docusate sodium vs saline laxative

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Docusate sodium works by osmosis to draw water into the colon. How are the mineral citrate solutions (stool softeners) not working by the same mechanism?

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I equated the mineral citrates with “saline laxatives”. Is that right? And, are those also the same as “Saline cathartics”?

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Specializes in MICU.

Hint:

Hypertonic and hypotonic

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It seems like Docusate sodium and the citrates could both be hypertonic and work by osmosis. ?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

look here.......Laxatives , Constipation, treatment options

Then come and ask questions. I think your answer is here.

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ok

How about the second post?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

If you look at the links I provided the answer is there....I thought Ducosate was anionic

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Docusate sodium works by osmosis to draw water into the colon. How are the mineral citrate solutions (stool softeners) not working by the same mechanism?

Actually, docusate does not draw water into the colon. The MOA of docusate is by reducing the surface tension of the oil-water interface of the stool, thus the stool becomes "softer". An example of something that would draw water into the colon would be lactulose, a synthetic sugar.

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