Docusate is a medication used to treat constipation associated with dry, hard stools, or opioid induced constipation. Docusate, or dioctyl sulfosuccinate, is a stool softener indicated for the treatment of constipation.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
Recent studies suggest that docusate's mechanism of action is due largely to it's surfactant effect in the intestines, which allow fat and water into the feces to soften the stool.
Docusate’s mechanism of action was investigated in 1985 on healthy patients. Docusate was added directly to the jejunum based on calculated concentrations of docusate in the jejunum. At this concentration, there was an increase in secretion of water, sodium, chloride, and potassium as well as a decrease in absorption of glucose and bicarbonate. Based on in vitro data, the authors suggested this effect was due to an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP either directly through docusate or E series prostaglandins.
- Primary indication
- Indicated for the treatment of constipation associated with dry, hard stools or opioid induced constipation.Curator reviewed · 6 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C20H38O7S · 422.577 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2000
- Also known as
- Dioctyl sulfosuccinate · Docusate hydrogen
- Code names
- E480
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which other approved drugs treat the same conditions as Docusate, and which companies have late-stage candidates in those indications?
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