a) To prevent and treat chronic constipation

b) As an adjunct in abdominal radiological procedures

Adults: 100mg (5ml) to 150mg (7.5ml) three times a day. Take as a single dose followed by plenty of water or flavoured drink e.g. milk or orange juice.

Maximum daily dose 500mg (25ml).

Treatment should be commenced with large doses, which should be decreased as the condition of the patient improves.

For barium meals: 400mg (20ml) to be taken with the meal.

Elderly: There is no evidence to suggest that an adjustment of the dosage is necessary in the elderly.

Children: For administration to children and infants over 6 months use Docusate sodium 12.5mg/5ml.

For barium meals: 400mg (20ml) to be taken with the meal.

Docusate sodium solution should not be taken

• by patients with a known hypersensitivity to docusate sodium or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• in the presence of abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, nausea or if vomiting occurs.

Docusate sodium oral solution should not be given to infants under six months. Prolonged use can precipitate the onset of an atonic nonfunctioning colon and hypokalaemia.

Docusate sodium oral solution contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate and propyl parahydroxybenzoate. May cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

This medicine contains 5.0mg sodium benzoate in each 5ml dose.

This medicine contains 840.0mg sorbitol in each 5ml dose. The additive effect of concomitantly administered products containing sorbitol (or fructose) and dietary intake of sorbitol (or fructose) should be taken into account. The content of sorbitol in medicinal products for oral use may affect the bioavailability of other medicinal products for oral use administered concomitantly. Patients with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) should not take/be given this medicinal product.

This medicinal product contains 28.8mg sodium per 25 ml dose (maximum daily dose), equivalent to 1.4% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2g sodium for an adult.

Docusate sodium solution should not be taken concurrently with mineral oil. Anthraquinone derivatives should be taken in reduced doses, if administered with Docusate sodium as their absorption is increased.

Pregnancy

There is inadequate evidence of safety of the drug in human pregnancy, nor is there evidence from animal work that it is free from hazard, but it has been in wide use for many years without apparent ill consequence. Use in pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Lactation

Docusate sodium is excreted in breast milk and should therefore be used with caution in lactating mothers.

Fertility

Animal studies did not show an effect of docusate sodium on fertility. There are no clinical data available about the effect of docusate sodium on fertility.

None known

Stimulant laxatives increase intestinal motility and often cause abdominal cramp.

There have been spontaneous reports of burning sensation in mouth and throat following the use of Docusate sodium. Patients are advised to drink plenty of water or flavoured drink after taking the solution.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reaction after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

In rare cases of overdose excessive loss of water and electrolytes should be treated by encouraging the patient to drink plenty of fluid.

ATC code: A06AA02 Laxatives, softeners, emollients

Docusate sodium acts as a faecal softener by increasing the penetration of water and fats.

Docusate sodium exerts its effects by means of its physical surfactant properties. However, there is some evidence that it is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and excreted in bile.

No relevant information additional to that contained elsewhere in the SPC.

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218)

Propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216)

Sodium benzoate (E211)

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate (E339i)

Disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (E339ii)

Glycerol (E422)

Kollidon 90F (E1201)

Sorbitol 70% (E420)

Sucralose (E955)

Citric acid (E330)

Strawberry flavor

Purified water

None known

36 months

Once opened use within one month

None

Docusate sodium 100mg/5ml oral solution is available in an amber glass bottle of 150ml or 300ml with a plastic screw cap. It comes with a dosing cup with 2.5 / 5 / 10 / 15 ml graduations.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.