Adult Dosing

Occasional constipation

• 1 capsule (240 mg) PO qd
• Take each dose with a full glass of water

Pediatric Dosing

Occasional constipation

• Children >12 yrs: 1 capsule (240 mg) PO qd

• For relief of occasional constipation

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product
• Fecal impaction
• Use of mineral oil
• Appendicitis
• Acute abdominal pain
• GI obstruction

• N/A

Renal Dose Adjustment

• Renal impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

Hepatic Dose Adjustment

• Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

See Supplemental Patient Information

• Avoid use of this product if events such as stomach pain, nausea or vomiting are present, unless directed by a physician
• Before starting therapy, advise patients to consult a physician if they develop stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in bowel habits lasting for 14 days
• Obtain a detailed medication history for current use of mineral oil before initiating therapy
• Discontinue therapy and consult a physician if rectal bleeding occurs or if there is failure to have a bowel movement after using docusate calcium. Consider further evaluation as these signs may be suggestive of a serious condition
• Discontinue use and promptly consult a physician if symptoms do not improve requiring product use for >7 days
• Advise patients to seek medical attention or immediately contact a Poison Control Center if signs and symptoms of overdosage occur

Cautions: Use cautiously in

• Nausea
• Vomiting

Supplemental Patient Information

• Advise patients to keep this drug out of reach of children

Pregnancy Category:C

Breastfeeding: Safety unknown. The drug is minimally absorbed from the GI tract and therefore is unlikely to be found in the maternal serum or breastmilk. Laxatives that are completely unabsorbed may be preferred. This information is based upon Lactmed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 7 Dec 2011). Manufacturer advises to consult a healthcare provider.

• GI: Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, throat irritation
• DERM: Rash
• METABOLIC: Electrolyte disorders
• GU: Rectal bleeding, rectal irritation

• Stool softener; promotes incorporation of water into stool, resulting in softer fecal mass
• Minimal systemic absorption
• Metabolism: Unknown; CYP450: Unknown
• Excretion: Primarily feces, bile
• Half-life: Unknown

US Trade Name(s)

• Surfak Stool Softener

US Availability

docusate calcium (generic)

• OTC CAPS: 240 mg

Surfak Stool Softener

• OTC CAPS: 240 mg

Canadian Trade Name(s)

• Calax
• Soflax C

Canadian Availability

docusate calcium (generic)

• OTC CAPS: 240 mg

Calax, Soflax C

• OTC CAPS: 240 mg

UK Trade Name(s)

• N/A

UK Availability

• N/A

Australian Trade Name(s)

• N/A

Australian Availability

• N/A

Gastrointestinal

Laxatives

Stool Softeners