Key points about Laxsol

  • Laxsol is a laxative used to treat and prevent constipation.
  • It is a combination of 2 medicines, docusate and senna, in a single tablet.
  • Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
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Laxsol is mainly used to treat constipation, but it may be used to prevent constipation in people who are taking opioid medicines. It is a combination of 2 medicines, docusate and senna, in a single tablet.

  • Docusate increases the amount of fluid in your stools (poo) to soften them and make them easier to pass.
  • Senna stimulates the muscles in your gut to help move your stools along so they can be passed more easily.

Read more about constipation and medicines for constipation (called laxatives). 

  • In New Zealand Laxsol is available as tablets. 
  • The usual dose of Laxsol is 1 or 2 tablets at night.
  • Some people may be prescribed higher doses.
  • Swallow your tablets with a full glass of water.
  • You can take Laxsol with or without food. 
  • It usually takes 6 to 12 hours before Laxsol works and causes a bowel movement (poo). 
    • To treat constipation: take Laxsol for a few days only.
    • To prevent constipation: take Laxsol every day to prevent constipation.
  • Always take your Laxsol exactly as your doctor has told you.
  • The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much Laxsol to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

The common side effects of laxatives are stomach pain or cramps, bloating, gas in your tummy, flatulence (farting).

Other side effects include the following:

  • Constipation – ongoing use of laxatives can cause constipation because your bowel loses muscle and nerve response, and can no longer move poos out. This leads to a dependency on the laxative and higher doses are needed to poo.
  • Diarrhoea and dehydration – taking too much of some laxatives can lead to diarrhoea (runny poo) and losing too much salt from your body.

Laxsol may make your pee and poo an orange-red colour. This is harmless.

The following links have more information on Laxsol.

Docusate and sennoside B(external link) Patient Information, NZ Formulary

References

  1. Docusate and sennoside B(external link) NZ Formulary
  2. Managing constipation in older people(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2019

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Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland

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