Docusate User Reviews & Ratings
Brand names: Colace, Dulcolax Stool Softener, Docu, DOK, Surfak, Doculase, DSS, Doc-Q-Lace, Silace, Phillips Stool Softener, Enemeez Mini, DocuSol Kids, DOS, Docuprene, Doss-Relief, Pedia-Lax Stool Softener, Docusil, Diocto, Dialose, DC-240, Dioeze, Aqualax, Dioctocal, Dioctosoftez, Dioctyn, Dionex, Docu Soft, Docucal, Docusoft S, Calcium Stool Softener, Calube, D-S Caps, Ex-Lax Stool Softener, Genasoft, Sur-Q-Lax, Fleet Sof-Lax Stool Softener Colace Micro-Enema Correctol Softgel Extra Gentle DocuSol Kao-Tin Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener Promolaxin …show all brand names
Docusate has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 47 reviews on Drugs.com. 57% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 26% reported a negative experience.
Condition | Avg. Rating | Reviews | Compare |
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Constipation | 47 reviews for Constipation | 253 medications |
Reviews for Docusate
- Dee...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- November 16, 2020
Colace (docusate) for Constipation "After taking Colace every day 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."
- Ang...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 13, 2021
Colace (docusate) for Constipation "Horrible vertigo hours after first and only dose. Still dizzy the next morning. Thought it was the end of me! Never had a bad reaction to a drug before. Threw the whole bottle away. Beware of this medication."
Frequently asked questions
- Ano...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 17, 2018
Colace (docusate) for Constipation "Epidurals after surgery left me constipated. On hospital departure, single 100 mg 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."
- Deb...
- 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."
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Boo...
- 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."
- Jwr...
- 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."
- Suz...
- 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."
- wan...
- May 28, 2011
For Constipation "On the 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."
- Ann...
- October 28, 2021
Colace (docusate) for Constipation "For some odd reason, I developed constipation after a colonoscopy. At first, I tried Dulcolax with no relief. I’m a bowel patient who’d been doing quite well on Crohn's medication for a couple of 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 capsules 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 Dulcolax. After reading the posts here, I can’t say I’m very impressed. Rather, I would caution others against this stool softener."
- hap...
- 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 I'm very thankful."
- Ala...
- 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 5-10 lb 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."
- 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."
- 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."
- Tes...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- October 18, 2021
For Constipation "I had really bad hemorrhoids 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 hemorrhoids as well, so I 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."
- eri...
- 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 a while. 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."
- Mic...
- 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 it's normal, but apart from that, it works very well."
- Jay...
- 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 me, and I was back to straining, letting out very little BM, and some days 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."
- 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!"
- Oca...
- 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 ice cream truck. Thanks to my friend for the recommendation, and thanks docusate for the softening."
- xtc...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 22, 2024
Colace (docusate) for Constipation "I have several health problems, and together with the problems themselves and the various medications to treat them, I was having a very difficult time with very hard stools, which just refused to come out. I had been taking two a day. One day, I accidentally took four (two at two sittings), and the next day I had the first BM I would consider 'normal' in months, maybe years! I suspect it's dangerous, but I've been doing it ever since and am much more comfortable now. It even reduced the need to pee a zillion times a day. I may die sooner maybe, but it's worth it."
- And...
- November 9, 2017
For Constipation "Took 100 mg daily in the hospital and it did nothing. My stools were somewhat softer, but they still would not pass. I stopped taking it for a while, 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 ended up using Colace again, but this time I took the maximum dose of 300 mg before bed. This am I had a bowel movement that was easy but incomplete. So tonight I took another 300 mg dose. We shall see how it goes. I am weary of dealing with this chronic problem. Anyone have any other suggestions?"
- Ken...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- March 29, 2024
For Constipation "I take five Docusate Sodium 50mg pills every morning at breakfast time, and usually by late afternoon, I have a good, easy-to-pass bowel movement, which is much better than bordering on constipation, which I want to avoid. It works for me."
- cba...
- 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."
- use...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 12, 2024
For Constipation "Wow! This stuff is a godsend. I had been backed up for 6 days. My last BM before this had been after 5 days of nothing and was probably the most painful thing I have ever experienced. So, fearing going through that again, I decided it was time to try a stool softener. I am so glad I did! Last night, I took one 100mg softgel. It didn’t do much, but things were definitely starting to move as I was finally able to at least pass gas. Come today, I took two more softgels (100mg) and a miracle happened! I have had 3 very satisfying BMs today. I will add, copious amounts of water/fluids will be your best friend here. I also had a glass of prune juice today, and began taking probiotics yesterday. There was no straining necessary at all with my poops, and they were mostly pain-free! Minimal side effects, aside from some gas and mild cramping. Which totally could just be the prune juice, not sure. Either way, this stuff is a lifesaver!"
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Colace, Dulcolax Stool Softener, DOK, Surfak, ... +3 more
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."