Colace for Constipation: Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and Dosing Information

Generic Name: Colace for Constipation (docusate)

Colace for Constipation Reviews

"Due to so many heart medications and other medications that I take, I have to be careful of anything OTC, and Colace is so gentle. It doesn't ever cause cramping or discomfort. It literally does the job nicely. I recommend 100%, something I don't often do. You can take this without being nervous or afraid."


"Horrible vertigo hours after first and only dose. Still dizzy the next morning. Thought it was the end of me! Never had a bad reaction to a drug before. Threw the whole bottle away. Beware of this medication."


"After taking Colace every day for a year, my platelet count went down so low that my doctor thought I had cancer. I told him that I read that it could happen taking this drug. I went off of it, and three weeks later had another test, and it was normal. I take fiber in a powder form now, which is safe."


"Epidurals after surgery left me constipated. On hospital departure, single 100 mg tabs of Colace prescribed for bedtime and worked overnight. When I stopped using Colace, constipation returned because I have been told not to strain at BM time because I still have abdominal stitches. On return to Colace, it again worked overnight. I'm impressed."


"Colace doesn't work for me at all. I've been using it for two months now and stool is still hard and constipated. I drink lots of water so that's not the issue. I guess it's not for everyone and I won't be using it anymore."


"I was given colace after abdominal/intestinal surgery. I have a history of chronic constipation and did not want it to interfere with healing. My doctor has me consuming 40 grams of fiber daily and drinking 8 glasses of liquid. I take one Colace in the morning and it works every time! I am pleased with it. I do not know how long its effectiveness will continue, i.e., will I build up a tolerance to it? I hope not."


"For some odd reason I developed constipation after a colonoscopy. At first I tried Ducolax with no relief. I’m a Bowel patient who’d been doing quite well on Crohn's medication for a couple decades. I didn’t want to use any kind of fiber as it can irritate a bowel condition. I use dark leafy greens and eat healthy avoiding certain foods. I’m also a liver patient. I came here today to see why after working up to 3 softgel capsels over the last 3 weeks on Colace I’m not getting much relief! And now I’m getting discomfort in my liver region. Which might indicate the lining around my liver is irritated or inflamed. I’m going to stop the Colace immediately as it is the only thing I’ve added after Ducolax. After reading the posts here, I can’t say I’m very impressed. Rather, I would caution others against this stool softener."


"I was told to take Colace following surgery, because medications used during surgery would slow down my regular eliminations. Also, I was very nervous the day before, and had diarrhea until there was nothing left. I was given Colace during my stay. At discharge on Friday they said if I hadn’t passed a stool by Sunday to call. Saturday night, my efforts were rewarded painlessly. I have been regular and pain-free since then, taking 100 mg three times a day. It’s Thursday night, and I plan to take 1 a day for the next few days, unless I’m given different instructions at my doctor visit Monday."


"I've had Crohn's disease practically my entire life. My doctors and I are totally stumped why I have had severe constipation for the last 2 months. I didn't change any of my medications or my eating habits. I have taken Colace 3 times a day, and my stool was still hard stool. With a surprise at the end. A little soft piece at the end that never came out. I guess that was the only piece of Colace that worked. Now, I'm back on it again. With the same constipation, bloating, painful cramping and my ilium is getting worse every day. The Colace does not work for me."


"I have several health problems, and together with the problems themselves and the various medications to treat them, I was having a very difficult time with very hard stools, which just refused to come out. I had been taking two a day. One day, I accidentally took four (two at two sittings), and the next day I had the first BM I would consider 'normal' in months, maybe years! I suspect it's dangerous, but I've been doing it ever since and am much more comfortable now. It even reduced the need to pee a zillion times a day. I may die sooner maybe, but it's worth it."


"Helps stop the pain of feeling constipated, and my stool isn't runny."


"Works well every day... No side effects... So far, great!"


"this the worse product I've been told to use. It hasn't helped with bowel movements at all and it was not cheap either. I wouldn't recommend to any one...."


"I was constipated after surgery. Great experience. No side effects no nausea. Would totally recommend"


"I took 2 copace 2 in 1 pills last night. No taste really. I had no side effects. Got up and had my morning coffee. Shortly thereafter it worked. Well worth the cost."


"Did not work...don't waste your money because there are many others available that are much better"


"Seems to make my feet swell and itch. Does not help very much unless I add Senokot. I am avoiding it for a week or more bc I’m worried about the feet swelling."

More about Colace (docusate)

  • Check interactions
  • Compare alternatives
  • Pricing & coupons
  • Drug images
  • Side effects
  • Dosage information
  • During pregnancy
  • Support group
  • Drug class: laxatives
  • Breastfeeding
  • En español

Patient resources

  • Colace drug information
  • Colace (Docusate Capsules and Tablets)
  • Colace (Docusate Liquid and Syrup)

Other brands

Dulcolax Stool Softener, DOK, Enemeez Mini, Surfak, ... +2 more

Professional resources

  • Docusate Sodium prescribing information

Other formulations

  • Peri-Colace
  • Colace Microenema

Related treatment guides

  • Constipation

Exclusive Discounts with Fast Delivery!

Clomisign - 50 mgCOUPONClomisign
Gabasign - 300 mgCOUPONGabasign
Altace - 10 mgCOUPONAltace
Extra Super P Force - 200 mgCOUPONExtra Super P Force
Plavix - 75 mgCOUPONPlavix