Can I take expired stool softener?

Studies have found that most medications maintain their potency for at least one to two years after they expire and some have been found to maintain potency for as long as 15 years. As such, the medication in your cabinet may still be okay to use, depending on its use.

Is it OK to take expired docusate?

There is virtually no risk in taking them, even long after the “expiration” date, because they won’t hurt you. At the worst, they might not be quite as effective as something you bought just this morning.

Is it okay to take a laxative that has been expired for 2 years?

Drs. Vogel and Supe agree it’s good not to take any over-the-counter drug that’s expired, though both say to use your best judgment if you have a stockpile of meds. A week or a month, or even up to a year, after the expiration date probably won’t hurt you, the medicine will just be less effective.

Can you use Dulcolax after expiration date?

Do not use DULCOLAX after the expiry date (EXP) on the foil, blister pack or carton. If you use it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well. Do not use DULCOLAX if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

What softens stool quickly?

Home remedies

• Abdominal massage. Sometimes a stomach massage can help stimulate the bowels if they’re not moving enough to help stool digest more quickly.
• Drink more water. Increasing water in the digestive tract can make stool softer and easier to pass.
• Eat more fiber.
• Avoid empty-calorie, low-fiber foods.
• Exercise.

How long after expiration date can medicine be used?

What they found from the study is 90\% of more than 100 drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, were perfectly good to use even 15 years after the expiration date. So, the expiration date doesn’t really indicate a point at which the medication is no longer effective or has become unsafe to use.

How do you use a stool softener?

Take stool softeners exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the docusate capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Take capsules and tablets with a full glass of water.

How long do stool softeners last?

Time table

Type of laxative	How long does it take to work?
Emollient	12 to 72 hours
Bulk-forming	12 to 24 hours (some effect) 48 to 72 hours (full effect)
Lubricant	6 to 8 hours
Hyperosmotic	48 to 72 hours (lactulose) 30 minutes to 3 hours (saline) 6 hours or longer (polymer)

Is Dulcolax a stool softener?

Try Dulcolax® Stool Softener – it’s a stimulant free laxative that softens dry, hard stool, so your next bowel movement can happen sooner (within 12- 72 hours).

How do you push out poop when it’s stuck?

The most common treatment for a fecal impaction is an enema, which is special fluid that your doctor inserts into your rectum to soften your stool. An enema often makes you have bowel movements, so it’s possible that you’ll be able to push out the mass of stool on your own once it’s been softened by the enema.

Can you soften stool that is already hard?

Treatment for the condition starts with removal of the impacted stool. After that, steps are taken to prevent future fecal impactions. A warm mineral oil enema is often used to soften and lubricate the stool. However, enemas alone are not enough to remove a large, hardened impaction in most cases.

How long is it safe to take a stool softener for?

Stool softeners are intended for occasional use-do not take them for longer than seven days in a row without prior approval from your physician. Do not give stool softeners to children who are under the age of six years old, without approval from a doctor.

Is it safe to take stool softeners every day?

Yes, you can take the stool softener everyday. Make sure you drink a lot of water and get as active as you can… Good luck… yes, you can take it every day, however, your body can become dependent on it to have a bowel movement.

How many stool softeners can I take?

The maximum daily dosage for stool softeners depends on the age of the individual taking the medication and how it is administered. For docusate stool softeners taken orally, the normal daily dosage for adolescents and adults is 200 mg, but the maximum daily dosage is 500 mg.

How do stool softeners help ease the go?

Stool softeners and laxatives Emollient laxative (also known as a stool softener) How it works: It helps wet and soften the stool. Bulk-forming laxative. How it works: It forms a gel in your stool that helps hold more water in your stool. Lubricant laxative. Hyperosmotic laxative. Saline laxative. Stimulant laxative.