Docusate, which is available without a prescription, is used to treat constipation and is in a class of laxatives known as
stool softeners.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or
interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or
function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. |
Magnesium*
Potassium*
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Supportive interaction |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Adverse interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Magnesium
A woman and her newborn infant experienced low blood levels of magnesium, which was possibly
due to chronic use of docusate throughout and after pregnancy.1 Controlled research
is necessary to determine whether people taking docusate for long periods of time need to
supplement magnesium.
Potassium
Taking docusate increases the amount of potassium excreted from the body in the
stool.2 Whether people taking docusate for long periods of time need to increase
their intake of potassium is unknown.
References:1. Schindler AM. Isolated neonatal hypomagnesaemia associated with
maternal overuse of stool softener. Lancet 1984;2:822 [letter].
2. Moriarty KJ, Kelly MJ, Beetham R, Clark ML. Studies on the mechanism
of action of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate in the human jejunum. Gut
1985;26:1008–13.