Docusate sodium belongs to the family of medications known as stool softeners. It is used to treat and prevent occasional constipation due to hard stools. Docusate sodium works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making stools softer and easier to pass. It usually starts to work within 1 to 3 days, but it may take up to 5 days to work.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
Each orange, oval-shaped soft gelatin capsule contains 100 mg of docusate sodium USP.
For adults and children older than 12 years, the recommended dose ranges from 100 mg to 200 mg daily.
For children 6 to 12 years old, the recommended dose is 100 mg daily.
For children under 6 years of age, your doctor will recommend the appropriate dose.
Children under 6 years of age should not be given this medication unless recommended by a doctor.
