Docusate use while Breastfeeding

Drugs containing Docusate: Colace, DOK, Senna Plus, Dulcolax Stool Softener, Senna S, Doc-Q-Lace, Senokot S, Peri-Colace, Senexon-S, DSS, Show all 102 »Surfak, Doculase, Sennalax-S, Docuprene, Dok Plus, Doculax, Phillips Stool Softener, Colace Micro-Enema, DOS, Docu, Silace, Docusil, Diocto, Calcium Stool Softener, Dioctocal, Sulfolax, Ferro-DSS, Ferro-Sequels (old formulation), Doc-Q-Lax, Laxacin, Ferocyl, Doxidan, Ferrous DS, Pedia-Lax Stool Softener, Surfak Stool Softener, Kao-Tin, Docusoft S, Octycine-250, Enemeez Mini, Ferro-Caps, Fe-Stool, DocuSol Kids, DocuSol, Kaopectate Stool Softener, Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener, Promolaxin, Vacuant, Ferro Basic, Docusol Plus, Ex-Lax Extra Gentle, Dialose Plus, Docucal-P, Doxidan Softgel Laxative Plus Stool Softener, Femilax, Feminine Lax, Therevac-SB, Femintrol, Modane Plus, Phillips Gel, Unilax, Gentlax S, Ex-Lax Gentle Strength, Octycine-100, Dioctosoftez, Correctol Softgel Extra Gentle, DSMC Compound Plain, Strong Caps, Peri-DS, Peri-DOS, Perestan, Genasoft Plus, DSS Plus, Aqualax Forte, Dialose, Octycine, Docu Soft Plus, Diocto-K Plus, Dioctolose, Diocto-C, Enemeez Plus, Therevac Plus, Doculax Plus, DC-240, Fleet Sof-Lax Stool Softener, Docu Soft, Doss-Relief, Sur-Q-Lax, Genasoft, Ex-Lax Stool Softener, D-S Caps, Calube, Docucal, Dionex, Kasof, Dioctyn, Vacuant Plus, Aqualax, Dioeze, Regulax SS, Modane Soft, Sulfalax Calcium, SenoSol-SS

Medically reviewed on Oct 26, 2018

Docusate Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding

Summary of Use during Lactation

Docusate is minimally absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and therefore the drug is unlikely to be found in the maternal serum or breastmilk. Laxatives that are completely unabsorbed may be preferred.[2]

Drug Levels

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in Breastfed Infants

In a randomized, blinded trial, 35 postpartum breastfeeding patients received a laxative containing docusate in a dose of 120 mg daily in addition to danthron 100 mg daily. One patient stated that diarrhea occurred in her breastfed infant.[1] The diarrhea was most likely caused by the danthron.

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Alternate Drugs to Consider

Bisacodyl, Magnesium Hydroxide, Psyllium, Senna

References

1. Greenhalf JO, Leonard HS. Laxatives in the treatment of constipation in pregnant and breast-feeding mothers. Practitioner. 1973;210:259-63. PMID: 4570522

2. Lewis JH, Weingold AB and the Committee of FDA-Related Matters, American College of Gastroenterology. The use of gastrointestinal drugs during pregnancy and lactation. Am J Gastroenterol. 1985;80:912-23. PMID: 2864852

Docusate Identification

Substance Name

Docusate

CAS Registry Number

10041-19-7

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Gastrointestinal Agents

Laxatives

Surface-Active Agents

Administrative Information

LactMed Record Number

456

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Further information

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