel condition parlytic ileus when the muscles in your bowel are not able to move food and liquid along.

Docusate comes as capsules, liquid and an enema. How to take or use it Capsules — swallow the capsule whole with plenty of water.