Colace Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Constipation is uncomfortable. So it’s normal to consider an over-the-counter (OTC) constipation medication, after taking steps like increasing your water and fiber intake. Colace (docusate sodium) is a popular choice for gentle relief. This stool softener works by letting more water and fats into your stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass.

Colace comes in a variety of dosage forms. And while that means more options, it can also make it difficult to pick one and figure out what the best way to take it is. Below, we’ll cover typical Colace dosages for adults and children to get you started.

Keep in mind that it’s possible your healthcare provider may tell you to take Colace differently than what’s discussed here, as these are general recommendations. Always take your medication as instructed by your provider.

What Colace dosage forms are available?

Colace is a brand-name version of docusate sodium, one of the two available forms of docusate. There’s also docusate calcium, which many people mistakenly refer to as “Colace,” even though it’s only available as a generic medication. Both docusate sodium and docusate calcium work in the same way to relieve constipation.

Docusate sodium comes in a number of dosage forms and doses, including:

• Oral tablets: 100 mg

• Oral capsules: 50 mg, 100 mg, and 250 mg

• Oral liquid: 50 mg/15 mL (preferred for kids), 50 mg/5 mL

• Rectal enema: 100 mg (kids only), 283 mg (adults and adolescents)

Docusate calcium is only available as 240 mg oral capsules.

What’s the typical Colace dosage for adults?

Below, we discuss the typical Colace dosages for adults, as well as adolescents 12 years and older. We also discuss adult dosages for other forms of docusate.

Good to know: Colace and other forms of docusate are only meant for occasional use. If you’ve been taking docusate for 1 week or longer to help with bowel trouble, check in with your healthcare provider.

Oral docusate sodium

The oral docusate sodium dosages for adults are as follows:

• Capsules and tablets: Take 50 mg to 300 mg by mouth daily. You can take this as a single dose or as a few smaller doses spread evenly throughout the day (divided doses). But don’t take more than 300 mg in 24 hours.

• Liquid: Shake bottle well before each dose. Take 50 mg to 300 mg by mouth daily, in single or divided doses. Mix the medication into 6 oz to 8 oz of milk or fruit juice. Don’t take more than 300 mg in 24 hours.

As described above, oral docusate sodium comes in a few different doses. Check the OTC label of your product to know how many pills or milliliters you should take at one time.

Oral docusate calcium

The docusate calcium dosage for adults is 1 capsule (240 mg) by mouth once daily for 2 to 3 days, or until your bowel movements have become normal. Don’t take more than 1 capsule in 24 hours.

Docusate enemas

If an enema is needed, adults should use the 283 mg docusate enemas, unless told otherwise by a healthcare provider. You can use 1 to 3 enemas in 24 hours, according to the medication label. However, some experts recommend using only 1 enema in 24 hours and not using enemas for more than 2 days in a row. Each bottle comes prefilled with enough medication for one dose.

Follow these steps for inserting docusate enemas:

1. Twist off the cap.

2. Place a couple of drops of a personal lubricant on the enema tip and on your anus.

3. Get into either the preferred position for insertion, lying on one side with your knees bent, or an alternate position. (Alternate positions include sitting on the toilet or kneeling and bending forward until your head and shoulders reach the ground.)

4. Gently insert the tip of the enema into your rectum, up to the shoulder of the bottle.

5. Squeeze the bottle.

6. Remove the bottle from your rectum. Keep squeezing the bottle until you fully remove it.

7. Throw away the bottle.

You should have a bowel movement within 2 to 15 minutes. If you still haven’t had a bowel movement after 15 minutes, contact your healthcare provider. This could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a bowel obstruction.

What’s the typical Colace dosage for children?

Colace dosages for children depend on the child’s age. For adolescents 12 years and older, follow the adult dosages as detailed above. The dosages for Colace and other forms of docusate for children under 12 are detailed below.

As mentioned, Colace and other forms of docusate are meant for occasional use. Don’t give your child docusate for more than 1 week without their healthcare provider’s OK.

Oral docusate sodium liquid

It’s best to give children the 50 mg/15 mL docusate sodium liquid. Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure which liquid formulation is appropriate for your child.

The children’s dosages for oral docusate liquid are as follows:

• Children ages 2 to 11 years old: Give 15 mL (50 mg) to 45 mL (150 mg) by mouth daily, in single or divided doses. Don’t give more than 45 mL in 24 hours.

• Children under 2 years old: Ask a healthcare provider first.

If your child doesn’t like the taste of liquid docusate, it can be mixed with other drinks, such as fruit juice. Just make sure your child drinks all of the medication-beverage mixture.

Oral docusate sodium capsules

Not all docusate sodium capsules are safe to give to children under 12 years old. Check the OTC label on the product before giving it to your child.

The children’s dosages for Colace and other docusate sodium capsules are:

• Children ages 2 to 11 years old: Give 50 mg to 150 mg by mouth daily, in single or divided doses. Don’t give more than 150 mg in 24 hours.

• Children under 2 years old: Ask a healthcare provider first.

Docusate enemas

For a child who is between 2 and 11 years old, use 100 mg docusate enemas. And only give them 1 enema in 24 hours. Experts suggest avoiding enema use for more than 2 days in a row.

To give your child an enema, follow the instructions for giving an enema in the adult dosage section of this article. If your child is younger than 2 years old, ask their healthcare provider before giving them an enema.

Your child should have a bowel movement within 2 to 15 minutes after the enema. If there’s been no bowel movement after 15 minutes, contact your child’s healthcare provider for next steps.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Colace and other forms of docusate are relatively safe for most people to take. There aren’t any recommended dosage adjustments for people with certain medical conditions, such as liver or kidney problems. But there are times you may want to ask a healthcare provider before starting treatment with Colace.

Speak with your healthcare provider about docusate if:

• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

• You’ve had a sudden or unusual bowel change in the last 2 weeks.

• You’re experiencing rectal bleeding.

• You follow a sodium-restricted diet.

• You’re experiencing stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting in addition to constipation.

• You’re currently taking mineral oil.

What happens if you miss a dose of Colace?

You’ll likely be taking Colace on an as-needed basis. So if you forget a dose, just take it when you need it again.

If your provider wants you to take Colace regularly, take any missed doses as soon as you remember. Then, return to your usual schedule with your next dose. But be sure not to take more than the recommended maximum daily dose.

What should you do if you take too much Colace?

Colace has a good safety profile. There are no known reports of serious harm related to large dosages. But taking too much Colace can raise your risk of side effects. These side effects could include diarrhea, vomiting, or appetite loss. Stomach cramping is also possible.

If you or a loved one has taken a large amount of Colace or another docusate product, contact a healthcare provider or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. They can advise you on whether further care is needed.

How to save on Colace

There are ways to save on Colace, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. If you have your provider write you a prescription for Colace or another docusate product, GoodRx can help you save over 50% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies:

• Docuate sodium capsules may cost as low as $3.15.

• Docuate sodium oral liquid may cost as low as $2.19.

• Docusate sodium enemas may cost as low as $2.19.

• Docusate calcium capsules may cost as low as $3.97.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Timothy Aungst, PharmD

Timothy Aungst, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy practice for the past decade with different roles and responsibilities. He has served as an associate professor of pharmacy practice for almost a decade, a clinical pharmacist in outpatient cardiology management, and now in home healthcare.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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