Small molecule · Gastrointestinal
Docusate sodium
ColaceSmall moleculeStool softener (anionic surfactant)
PubChem CID 23673837 · 3D model
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Softens stool by acting like a detergent that lets water and fat mix into it, rather than making the intestines squeeze harder.
How it works
Docusate sodium works like a detergent inside the gut. It lowers the surface tension of the stool so that water and fats can mix into it more easily, which makes the stool softer and easier to pass. Unlike laxatives that make the intestines squeeze and contract, docusate doesn't stimulate movement — it just changes the texture of the stool itself.
What it’s used for
Docusate sodium is an over-the-counter stool softener used to relieve occasional constipation. It usually produces a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours after taking it.
- Mechanism
- Stool softener (anionic surfactant)
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Gastrointestinal