Docusate: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage - Drugvu

ℹ️ Compiled from public regulatory records · Last regulator revision: May 22, 2026🚩 Report this page

Docusate

Active ingredient

Sold as NORGALAX · FLETCHERS ENEMETTE

GB MHRAUS FDACA Health Canada

Drug class: -
Availability: Over-the-counter
Routes: Oral
Markets covered: 3
Products on record: 33

Overview

Docusate is an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The information below is compiled per regulator from the product labels on record, with direct links to the original documents.

Regulatory status by market

Market	Regulator	Products	Last revision
GB United Kingdom	MHRA	23	May 22, 2026
US United States	FDA	6	May 7, 2026
CA Canada	Health Canada	4	March 22, 2025

GBUnited Kingdom· MHRA

23 products

Uses

GBOfficial regulatory label· revised May 1, 2026[1]

a) To prevent and treat chronic constipation b) As an adjunct in abdominal radiological procedures

How to take

USUnited States· FDA

6 products

Uses

USOfficial regulatory label· revised November 6, 2024[2]

Uses • relieves occasional constipation (irregularity) • generally produces bowel movement in 12 to 72 hours

How to take

CACanada· Health Canada

4 products

4 products on record with this regulator. Detailed label text (uses, dosage, side effects) is being ingested — the original document is linked under Sources [3].

Drug interactions

Known interactions involving Docusate. Select one for details. This list is informational and not a complete interaction checker.

Lactulose Mineral Oil Phenolphthalein Linaclotide

Interaction data compiled from DDInter (academic, CC-BY). Severity classification only - this is not a complete interaction checker and not medical advice.

Sources & citations

[1]MHRA (UK) · PL421760022 · revised May 1, 2026
[2]FDA DailyMed · 122486e9-74dd-41… · revised November 6, 2024 [PDF]
[3]Health Canada (DPD) · 02426838 · revised March 22, 2025

Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Side effects & warnings

GBOfficial regulatory label· Adverse reactions· revised May 1, 2026[1]

Frequencies are defined as follows:
Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Gastrointestinal disorders:
Rare: diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Not known: skin rash and pruritus. There have been spontaneous reports of burning sensation in mouth and throat following the use of Docusate sodium. Patients are advised to drink plenty of water or flavoured drink after taking the solution.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reaction after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product. uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

GBOfficial regulatory label· Warnings and precautions· revised May 1, 2026[1]

Docusate sodium oral solution should not be given to infants under six months. Prolonged use can precipitate the onset of an atonic nonfunctioning colon and hypokalaemia. Docusate sodium oral solution contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate and propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
May cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed). 0mg sorbitol in each 5ml dose. The additive effect of concomitantly administered products containing sorbitol (or fructose) and dietary intake of sorbitol (or fructose) should be taken into account.
The content of sorbitol in medicinal products for oral use may affect the bioavailability of other medicinal products for oral use administered concomitantly. Patients with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) should not be given this medicinal product.
5% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult. Docusate sodium oral solution contains propylene glycol. 7 mg propylene glycol in each 5ml dose. If your baby is less than 4 weeks old, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving them this medicine, in particular if the baby is given other medicines that contain propylene glycol or alcohol.

This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.