Docusate sodium and senna are two different types of laxatives combined in one formula. One is a stool softener, and one is a bowel stimulant. Together, they can produce a bowel movement in six to twelve hours.
DOCUSATE SODIUM; SENNA (doc CUE sayt SOE dee um; SEN na) prevents and treats occasional constipation. It works by softening the stool. It also helps the muscles in your intestines move stool. This makes it easier to have a bowel movement. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Colace, Dok Plus, Laxacin, Peri-Colace, Senexon-S, Senna Plus, Senna-S, Senna-Time-S, SennaLax-S, Senohot-S, Senokot-S, SenoSol-SS, Stool Softener with Laxative
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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the product label. Take exactly as directed. Do not take your medication more often than directed.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Do not use for more than 1 week unless otherwise directed by your care team.
Stop using this medication and contact your care team if you have rectal bleeding or do not have a bowel movement after use. These could be signs of a more serious condition.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Docusate with senna (Senna-Plus) should produce a bowel movement (poop) within six to twelve hours. Many people take it at bedtime to have a bowel movement in the morning.
Senna is a stimulant laxative, while docusate is a stool softener. Docusate draws water and fat into your stool to make it softer, while senna stimulates your bowel muscles to move.
It’s safe to crush docusate and senna tablets, but they can be hard to crush, and they won’t taste good that way. You won’t be able to disguise them in apple sauce.
Yes. You can get docusate sodium and senna tablets over the counter, under a variety of brand names, including:
Over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives can help treat occasional constipation, but you should only use them short-term. If you have chronic constipation, talk to a healthcare provider about the best way to treat it.
Guidelines state that you can safely take docusate with senna (Senna-Plus) every day for up to a week. After that, you should consult a healthcare provider if you continue to need laxatives to poop.
Persistent constipation requires a holistic treatment approach that includes diet and lifestyle changes, as well as medications. Your healthcare provider might suggest different medications to use long-term.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you’re looking for quick relief from occasional constipation, docusate sodium with senna is a powerful combination. The stool softener docusate sodium, combined with the bowel stimulant senna, produces relatively fast results. But it’s important to remember that this over-the-counter laxative is an occasional rescue remedy, not a long-term treatment. To avoid potential side effects, use it only as directed.
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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.
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