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Alternatives to Colace

Colace is one trade name of the surfactant laxative "ducosate." Ducosate is also sold under other trade names, including Aqualax, Coloxyl, Calube, Correctol, Dialose, Diocto, Doculax, Docusol, Dulcolax, Genasoft, Kasof, Modane, Regulax, Rulfalax, Surfa and Therevac. It is used to treat constipation, especially in conjunction with surgery or hemorrhoids. It coats portions of the intestine to prevent water absorption into the body, leaving more water in the gastrointestinal tract to soften stools. Ducosate is an oral medication in pills or capsules. Side effects may include cramping and occasional allergic reactions. Risks include dehydration and decreased vitamin absorption.

  1. Other Commercial Stool Softeners

    • Non-surfactant chemical stool softeners are osmotics or stimulants. Osmotics do not prevent absorption of water from the intestines; they pull water from outside the intestines into the gastrointestinal tract. Examples of osmotic are milk of magnesia, sorbitol and epsom salts (also called magnesium citrate). Stimulants are chemicals that irritate the bowels until the bowels begin peristaltic movement. Both stimulants and osmotics can cause dependency on the laxative.

    Dietary Alternatives

    • Management of diet can soften stools without the aid of a laxative. High-fiber foods, combined with more water and less white flour and other processed, fiberless grains, can soften stools within 24-48 hours. Acidophilus products like acidophilus milk and yogurt are helpful in repopulating the gut with natural flora, which also assist in softening stools.

    Psyllium

    • Psyllium is a seed husk, pure fiber, which is harvested from the Plantago family of plants, which produce a substance called mucilage -- a gelling agent. Psyllium is widely and safely used as a laxative. It attracts and holds water in a gelatinous form, creating both a softener and a lubricant. Its non-digestibility causes it to pass through the small intestine intact, where it binds with stool during formation. Psyllium is the only laxative that also treats diarrhea. Psyllium is available as a capsule, a powder and as the commercial product called Metamucil.

    Herbs

    • Senna is the most popular herbal remedy for constipation, though it is not recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a medical treatment. Senna is a stimulant laxative with a stool softening action. The active ingredients in senna are called sennosides, and they irritate the bowel muscles to increase the rate of bowel movement. Sennosides have been observed to prevent reabsorption, thereby softening stools in the same way as surfactants. Frequent use of senna can create dependency.

    Oils

    • Mineral oil and castor oil are both used for constipation. The popular belief is that these agents lubricate the gut and allow easier passage of stools. In fact, the evidence suggests that they act in the same way as surfactants like Colace, by preventing reabsorption of water from the gut.

    Aloe Vera

    • Aloe vera is a popular constipation remedy, even though it is untested and unapproved as a laxative by the FDA. Aloe contains anthraquinones, with similar actions to senna, making it a bowel stimulant. Whether it softens stools is not clear from the limited research.

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