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What is Docusate?

Category: Over the Counter Drugs

Most popular types: Stool Softener Colace Equate Stool Softener Show all

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See also: Peri-Colace

Docusate is a stool softener that is used in the treatment of constipation. It is available as capsule, liquid or enema. Docusate preparations may include sodium, calcium, or potassium.

See patients taking Docusate

Reported purpose & perceived effectiveness
Purpose Patients Evaluations Perceived Effectiveness
Constipation 501 114
Bowel problems 164 48
Hemorrhoids 74 7
General health 22 0
Irritable bowel syndrome 19 3
Bowel irritability 18 5

Show all 44 reasons taken

  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
See all 2006 patients that have taken Docusate

Side effects

Side effects as an overall problem

Side effects as an overall problem
Severity Evaluations Percentage
Severe 2
Moderate 13
Mild 18
None 145

Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Docusate

Side effect Patients Percentage
Diarrhea 8
Abdominal cramps 3
Bowel irregularity 2
Bowel incontinence 1
Excessive gas 1
Frequent bowel movements 1

Show all 10 reported side effects

Why patients stopped taking Docusate

Multiple reasons could be selected

Reason Patients Percentage
Other 64
Did not seem to work 51
Course of treatment ended 30
Doctor's advice 24
Personal research 7
Side effects too severe 7
Expense 2
Change in health plan coverage 1
See all 164 patients who've stopped taking Docusate

Duration

Stopped taking Docusate

Duration Patients Percentage
Less than 1 month 23
1 - 6 months 41
6 months - 1 year 23
1 - 2 years 26
2 - 5 years 21
5 - 10 years 17
10 years or more 6
Adherence
Adherence Evaluations Percentage
Always 119
Usually 35
Sometimes 18
Never taken as prescribed 6
Burden
Burden Evaluations Percentage
Very hard to take 1
Somewhat hard to take 12
A little hard to take 23
Not at all hard to take 142
Cost per month
Cost per month Evaluations Percentage
$200+ 0
$100-199 0
$50-99 1
$25-49 6
< $25 93
Not specified 78

What people switch to and from

Patients started taking Docusate after stopping:

Treatment Patients Percentage
Senna (Senokot) 1

Patients stopped taking Docusate and switched to:

Treatment Patients Percentage
Polyethylene Glycol 3350 (MiraLax) 2
Linaclotide (Linzess) 1
Naloxegol (Movantik) 1
Last updated:

20 patient evaluations for Docusate

Sort by: Most recent

Jul 1, 2015 (Started Sep 21, 2011)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for bowel problems)
  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for constipation)
  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for hemorrhoids)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Sometimes
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 200 mg Daily
Cost: < $25 monthly
  • 0 helpful marks

Jul 1, 2015 (Started Oct 15, 2004)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for constipation)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily

Aug 13, 2011 (Started Oct 15, 2004)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for constipation)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily

Nov 17, 2010 (Started Oct 15, 2004)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for constipation)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
  • 0 helpful marks

Mar 22, 2014 (Started Jul 01, 2011)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for constipation)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Advice & Tips: Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Phasellus faucibus turpis sed mi maximus mattis.
  • 0 helpful marks
Last updated:
Showing 3 of 20 patient evaluations for Docusate