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Docusate (DOCUSATE SODIUM)
Docusate sodium works by increasing the solubility of bile salts in the gut, allowing more water to be absorbed into the stool.
Docusate sodium is a small molecule drug in the docusate class, used to treat various conditions including constipation, breastfeeding difficulties, and iron deficiency anemia. It is a stool softener that works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making it easier to pass. The commercial status of docusate sodium is not specified, but it is likely available as a generic medication. Key safety considerations include potential interactions with other medications and gastrointestinal side effects. Docusate sodium is often used in conjunction with other treatments to address underlying conditions.
At a glance
| Generic name | DOCUSATE SODIUM |
|---|---|
| Drug class | docusate sodium |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Hematology |
| Phase | discontinued |
Mechanism of action
Imagine your stool as a mixture of solid and liquid. Docusate sodium helps to make the solid parts of the stool dissolve in water, making it softer and easier to pass. This is especially helpful for people who have trouble going to the bathroom or have constipation.
Approved indications
- Breastfeeding (mother)
- Constipation
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency
- Pregnancy, function
Common side effects
- Constipation
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Pemphigus
- Synovitis
- Hand deformity
- Completed suicide
- Pneumonia aspiration
- Maternal exposure during pregnancy
- Glossodynia
- Plasma cell myeloma
- Contraindicated product administered
- Arthropathy
Key clinical trials
- RELISTOR's Effects on Opioid-Induced Constipation
- 4-L Split-dose Polyethylene Glycol and Bisacodyl and Docusate Sodium Regimen Versus 2-L Split-dose Polyethylene Glycol Plus Oral Simethicone Regimen for Bowel Preparation Before Colonoscopy (NA)
- Opiate Sparing Protocol Randomized Controlled Trial in Open Distal Radius Fracture Repair (NA)
- Dose-Adjusted EPOCH Chemotherapy and Rituximab (CD20+) in Previously Untreated Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (PHASE2)
- Appropriate Inhaler Use of Tiotropium As Add-on Therapy in Symptomatic Asthma (NA)
- Treatment of Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy (NA)
- Docusate/Senna for the Treatment of Diabetic Gastroparesis (PHASE2)
- ACL-R Opioid Sparing Study (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Docusate CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Docusate updates RSS · CI watch RSS