Stool Softener Docusate Sodium - 100 mg - Compares to Colace

Docusate is known as a 'stimulant laxative'. It acts on nerve endings in the gut wall. These nerves then make the muscles in the intestine contract with more force and more often. When the gut contracts, it moves the contents along faster, and so it reduces constipation. It may also act by softening the stool. The muscle contractions move the feces through the bowel faster, meaning that there is less time for water to be absorbed from the feces in the gut into the blood. As a result, the feces contain more water and are softer and easier to pass. As docusate increases the activity of the muscle in the gut, it often causes stomach cramps. The tablets, taken by mouth, take about 1 to 2 days to work.

Warning:

Stool softeners should not be used within two hours of other medications because they may reduce their intended effects. Stool softeners should not be given at the same time as mineral oil. Like all laxatives, stool softeners should not be used frequently or for a prolonged period of time without a doctor's advice.

• Blockage of the gut (intestinal obstruction)
• Piles/haemorrhoids
• Tear in the lining of the back passage (anal fissure)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine. There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor. There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Diarrhea
• Irritation of the back passage
• Low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia)
• Over stimulation of the gut wall leading to a non-functioning large bowel(atonic colon)
• Abdominal cramps

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Should not be used with liquid paraffin. No other known major drug interactions.