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Details

Stereochemistry MIXED
Molecular Formula C20H37O7S.Na
Molecular Weight 444.558
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 3
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of DOCUSATE SODIUM

SMILES

[Na+].CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)CC(C(=O)OCC(CC)CCCC)S([O-])(=O)=O

InChI

InChIKey=APSBXTVYXVQYAB-UHFFFAOYSA-M
InChI=1S/C20H38O7S.Na/c1-5-9-11-16(7-3)14-26-19(21)13-18(28(23,24)25)20(22)27-15-17(8-4)12-10-6-2;/h16-18H,5-15H2,1-4H3,(H,23,24,25);/q;+1/p-1

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula C20H37O7S
Molecular Weight 421.569
Charge -1
Count
MOL RATIO 1 MOL RATIO (average)
Stereochemistry MIXED
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 3
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED

Molecular Formula Na
Molecular Weight 22.9898
Charge 1
Count
MOL RATIO 1 MOL RATIO (average)
Stereochemistry ACHIRAL
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 0
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity NONE

Description

Docusate, also known as docusate salts or dioctyl sulfosuccinate, prevents/relieves dry hard stool and thus is used to treat constipation. Results usually occurs 1 to 3 days after the first dose. In North America, docusate and a stimulant laxative such as sennosides are commonly used in bowel treatment protocols associated with institutionalized elderly and oncology treatments. A paucity of evidence is available to support the use of the stool softener docusate yet it continues to be prescribed in everyday clinical practice for the aforementioned populations. While the actual cost of docusate is low, additional costs associated with its administration (i.e. nursing time) and its widespread use can be significant. Docusate is absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted via the gallbladder after undergoing extensive metabolism. The effect of docusate may not necessarily be all due to its surfactant properties. Perfusion studies suggest that docusate inhibits fluid absorption or stimulates secretion in the portion of the small intestine known as the jejunum

Approval Year

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Palliative
Unknown

PubMed

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide
Usual Adult Dose for Constipation: Oral: 50 to 400 mg (using any of the salt forms) orally administered in 1 to 4 equally divided doses each day. Rectal: 200 to 283 mg rectally administered as an enema once or twice. Alternative: 50 to 100 mg (docusate sodium liquid) added to a retention or flushing enema once a day. Usual Pediatric Dose for Constipation: Oral: less than 3 years: 10 to 40 mg (docusate sodium) orally divided in 1 to 4 doses. 3 to 6 years: 20 to 60 mg (docusate sodium) orally divided in 1 to 4 doses. 6 to 12 years: 40 to 150 mg (docusate sodium) orally divided in 1 to 4 doses. greater than 12 years: 50 to 400 mg (using any of the salt forms) orally administered in 1 to 4 equally divided doses each day. Rectal: 3 to 18 years: 50 to 100 mg (docusate sodium liquid) added to a retention or flushing enema once a day. Alternative: 200 to 283 mg rectally administered as an enema once daily as needed for constipation.
Route of Administration: Other
In Vitro Use Guide
It was evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of docusate against herpes simplex viruses (HSV). Docusate was effective in vitro against wild type and drug-resistant strains of HSV type 1 and 2 with EC(90-100) (effective concentration giving 90-100% virus yield reduction) of approximately 0.005% (w/v). The cytotoxicity profiles of docusate were time- and dose-dependent and thus associated with the frequency of use. Kinetics of inactivation examined by pre-mixing virus and drug in a time-course experiment demonstrated that docusate could reach its EC(90-100) within 30 min.
Substance Class Chemical
Record UNII
F05Q2T2JA0
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version