Docusate sodium

About docusate sodium

Costipazione can be caused by a poor diet, not drinking enough water and not going to the toilet as soon as you feel you need to. Pregnancy, a lack of exercise or movement (such as being ill in bed) and some medicines, including some painkillers, can also cause constipation.

However, many people take laxatives when they do not need to because they believe that they are constipated unless they go to the toilet every day. This is not the case. A useful definition of constipation is going to the toilet less frequently than is normal for you, and passing hard stools (faeces) when you do go.

Docusate sodium is thought to work by encouraging the muscles in your bowel to move waste products through your body. It also draws water into your bowel, which softens the stools, making them easier to pass. Docusate sodium can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail outlets.

Preparations containing docusate sodium are sometimes used to clear the bowel before some medical examinations. When it is used like this, you will be provided with a supply and full instructions for use from your hospital or clinic.

The rest of the information in this leaflet is about docusate sodium when it is used for constipation.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, ask for advice from a doctor or pharmacist before you start taking docusate sodium if any of the following apply to you:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.

• If it is for a child. This is because laxatives should only be given to children on the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional.

• If you have severe pain in your tummy (abdomen) or feel sick.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about docusate sodium and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• The instructions for taking docusate sodium will be on the label of the pack. You can take up to five 100 mg-strength capsules over the course of a day, although you may not need this many. Take the capsules one at a time, at regular intervals throughout the day. Take them with a drink of water to help you swallow.

• If docusate sodium liquid medicine has been prescribed for your child, carefully follow the instructions you are given by your doctor, as the dose will be adjusted according to their age and needs. Do not give docusate sodium to a child unless a doctor has prescribed it.

• Your child's dose of oral liquid medicine can be diluted in a beaker/glass of fruit squash or milk before taking. The mixture must then be swallowed within 30 minutes.

• Docusate sodium should only be used for a short time. This is because your bowel can start to rely on this type of laxative to make it work rather than working on its own. Although it may take a day or so for the capsules/liquid to start working, if you are still constipated after five days, you should make an appointment to speak with your doctor.

• A healthy diet containing fibre (wholegrain breads and cereals, bran, fruit and green leafy vegetables) with six to eight full glasses of water each day and daily exercise are important in maintaining healthy bowel function.

• You can read more about how to prevent or treat constipation in adults and children in the separate leaflets called Costipazione (per adulti) e Costipazione nei Bambini.

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with docusate sodium. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve over the first few days of taking a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti a questo medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.