Docusate Sodium: What to Eat and Drink While Taking It
Docusate sodium softens stools. Learn how much to drink, which fibre foods help, which foods to ease off, and when to speak to a GP or pharmacist.
By Reece Douglas · Founder, FreshPlate
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Docusate Sodium: What to Eat and Drink While Taking It
Docusate sodium is a stool softener, and you can take it with or without food. It does not usually upset the stomach, so there is no meal-timing rule.
What you eat and drink still matters, because diet decides how well the medicine works. Below: how much to drink, which foods help, which to ease off, and when to ask for help.
What is docusate sodium and how is it different from stimulant laxatives?
Docusate sodium is a stool softener. It lets water and fats mix into hard, dry stools so they are easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives work differently: they make the muscles in the bowel wall contract to push stools along.
Because docusate works by softening, it needs enough water in your gut and enough bulk in your diet. Fluids and fibre are part of how you get a result.
Docusate is sometimes used together with, or swapped for, other laxatives. If you use more than one type, fluid and salt balance matters more. Our laxatives and electrolytes guide explains why.
- Docusate sodium (stool softener) — softens hard stools so they pass more easily; needs fluid and fibre to work well
- Stimulant laxatives — trigger the bowel muscles to contract; work differently and can cause cramping
- Bulk-forming laxatives (such as ispaghula husk) — add bulk and hold water in the stool; need plenty of fluid
Can you take docusate sodium with food?
Yes, you can take docusate capsules or liquid with or without food. The NHS says it does not usually upset your stomach, so you can fit it around your day rather than around meals.
Swallow capsules whole with a drink, then follow with a glass of water or another drink such as milk or orange juice. Check your pack or ask your pharmacist how often and how much to take; this article does not give dosing advice.
- With a meal — fine — it does not usually upset the stomach
- On an empty stomach — fine — no food rule applies
- With milk — fine — the NHS lists milk as a suitable drink after swallowing
- With orange juice — fine — also listed as a suitable drink after swallowing
- With alcohol — fine — docusate does not interact with alcohol, though alcohol can dehydrate you, which does not help constipation
What about alcohol?
You can drink alcohol with docusate, as there is no direct interaction. The catch is that alcohol dehydrates you, and dehydration makes stools harder. If you are already constipated, keep alcohol modest and drink water alongside it.
How much water should you drink with docusate sodium?
Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day. The NHS advises drinking plenty of fluids such as water to stop constipation getting worse, and gives 6 to 8 glasses as the guide.
A stool softener can only draw in water that is there. If you drink little, stools stay harder. Spread your drinks across the day instead of catching up in the evening.
Water counts, and so do milk, juice, tea and sugar-free squash. Watch sugary drinks, which add calories without much else.
- Water — best choice — 6 to 8 glasses a day is the NHS guide
- Milk — fine — counts towards fluids and suits taking with the medicine
- Orange juice — fine — counts towards fluids; keep to a small glass because of the sugar
- Tea and coffee — fine in normal amounts — they count towards fluids
- Alcohol — fine but not a fluid source — it can dehydrate you
Which foods help constipation while you take docusate sodium?
Fibre-rich foods help. The NHS suggests aiming for about 30g of fibre a day, and says more fibre can help improve constipation and stop it coming back. High-fibre foods include fruit, vegetables and cereals.
Build up gradually. Jumping from little fibre to a lot overnight can cause wind and bloating, and without enough fluid it can make things worse. Add one extra high-fibre food at a time over a week or two.
Fibre comes in more than one type, and each behaves differently in the gut. Our fibre types guide covers soluble and insoluble fibre and where to find each.
- Wholegrain cereals and porridge oats — a simple daily base — easy to add at breakfast
- Fruit with the skin on (pears, apples, berries) — good fibre and some fluid
- Vegetables (broccoli, peas, carrots) — add bulk to lunch and dinner
- Pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas) — high in fibre; introduce slowly to limit wind
- Wheat bran — a bulking agent that helps make poo softer and easier to pass; sprinkle on cereal and drink extra water
- Wholemeal bread and brown rice — easy swaps for white versions
Using wheat bran sensibly
The NHS lists bulking agents such as wheat bran as a way to make poo softer and easier to pass. Start with a small amount stirred into yoghurt or cereal and increase slowly. Always drink extra water with it, because bran without enough fluid can leave you more blocked, not less.
Which foods should you ease off while constipated?
Ease off pastries, puddings, sweets, cheese and cake for a while. The NHS says these foods can make constipation worse, so it may be a good idea to stop eating them until things improve.
This is a short-term adjustment while your bowels recover, and it makes room for the higher-fibre foods that help.
If docusate makes you feel sick, the NHS advice is to stick to simple meals and avoid rich or spicy food.
- Pastries — take care — can make constipation worse
- Puddings — take care — can make constipation worse
- Sweets — take care — can make constipation worse
- Cheese — take care — can make constipation worse; swap for a lower-fat protein for a while
- Cake — take care — can make constipation worse
- Rich or spicy food — take care if you feel sick — stick to simple meals
When should you see a GP or pharmacist about constipation?
Speak to a pharmacist if diet changes and docusate have not helped after a few days, or if you are unsure how to use it. A pharmacist can check the product is right for you and whether another type of laxative suits better.
See a GP if constipation lasts more than a few weeks, comes with blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, severe or worsening tummy pain, or a marked change in your normal bowel habit. Do not keep increasing laxatives without advice.
Children, pregnant women and people with other health conditions or medicines should check with a pharmacist or GP before starting a laxative.
- Pharmacist — no improvement after a few days, questions about how to take it, or other medicines in the mix
- GP — constipation lasting weeks, blood in stool, severe pain, unexplained weight loss, or a lasting change in bowel habit
- Urgent help — severe tummy pain with vomiting and being unable to pass wind or stool
How FreshPlate helps you eat around docusate sodium
FreshPlate builds recipes around your medicines, so a constipation plan can lean on fibre-rich meals, keep your fluids on track and leave out the foods you want to ease off. If you take other medicines too, the plan accounts for those as well.
FreshPlate also has a free food and medication interaction checker you can use to check any food or drink against docusate in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take docusate sodium with food?
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Yes. You can take docusate capsules or liquid with or without food, as it does not usually upset your stomach.
How much water should I drink when taking docusate?
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Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day. Docusate softens stools by drawing in water, so it works better when you are well hydrated.
Can you drink alcohol while taking docusate sodium?
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Yes, docusate does not interact with alcohol. Alcohol can dehydrate you, though, which can make constipation worse, so keep it modest and drink water too.
What foods should I avoid with constipation?
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The NHS suggests easing off pastries, puddings, sweets, cheese and cake for a while, as they can make constipation worse. Eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals instead.
Is docusate a stimulant laxative?
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No. Docusate is a stool softener that makes stools easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives work differently by making the bowel muscles contract.
Sources
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