Docusate sodiumProduct ingredient for Docusate

Docusate, or dioctyl sulfosuccinate, is a stool softener indicated for the treatment of constipation¹. Docusate acts by increasing the amount of water the stool absorbs in the gut, making the stool softer and easier to pass ⁷. Docusate can be orally or rectally administered. Docusate is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines¹⁰. However the effectiveness of docusate in treating constipation remains unclear, as several studies report docusate to be no more effective than placebo for increasing the frequency of stool or stool softening ^6,2,5. Recently there has been pressure to stop prescribing docusate as it has been identified as an ineffective medicine^3,5,9. Additionally, it does not appear to lessen symptoms associated with constipation such as abdominal cramps. Still docusate is available in over-the-counter products as a common laxative.