Docusate

Docusate
	Docusate sodium
Clinical data
Trade names	Colace, Ex-Lax Stool Softener, others
Other names	Dioctyl sulfosuccinate
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a601113
License data	US DailyMed: Docusate;
Pregnancy; category	AU: A;
Routes of; administration	By mouth, rectal
Drug class	Stool softener
ATC code	A06AA02 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	CA: OTC; UK: General sales list (GSL, OTC); US: OTC; In general: Over-the-counter (OTC);
Pharmacokinetic data
Onset of action	12 hrs to 5 days
Duration of action	3 days
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-dioxobutane-2-sulfonic acid;
CAS Number	10041-19-7; as salt: 577-11-7;
PubChem CID	11339; as salt: 23673837;
DrugBank	DB11089; as salt: DBSALT001500;
ChemSpider	10862; as salt: 10861;
UNII	M7P27195AG; as salt: F05Q2T2JA0;
KEGG	as salt: D00305;
ChEBI	CHEBI:534; as salt: CHEBI:4674;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1477036; as salt: ChEMBL1905872;
E number	E480 (thickeners, ...)
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID8022959 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.008.553
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C20H37O7S
Molar mass	421.57 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image; as salt: Interactive image;
Density	1.1 g/cm3
Melting point	153 to 157 °C (307 to 315 °F) 173-179 °C
Solubility in water	1 in 70 parts mg/mL (20 °C)
	SMILES CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)CC(C(=O)OCC(CC)CCCC)S(O)(=O)=O; ; as salt: [Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)C(C(=O)OCC(CC)CCCC)CC(=O)OCC(CC)CCCC;
	InChI InChI=1S/C20H38O7S/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); Key:HNSDLXPSAYFUHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N; ; as salt: 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; Key:APSBXTVYXVQYAB-UHFFFAOYSA-M;

Docusate is the common chemical and pharmaceutical name of the anion bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate, also commonly called dioctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS).

Salts of this anion, especially docusate sodium, are widely used in medicine as an emollient laxative and as stool softeners, by mouth or rectally. Some studies claim that docusate is not more effective than a placebo for improving constipation. Other docusate salts with medical use include those of calcium and potassium. Docusate salts are also used as food additives, emulsifiers, dispersants, and wetting agents, among other uses.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2022, it was the 148th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. In 2022, the combination with senna was the 261st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.