docusate sodium + sennosides

Colace Plus is a dual-action over-the-counter (OTC) laxative and stool softener combination product containing docusate sodium (50 mg) and sennosides (8.6 mg). It is indicated for the gentle, overnight relief of occasional constipation. Docusate sodium acts as an anionic surfactant (stool softener) that lowers the surface tension of fecal material, allowing water and lipids to penetrate and soften the stool. Sennosides, derived from the senna plant, are prodrugs that are metabolized by colonic bacteria into the active metabolite rheinanthrone. Rheinanthrone stimulates colonic peristalsis and increases fecal water content by decreasing aquaporin-3 expression and promoting electrolyte secretion. Colace Plus is marketed in Canada by Norwell Consumer Healthcare.

Brand names

Colace Plus

Other names

docusate and sennadocusate sodium and sennosidessenna and docusatesennosides and docusate sodium