Prevention and treatment of chronic constipation. Prevention of hard dry stools and reduction of straining at stools in the presence of conditions like haemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Posology

Adults: 10 mL 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 30 mL.

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

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

Paediatric population

Children aged 6 months to 12 years use Docusol Paediatric 12.5 mg/ 5 ml Solution.

Duration of treatment

The patient should be advised to consult a physician when constipation persists or worsens during treatment or when laxatives are needed for a long period of time.

Method of administration

Oral use.

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution should not be taken:

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

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

Paediatric population

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution is not recommended for children aged 12 years and under.

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution contains sorbitol.

This medicine contains 1290 mg sorbitol in each 5 mL dose. Sorbitol is a source of fructose so should not be given to patients who have an intolerance to some sugars or have been diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI), a rare genetic disorder in which a person cannot break down fructose. Sorbitol may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and mild laxative effect.

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution contains 5 mg of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate in each 5 mL dose and 2.5 mg of propyl p-hydroxybenzoate in each 5 mL dose. May cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution contains aspartame.

This medicine contains 15 mg aspartame in each dose (5 mL) . Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine. It may be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder in which phenylalanine builds up because the body cannot remove it properly.

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution contains sodium benzoate.

This medicine contains 5 mg sodium benzoate in each dose (5 mL).

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution contains sodium.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 5 mL dose, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution should not be taken concurrently with mineral oil. Anthraquinone derivatives should be taken in reduced doses, if administered with Docusol Constipation Relief 50 mg/5 ml Solution 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.

Breastfeeding

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

None known.

Frequencies are defined as follows: Very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to ≤ 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to ≤ 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to ≤ 1/1,00); very rare (≤ 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Gastrointestinal disorders:

Rare: diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Not known: skin rash and pruritus.

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 reactions 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.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Laxatives, softeners, emollients, ATC code: A06AA02.

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.

None stated.

Sorbitol 70% (E420)

Glycerol (E422)

Povidone

Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (E218)

Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (E216)

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dehydrate

Disodium phosphate dodecahydrate

Sodium benzoate

Citric acid anhydrous

Aspartame (E591)

Strawberry flavour

Purified water

None known.

3 years.

This product does not require any special storage conditions.

Glass bottle with a plastic screw cap with a transparent seal.

Each bottle contains 125ml or 300ml.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

No special requirements.