Docusate Sodium / Docusate Calcium
Dioctyl sodium succinate, Dioctyl calcium succinate
Also known as: Colace · Surfak · Diocto · Silace · ex-lax Stool Softener · Co-danthrusate · Docusol · DulcoEase · Norgalax · Waxsol · Dioctyl sodium succinate · Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate · Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate · DSS · DOSS · Docusatum natricum · Dioctyl calcium succinate
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constipation | 50-100 mg (total dose) | PO | q12-24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | 25 mg | PO | once to twice daily | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | 50 mg | PO | once to twice daily | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | Two to three 50 mg capsules or one 240 mg capsule | PO | once daily | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | One or two 50 mg capsules | PO | q12-24h | — | 🌎 NA |
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium; Small Dogs
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium; Medium/large Dogs
- Constipation: Docusate Calcium
- Constipation: Docusate Calcium
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constipation | 50 mg | PO | per day | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | 5-10 mL of Colace | Enema | as needed | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | 50 mg | PO | as needed | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | 1-2 pediatric suppositories | PR | as needed | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | 50 mg | PO | q12-24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Constipation | 50 mg | PO | once daily | — | 🌎 NA |
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium
- Constipation: Docusate Sodium
- Constipation: Docusate Calcium
Horses
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large colon impaction (to soften) | 6-12 g/500 kg diluted in 2-4 liters of water | Nasogastric tube | q12-24h | — | 🌎 NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Docusate (available as sodium or calcium salts) is an emollient laxative and surfactant stool softener.
- Primary Use: Administered to small animals to alleviate constipation, particularly when passing firm feces would be painful or detrimental (e.g., post-operative anorectal surgery, pelvic fractures).
- Equine Use: Utilized alone or in combination with mineral oil to treat large colon fecal impactions in horses.
- Clinical Pearl: Docusate does not significantly stimulate GI peristalsis; rather, it facilitates the softening of the fecal mass, making it easier to pass without straining.
Mechanism of action
Docusate acts primarily as an anionic surfactant (detergent).
- Surface Tension Reduction: It lowers the surface tension of the stool → allows water and dietary fats to penetrate the ingesta and formed feces → softens the fecal mass.
- Secretory Effect: In vivo studies show docusate increases cAMP concentrations in colonic mucosal cells → stimulates ion secretion (such as chloride) and increases fluid permeability from these cells into the colon lumen → further hydrates the stool.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Pre-existing fluid or electrolyte abnormalities (use with caution)
Adverse effects
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal mucosal damage (especially at high doses)
- Throat irritation (liquid preparations)
- Bitter taste (can cause hypersalivation/foaming in cats)
Precautions
Use with caution in patients with pre-existing fluid or electrolyte abnormalities; monitor closely.
Warning: Overdoses in horses can be serious and potentially fatal, leading to severe dehydration and intestinal mucosal damage.
Drug interactions
Theoretically enhances absorption of mineral oil. Not a significant concern in large animals, but concurrent use in dogs/cats is not recommended. If both are necessary in small animals, separate doses by at least 2 hours.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (resolution of constipation/impaction)
- Hydration status
- Electrolyte status (if indicated or in high doses)
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Unknown exact amount absorbed after oral administration, but it is believed that some is absorbed from the small intestine.
Elimination
Excreted into the bile.
Overdose
In horses, single doses of 0.65-1 g/kg have caused dehydration, intestinal mucosal damage, and death. Maximum therapeutic dosages of up to 0.2 g/kg have been reported.
- Clinical Signs (Horses): Begin 1-2 hours after dosing. Initial signs include restlessness and increased intestinal sounds, followed by increased respiratory and cardiac rates. Abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, and dehydration can occur, deteriorating over hours to days to lateral recumbency and death.
- Treatment: Supportive care. Because of the secretory effects of high doses, hydration and electrolyte status must be monitored and corrected. GI protectants, bicarbonate, corticosteroids, and antiendotoxemic agents (NSAIDs) have been suggested as potentially helpful.
Available products
Formulations
- Soft-gel capsules
- Oral syrup
- Oral liquid
- Enema
- Suppositories
- Bloat preparation liquid
Veterinary
- Bloat Treatment (Durvet) - 240 mg/1 fl. oz
- Dioctynate (Butler) - 5% enema solution
- Disposable Enema (Vedco) - 250 mg/12 mL
- Pet-Enema (Phoenix)
- Enema SA (Butler)
- Docu-Soft Enema (Life Science)
- Veterinary Surfactant (oral liquid 5%)
Human-labeled
- ex-lax Stool Softener (100 mg tablets)
- Dioctyn
- Colace (50 mg, 100 mg, 250 mg capsules; syrup; liquid)
- D-S-S
- Phillips' Liqui-Gels
- Sof-lax
- Docu
- Silace
- Diocto
- Stool Softener DC
- Surfak Liquigels (240 mg calcium capsules)
- DC Softgels
Regulatory status
Available as P (Pharmacy) and GSL (General Sales List) in the UK/EU.
Classified as P (Pharmacy) and GSL (General Sales List).
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Capsules should be stored in tight containers at room temperature. Temperatures above 86°F (30°C) can soften or melt soft gelatin capsules. Solutions should be stored in tight containers, and syrup in tight, light-resistant containers.
Client information
- Administration: Unless otherwise directed, give this medication to your animal on an empty stomach.
- Taste Warning: Liquid formulations are extremely bitter. Cats, in particular, may drool or foam at the mouth if given the liquid form.
- Patience is Key: It may take 1 to 3 days of consistent use to see the full stool-softening effect.
- Safety: Do not give with other laxative agents (especially mineral oil) without the explicit approval of your veterinarian.
Note: Ensure your pet has free access to fresh drinking water, as adequate hydration is essential for this medication to work effectively.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.