This belongs to the group of medicines known as Stimulant laxatives.

Colace is used to treat constipation and is sometimes used to clear the bowel before medical examinations that require the bowel to be empty.

Constipation can be caused by a poor diet, not drinking enough water and not going to the toilet as soon as you feel you need to. Pregnancy, a lack of exercise or movement (such as being ill in bed) and some medicines, including some pain killers, can also cause constipation.

Colace works by encouraging the muscles in the bowel to move waste products (stools) through the body. It also works by drawing water into the bowel, which softens stools, making them easier to pass out of the body

Colace is available in capsule and oral liquid form.

Brands available are: Dioctyl; Docusol.