Docusate de sodium

About docusate sodium

Constipation can be caused by a poor diet, not drinking enough water and not going to the toilet as soon as you feel you need to. Pregnancy, a lack of exercise or movement (such as being ill in bed) and some medicines, including some painkillers, can also cause constipation.

Cependant, de nombreuses personnes prennent des laxatifs alors qu'elles n'en ont pas besoin, car elles pensent qu'elles sont constipées si elles ne vont pas aux toilettes tous les jours. Ce n'est pas le cas. Une définition utile de la constipation est le fait d'aller aux toilettes moins souvent que d'habitude et d'évacuer des selles dures lorsque vous y allez.

Docusate sodium is thought to work by encouraging the muscles in your bowel to move waste products through your body. It also draws water into your bowel, which softens the stools, making them easier to pass. Docusate sodium can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail outlets.

Preparations containing docusate sodium are sometimes used to clear the bowel before some medical examinations. When it is used like this, you will be provided with a supply and full instructions for use from your hospital or clinic.

The rest of the information in this leaflet is about docusate sodium when it is used for constipation.

Before taking docusate sodium

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, ask for advice from a doctor or pharmacist before you start taking docusate sodium if any of the following apply to you:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, si vous essayez d'avoir un enfant ou si vous allaitez. En effet, lorsque vous attendez ou nourrissez un enfant, vous ne devez prendre des médicaments que sur recommandation d'un médecin.

• S'il s'agit d'un enfant. En effet, les laxatifs ne doivent être administrés aux enfants que sur les conseils d'un médecin ou d'un professionnel de la santé.

• Si vous ressentez une forte douleur au niveau du ventre (abdomen) ou si vous vous sentez malade.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

How to take docusate sodium

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about docusate sodium and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• The instructions for taking docusate sodium will be on the label of the pack. You can take up to five 100 mg-strength capsules over the course of a day, although you may not need this many. Take the capsules one at a time, at regular intervals throughout the day. Take them with a drink of water to help you swallow.

• If docusate sodium liquid medicine has been prescribed for your child, carefully follow the instructions you are given by your doctor, as the dose will be adjusted according to their age and needs. Do not give docusate sodium to a child unless a doctor has prescribed it.

• Your child's dose of oral liquid medicine can be diluted in a beaker/glass of fruit squash or milk before taking. The mixture must then be swallowed within 30 minutes.

• Docusate sodium should only be used for a short time. This is because your bowel can start to rely on this type of laxative to make it work rather than working on its own. Although it may take a day or so for the capsules/liquid to start working, if you are still constipated after five days, you should make an appointment to speak with your doctor.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Une alimentation saine contenant des fibres (pains et céréales complets, son, fruits et légumes à feuilles vertes), six à huit verres d'eau par jour et de l'exercice physique quotidien sont importants pour maintenir une fonction intestinale saine.

• You can read more about how to prevent or treat constipation in adults and children in the separate leaflets called Constipation (for adults) and Constipation in Children.

Can docusate sodium cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with docusate sodium. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve over the first few days of taking a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes qui pourraient être dus à ce médicament, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

How to store docusate sodium

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments