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Key takeaways
Docusate sodium, a commonly prescribed over-the-counter (OTC) stool softener for relieving constipation, is available in various forms including capsules, tablets, and liquids, with an average cost of about $9 for a 60-day supply without insurance.
Health insurance, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid typically do not cover docusate, but some plans may cover it when included in prescription prenatal vitamins.
Alternatives to docusate sodium include generic MiraLAX, milk of magnesia, and lactulose, with costs varying from $8 to $34 depending on the product and quantity.
Significant savings on docusate sodium can be achieved through using a SingleCare prescription discount card, potentially lowering the price to as low as $3 for a 60-day supply.
- Is docusate sodium covered by insurance?
- How much does docusate sodium cost without insurance?
- How to get docusate sodium without insurance
- What is the brand name for docusate sodium?
- Is docusate sodium covered by insurance?
- How much does docusate sodium cost without insurance?
- Compare Colace (docusate sodium) prices to related drugs
- How to get docusate sodium without insurance
- Is docusate sodium covered by insurance?
- How much does docusate sodium cost without insurance?
- How to get docusate sodium without insurance
- What is the brand name for docusate sodium?
- Is docusate sodium covered by insurance?
- How much does docusate sodium cost without insurance?
- Compare Colace (docusate sodium) prices to related drugs
- How to get docusate sodium without insurance
Docusate sodium is an over-the-counter (OTC) stool softener, which is a type of laxative. Docusate—available as docusate sodium and docusate calcium—helps relieve constipation symptoms by increasing the amount of water absorbed by stools. The extra water softens the stools, making it easier to have bowel movements. Common side effects of docusate include cramping, stomach pain, and diarrhea. The FDA has approved OTC docusate as an initial treatment of occasional constipation, so healthcare professionals commonly prescribe or recommend docusate. It is the most commonly prescribed laxative. People taking docusate have a few options on how to take it. They can take it as a capsule, tablet, liquid, fruit punch, suppository, or enema. Some of these formats are designed for easy administration to children.
Related: Colace dosage
What is the brand name for docusate sodium?
The best-known docusate brands are Colace, Dulcolax Stool Softener, and Phillip’s Stool Softener. Docusate is also the only active ingredient in Dulcoease, DOK, Dozate, Pedia-Lax, and Enemeez.
Some brand-name laxatives, such as DSS, combine docusate with senna, a stimulant laxative. Some prescription prenatal/postnatal prescription dietary supplements, such as Citra-Natal and Prenaissance, contain docusate, vitamins, and minerals.
Is docusate sodium covered by insurance?
Docusate is not usually covered by health insurance, Medicare Part D, or Medicaid. Some insurance plans cover prescription prenatal vitamins that also contain docusate.
How much does docusate sodium cost without insurance?
People with and without health insurance will usually pay the full retail price for docusate. The average cash price for 60, 100 mg capsules of generic docusate is about $9. The recommended dose is one tablet per day, so 60 capsules are enough to last two months.
For most people, taking docusate should not be a long-term daily habit. Docusate package instructions generally advise taking the laxative no longer than a week. After that, it is recommended to see a doctor or other healthcare provider. If docusate is used long-term, expect to pay about $300 per year if it is taken every day.
Alternative stool softeners include generic MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol), milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide), and lactulose. A 238-gram package of MiraLAX powder costs about $17. This is enough powder for 14 doses, so a month’s worth of MiraLAX will cost about $34. Eight dollars is enough to purchase a 473 mL bottle of Phillips Milk of Magnesia. Depending on the dosage (30 mL or 60 mL per day), the bottle contains eight to 16 daily doses.
People can also consider using other types of laxatives, including lubricant laxatives such as mineral oil, stimulant laxatives such as Dulcolax (bisacodyl), and bulk laxatives such as fiber. Some laxatives may be cheaper, but they’ll have different side effects. Ask a healthcare provider for medical advice before switching from a gentle laxative like docusate to another type of laxative.
The best savings may be found with a SingleCare prescription discount card. With SingleCare, the lowest discounted price for a 60-day supply of generic docusate sodium capsules or brand-name Colace capsules can be as low as $3.
Compare Colace (docusate sodium) prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Docusate sodium | $41 per 30, 1 gm of 85-15% powder | $27 per 30, 1 gm of 85-15% powder of generic docusate sodium | See latest prices |
| Colace
(docusate sodium) |
$26 per 60, 100 mg capsules | $2 per 60, 100 mg capsules of generic docusate sodium | See latest prices |
| Docusate calcium | $8 per 30, 240 mg capsules of generic docusate calcium | $1 per 30, 240 mg capsules of generic docusate calcium | See latest prices |
| Miralax | $17 per 238 gm of 17 gm/scoop powder | $2 per 238 gm of 17 gm/scoop powder of generic polyethylene glycol | See latest prices |
| Senna | $10 per 60, 8.6 mg tablets of generic senna | $2per 60, 8.6 mg tablets of generic senna | See latest prices |
| Metamucil | $7 per 30, 0.5 gm capsules | $3 per 30, 0.5 gm capsules of generic psyllium fiber | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get docusate sodium without insurance
Generic docusate sodium is among the lowest-priced OTC laxatives. A 60-day supply of docusate sodium capsules costs about $9, but other dosage forms, such as docusate liquid or enemas, may cost more. Even at that price, it’s possible to save money on both generic and brand-name docusate stool softeners. A good place to save money on OTC and prescription medications is SingleCare.
1. Save money by using a SingleCare savings card
With a free coupon from SingleCare, a 60-day supply of docusate sodium capsules can cost less than $3. Discounts vary by participating pharmacy, so browse available discounted prices on SingleCare’s docusate sodium coupons page. This page also includes additional savings and drug information in the FAQs section at the bottom.
2. Shop for the lowest price
Simply looking for the best price can net big savings. Using SingleCare’s pharmacy finder, you can find a prescription of 60 docusate capsules for only $4, about $5 off the average retail price, at a pharmacy near you.
3. Buy generic rather than brand-name docusate
Although brand names are featured on the store shelf, the generic versions of docusate sodium are the same drug. Savings can be considerable. It may be hard to identify generic docusate on a store shelf. Some generic brands label docusate capsules as “Stool Softener,” but that label can be misleading. Some drugs labeled “Stool Softener” contain docusate, and others contain polyethylene glycol. Look for a generic stool softener on the store shelf and then look at the active ingredients listed on the package to make sure it’s docusate.