a) To prevent and treat chronic constipation

b) As an adjunct in abdominal radiological procedures

Posology

Adults: 10ml to 15ml 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 50ml.

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

For barium meals: 40ml to be taken with the meal.

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

Paediatric population

Children: For administration to children and infants over 6 months use Docusol Paediatric Solution 0.25% w/v.

Method of administration

Oral use.

Docusate Sodium Adult 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.

Paediatric population

Docusate Sodium Adult is not recommended for children aged 12 years and under.

Prolonged use can precipitate the onset of an atonic non-functioning colon and hypokalaemia.

Docusate Sodium Adult Solution contains sorbitol. This medicine contains 1290 mg sorbitol in each 5 mL dose. Sorbitol is a source of fructose. If your doctor has told you that you (or your child) have an intolerance to some sugars or if you have been diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI), a rare genetic disorder in which a person cannot break down fructose, talk to your doctor before you (or your child) take or receive this medicine. Sorbitol may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and mild laxative effect.

Docusate Sodium Adult Solution contains methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and propyl p-hydroxybenzoate. This medicine contains 5 mg of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and 2.5 mg of propyl p-hydroxybenzoate in each dose (5 mL). May cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

Docusate Sodium Adult 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.

Docusate Sodium Adult Solution contains sodium benzoate. This medicine contains 5 mg sodium benzoate in each dose (5 mL).

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

Docusate Sodium Adult Solution should not be taken concurrently with mineral oil. Anthraquinone derivatives should be taken in reduced doses, if administered with Docusate Sodium Adult 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 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.

None stated.

Sorbitol 70% (E 420)

Glycerol (E 422)

Povidone

Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (E 218)

Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (E 216)

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dehydrate

Disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate

Sodium benzoate (E 211)

Citric acid anhydrous

Aspartame (E 951)

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.