Pronunciation: DOK-yoo-sate
Generic Name: Docusate
Brand Name: Examples include Colace and Surfak
Colace is used for:
Relieving occasional constipation and preventing dry, hard stools. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Colace is a stool softener. It works by helping fat and water into the stool mass to soften the stool.
Do NOT use Colace if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Colace
- you have undiagnosed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or appendicitis
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Colace:
Some medical conditions may interact with Colace. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of bowel obstruction
- if you have nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or rectal bleeding
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Colace. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Mineral oil because its absorption may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Colace may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Colace:
Use Colace as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Colace by mouth with or without food.
- Take Colace with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
- Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Colace is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
- A bowel movement usually occurs 1 to 3 days after the first dose.
- If you miss a dose of Colace and are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Colace.
Important safety information:
- The risk of loss of normal bowel function may be greater if you take Colace in high doses or for a long time. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- If your symptoms do not get better within 1 week or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your doctor if you do not have a bowel movement or if you have rectal bleeding after using Colace.
- Do not take Colace with other laxatives or stool softeners, unless directed by your doctor.
- Do not use Colace if you experience stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or rectal bleeding, except under the direction of your doctor.
- If you notice a sudden change in bowel movements that lasts for 2 weeks or more, check with your doctor.
- Check with your doctor before using Colace in CHILDREN.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Colace while you are pregnant. It is not known if Colace is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Colace, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Colace:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Bitter taste; bloating; cramping; diarrhea; gas; irritation around the rectum; throat irritation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) fainting; nausea; vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Colace side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe or persistent diarrhea; stomach cramps.
Proper storage of Colace:
Store Colace at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container. Keep Colace out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Colace, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Colace is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Colace. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Colace resources
- Colace Side Effects (in more detail)
- Colace Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Colace Drug Interactions
- Colace Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Colace - Add your own review/rating
- Colace Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Docusate Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Aqualax Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Docusate Salts Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Dostinex Monograph (AHFS DI)
Compare Colace with other medications
- Constipation
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