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Docusate User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Colace, Dulcolax Stool Softener, DSS, Surfak, Docu, DOK, Doculase, Doc-Q-Lace, Docusil, Silace, Docuprene, Enemeez Mini, Calube, Ex-Lax Stool Softener, Colace Micro-Enema, Promolaxin, Dialose, DC-240, DOS, Dioeze, Aqualax, Dioctocal, Dioctosoftez, Dioctyn, Dionex, Docu Soft, Docucal, Docusoft S, Calcium Stool Softener, D-S Caps, Genasoft, Sur-Q-Lax, Doss-Relief, Fleet Sof-Lax Stool Softener, Correctol Softgel Extra Gentle, Phillips Stool Softener DocuSol Kao-Tin Pedia-Lax Stool Softener Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener DocuSol Kids Diocto …show all brand names

Docusate has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 38 reviews on Drugs.com. 49% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 32% reported a negative experience.

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Constipation  
5.9
38 reviews for Constipation 252 medications
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Reviews for Docusate

  • thiss...
  • January 31, 2011

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "Due to so many heart medications and other medications that I take, I have to be careful of anything OTC and Colace is so gentle. It doesn't ever cause cramping or discomfort. It literally does the job nicely. I recommend 100%, something I don't often do. You can take this without being nervous or afraid."

10 / 10
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222 Report
  • Dee
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • November 16, 2020

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "After taking Colace everyday for a year, my platelet count went down so low that my doctor thought I had cancer. I told him that I read that it could happen taking this drug. I went off of it and three weeks later had another test and it was normal. I take fiber in a powder form now which is safe."

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43 Report
  • Angry...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 13, 2021

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "Horrible vertigo hours after first and only dose. Still dizzy next morning. Thought I was it was the end of me! Never had a bad reaction to a drug before. Threw the whole bottle away. Beware of this medication."

1 / 10
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40 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anon
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 17, 2018

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "Epidurals after surgery left me constipated. On hospital departure, single 100mg tabs of Colace prescribed for bedtime and worked overnight. When I stopped using Colace, constipation returned because I have been told not to strain at BM time because I still have abdominal stitches. On return to Colace, it again worked overnight. I'm impressed"

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • Debbie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 10, 2021

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "Colace doesn't work for me at all. I've been using it for two months now and stool is still hard and constipated. I drink lots of water so that's not the issue. I guess it's not for everyone and I won't be using it anymore."

1 / 10
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19 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Suzie-Q
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 1, 2021

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "I was given colace after abdominal/intestinal surgery. I have a history of chronic constipation and did not want it to interfere with healing. My doctor has me consuming 40 grams of fiber daily and drinking 8 glasses of liquid. I take one Colace in the morning and it works every time! I am pleased with it. I do not know how long its effectiveness will continue, i.e., will I build up a tolerance to it? I hope not."

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Jwright
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 22, 2016

For Constipation "The other medications I take cause some constipation issues. I was placed on Docusate to help ease that. I find 200 mg a day helps immensely. Sometimes (not trying to be gross here) I will get REALLY plugged up. Taking an extra Docusate, for a total of 300 mg, works like a charm. Awesome medication for someone who struggles with mild to moderate daily constipation."

9 / 10
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30 Report
  • Booger
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 27, 2020

For Constipation "I took docusate after surgery for stool softener, then for constipation with pain medicine. NAUSEA! I thought it was pain medicine causing it, it wasn't. It was this stool softener! Had medicine for nausea. That was worse side effects. Stopped stool softener, no nausea anymore and no constipation! It wasn't brand name Colace. It was docusate sodium. Has anyone experienced such a horrible side effect? No vomiting, just dry heaves. Thank goodness I discovered what the problem was."

4 / 10
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17 Report
  • wanees
  • May 28, 2011

For Constipation "On first 5 days doses it was so effective, but gradually after the fifth day its effect totally decreased, now after a month it has no effect and I believe it causes more constipation. That also was reported from another person I know."

2 / 10
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41 Report
  • Ann
  • October 28, 2021

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "For some odd reason I developed constipation after a colonoscopy. At first I tried Ducolax with no relief. I’m a Bowel patient who’d been doing quite well on Crohn's medication for a couple decades. I didn’t want to use any kind of fiber as it can irritate a bowel condition. I use dark leafy greens and eat healthy avoiding certain foods. I’m also a liver patient. I came here today to see why after working up to 3 softgel capsels over the last 3 weeks on Colace I’m not getting much relief! And now I’m getting discomfort in my liver region. Which might indicate the lining around my liver is irritated or inflamed. I’m going to stop the Colace immediately as it is the only thing I’ve added after Ducolax. After reading the posts here, I can’t say I’m very impressed. Rather, I would caution others against this stool softener."

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Saz
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 27, 2023

For Constipation "I suffer from a very blocked-up bowel. My doctor prescribed me this medication. I take two pills in the morning and two at teatime. It seems to be working alright so far, so hopefully, it will keep on working. It can cause nausea soon after taking it, but that means it's working. The nausea is because the medication is trying to shift the stool along the colon. To be fair, if someone has been constipated for a few weeks, it has to work harder to move it along the colon. The nausea doesn't always mean that you're going to vomit. You just notice the nausea a little bit. Bowels are very complicated. It's given me the sensation back of letting me know when I need to poo. I was starting to lose the feeling of when to go to the toilet."

9 / 10
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4 Report
  • happy...
  • December 22, 2009

For Constipation "I have been on opioid therapy, which causes constipation. My physician ordered me senna s, which is fiber based, with the s being a stimulant. I get cramps when I take the senna, but I don't with this docusate. It works well for me. My only concern is I can't find any information on extended use. I've been using it daily for about 2 weeks, and very thankful."

8 / 10
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37 Report
  • Alask...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 18, 2019

For Constipation "I suffer from IBS constipation, especially around my time of month. I have tried this a few times and while I usually have a bowel movement, I end up with a lot of water retention and bloating with about a 5-10lb water weight gain. I’m still trying to find a laxative that doesn’t give me major bloating. I drink tons of water and eat a high fiber diet, not sure why this causes me so much bloating- I look 6 months pregnant."

1 / 10
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16 Report
  • Ocagon
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • February 17, 2022

For Constipation "I recently became constipated and a good friend of mine recommended docusate to help with the softening of the stool. Each morning I simply swallow 40ml of the delicious tasting paste and by lunchtime I can produce a nice soft stool akin to the consistency of ice cream that would be served from an old world I've cream truck. Thanks to my friend for the recommendation and thanks ducusate for the softening .."

10 / 10
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8 Report
  • big...
  • May 14, 2014

For Constipation "My wife who has Alzheimer's is trying this but is experiencing cramps at night and I suspect it is from this pill. It is softening the bowel motion but the cramping is a bit much, so will try something else. "

4 / 10
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23 Report
  • erica
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 12, 2018

For Constipation "I took one pill and 8 hours later I was on the toilet with HORRIBLE stomach cramps, the worst cramps I have had in awhile. I thought I was going to throw up the pain was so bad. Since then I have had constant diarrhea. I have been taking pepto and Imodium to stop things back up. Helping some. I can't believe this had such a horrible effect on me and some people it doesn't help much at all. I did use the dollar general brand if that would make a difference."

10 / 10
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14 Report
  • Micfe
  • September 10, 2010

Ex-Lax Stool Softener (docusate) for Constipation "I've used Ex-lax several times to help me with constipation due to other medications. I use the one that tastes like chocolate. It's delicious and so easy to take, it's like eating a piece of chocolate. I don't give it a 10 because of the cramps. They're not that bad and I imagine is normal, but apart from that it works very well."

9 / 10
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25 Report
  • Julie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 19, 2023

Colace (docusate) for Constipation "I was told to take Colace following surgery, because medications used during surgery would slow down my regular eliminations. Also, I was very nervous the day before, and had diarrhea until there was nothing left. I was given Colace during my stay. At discharge on Friday they said if I hadn’t passed a stool by Sunday to call. Saturday night, my efforts were rewarded painlessly. I have been regular and pain-free since then, taking 100 mg three times a day. It’s Thursday night, and I plan to take 1 a day for the next few days, unless I’m given different instructions at my doctor visit Monday."

10 / 10
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3 Report
  • Jayy
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 9, 2017

For Constipation "I suffer from hemorrhoids and straining with constipation and my doctor prescribed me Docusate Sodium and I tried it for 6 months. The first maybe 3 months were great but afterwards it started to fail on my and I was back to straining letting out very little BM and someday I would just push and push and then it would all come out and I would be hurting. I don't recommend this pill soft gel to anyone. I now use MiraLax and it is very effective. I love using MiraLax. It works 100% better.."

2 / 10
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15 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 6, 2009

Enemeez Mini (docusate) for Constipation "The only problem we experienced was the size of the tube. My wife was in a bad auto accident in 1962. Her pelvis was busted up among many other major injuries. She is confined to a wheelchair, so I have to administer the enema. The small size makes it a bit difficult to use but it works great!"

9 / 10
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23 Report
  • Andro...
  • November 9, 2017

For Constipation "Took 100mg daily in the hospital and it did nothing. My stools were somewhat softer but they still would not pass. I stopped taking it for awhile but after trying high fiber foods to keep me regular, this only helped a little. I needed to drink more water. I ended up on an osmotic laxative and it helped quite a bit but the medication is very expensive and my insurance won't cover it. Finally, I end up using Colace again but this time I took the maximum dose of 300mg before bed. This am I had a bowel movement that was easy but incomplete. So tonight I took another 300mg dose. We shall see how it goes. I am weary of dealing with this chronic problem. Any one have any other suggestions?"

7 / 10
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12 Report
  • cbaker
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 6, 2016

For Constipation "Because of the side effects of the meds I take to address my arthritic lumbar and cervical spine and the resulting chronic back and sciatic pain, I would be severely chronically constipated were it not for daily ingestion of: 1. a dissolvable fiber supplement 2. VERY large doses of docusate sodium 3. senna laxative Any one of the above alone was not sufficient. So I only rate this med a 6."

6 / 10
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11 Report
  • Tessa
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 18, 2021

For Constipation "I had really bad haemorrhoids and was prescribed this by the Dr, I took it for 3 years and thought it was working fine, I had some health issues and had haemorrhoids as well so took 2 a day. My health issues were feeling hot, sweaty and feeling like I was going to pass out all the time I have had every test and thought I was never going to live a normal life again. Diagnosed with chronic fatigue. During lockdown I ran out of docusate sodium and after a few months my energy levels increased I wasn’t faint all the time and the more I read the more I think they were to blame all those years of utter misery because I got another bottle last week and all my symptoms came back I slept for an entire day and felt faint again."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • JonD
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 10, 2020

For Constipation "Found the 100mg docusate pills effective. The liquid form, even dispersed in fluids has a mawkish taste and an irritation in the throat that almost borders on injury, like you got a snootful of too-hot coffee through a straw. I did, in fact, take it through a straw to keep as much of it out of my mouth as possible. The liquid form was also ridiculously more expensive/mg than the capsules. I don't take it for constipation, but to soften stools, which it's very good at and doesn't have the gassy effect of polyethylene glycol types."

10 / 10
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5 Report
  • Faith
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 22, 2020

For Constipation "I was given this medication to prevent constipation after surgery even though I have IBS & was previously taking linzess (which was VERY unpleasant causing severe cramping before release, but that was my life with IBS)"

10 / 10
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4 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.