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Co-danthrusate

How does it work?

Co-danthrusate capsules and suspension contain two active ingredients, dantron and docusate sodium. This combination is known as co-danthrusate.

Dantron is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. It works by stimulating the nerve endings in the walls of the intestines. This causes the muscles in the intestinal wall to contract more often and with increased force. When these muscles contract they move the contents of the gut along the intestines, thereby relieving constipation.

Docusate sodium is known as a faecal softener. It helps water to be drawn into the faecal material, which increases the water content and volume of the stools, making them softer and easier to pass.

Co-danthrusate is usually only prescribed to treat constipation in people who are terminally ill. Constipation is one of the major side effects of strong opioid painkillers such as morphine, diamorphine and fentanyl, which are often needed to relieve the pain of conditions such as cancer.

It can take 6 to 12 hours for this medicine to produce its effect. The dose is taken at night to produce an effect the following morning.

What is it used for?

  • Treatment of constipation in terminally ill people.

How do I take it?

  • Co-danthrusate capsules and suspension can be taken with or without food.
  • The dose prescribed will depend on the severity of the constipation. It is important to follow the instructions given by your doctor. These will be printed on the dispensing label your pharmacist has put on the packet of medicine.
  • For the capsules, the usual adult dose is one to three capsules to be taken at night. For children aged 6 to 12 years the usual dose is one capsule at night.
  • For the suspension, the usual adult dose is one to three 5ml spoonfuls to be taken at night. For children aged 6 to 12 years the usual dose is one 5ml spoonful at night.

Warning!

  • This medicine may colour the urine red/orange. This is normal and not harmful.
  • When this medicine is passed out of the body in the urine and stools it can be irritant to the skin. For people using incontinence pads or children wearing nappies, these should be changed regularly so that prolonged contact of the medicine with the skin is avoided.
  • Prolonged use of this medicine is not recommended.

Use with caution in

  • People who are incontinent and children who are wearing nappies (see warning above).

Not to be used in

  • People with abdominal pain where the cause is not known.
  • People with a blockage in the gut (intestinal obstruction).
  • Pregnancy.
  • Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

  • The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
  • It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Mothers who need to take this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

  • This medicine may colour your urine. This is harmless.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

  • Red/orange colouration of urine.
  • Irritation, redness or discolouration of the skin around the anus (back passage) with prolonged use. See also warning section above.
  • Skin rash.

Dantron has been shown to cause tumours in the liver and bowel of experimental animals (rats and mice) in clinical trials. These effects have not been shown in humans, but there is a theroetical risk of similar effects, which is why the medicine is usually reserved for people who are terminally ill.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not known to significantly affect other medicines. However, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Normax