Constipation, according to the American College of Physicians "Complete Home Medical Guide," is most common in females, children and the elderly. It is characterized by stool that is hard, small and difficult to pass. Constipation can be remedied at home with fiber supplements or with a laxative. Dulcolax Stool Softener is a laxative that, according to their website, provides constipation relief within 12 to 72 hours. Dulcolax Stool Softener contains only one active ingredient to alleviate constipation.
Active Ingredient
Duclolax Stool Softener contains one active ingredient—100mg of docusate sodium per pill. Docusate sodium use is for short-term constipation relief. Drugs.com says docusate sodium is a dioctyl salt that allows water to mix with stool making it easier to pass.
Dulcolax Stool Softener suggests one to three pills daily, or until constipation is relieved, for adults and children older than 12 years of age. Children younger than 12 should take only one pill daily for relief.
Inactive Tableting Ingredients
Tableting agents are mixed together to ensure consistency of the active ingredients. They also help bind ingredients to form the pill or tablet. The inactive tableting ingredients in Dulcolax Stool Softener are gelatin, glycerin, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol and purified water.
Inactive Flavoring and Color
Dulcolax Stool Softener pills are reddish-orange in color and that is due to FD&C Red No. 40 and FD&C Yellow No. 6 being added to the formula. According to Red40.com, a medical site detailing Red No. 40, the letter "D" in the names indicate the coloring is made specifically for consumption in drug formulas. Titanium dioxide is also a color agent used to balance and give brightness to the tablet.
Sorbitol special serves two purposes in Duclolax Stool Softener. It acts as a sweetener for flavor, and as an ingredient that works with gelatin in pill formation.
References
- "Complete Home Medical Guide"; American College of Physicians; 2003
- Dulcolax.com: Dulcolax Stool Softener
- RedDye40.com
