Drug & supplement interaction

Fo-ti + Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein

Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein brand names: Correctol, Modane Plus.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Fo-ti has a moderate interaction with Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein. Theoretically, fo-ti, particularly raw fo-ti root, might increase the risk of fluid and electrolyte depletion when taken with stimulant laxatives.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Fo-ti and Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

STIMULANT LAXATIVES

Why this applies to Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein

Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein falls under STIMULANT LAXATIVES — the group Fo-ti interacts with.

Theoretically, fo-ti, particularly raw fo-ti root, might increase the risk of fluid and electrolyte depletion when taken with stimulant laxatives.
Raw fo-ti root contains anthraquinone derivatives, which might have stimulant laxative effects. However, in vitro research shows that fermented and processed fo-ti root have reduced laxative effects compared with raw fo-ti root.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the simple version. Raw Fo-ti root naturally contains compounds called anthraquinones, which gently kick the bowels into action, much like a stimulant laxative does. So if you pair raw Fo-ti with a stimulant laxative product, you're essentially stacking two things that push your gut in the same direction. The worry is that you could lose too much fluid and key minerals, leading to diarrhea, cramping, dizziness, or feeling weak and washed out.

To be fair, this concern is theoretical and based on how these ingredients work, not on strong studies. Processed or fermented Fo-ti seems to have a much weaker laxative punch than the raw root. Still, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before using both together, especially if you already get loose stools.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1993.
  2. Laird AR, Ramchandani N, deGoma EM, et al. Acute hepatitis associated with the use of an herbal supplement (Polygonum multiflorum) mimicking iron-overload syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008;42:861-2. PubMed
  3. Yu J, Xie J, Mao XJ, et al. Comparison of laxative and antioxidant activities of raw, processed and fermented Polygoni multiflori radix. Chin J Nat Med 2012;10(1):63-7. DOI

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Fo-ti Also Interacts With Other Medications

Fo-ti has 1,256 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,256 No known interaction 1,574 (incl. Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Fo-ti

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Fo-ti. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Fo-ti or Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Fo-ti or Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein

This page covers Fo-ti only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein page lists 46 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Jalap (major), Oleander (major), Alder Buckthorn (moderate) and Aloe (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 34 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein page

“Correctol and Modane Plus pair docusate, a stool softener, with phenolphthalein, a stimulant laxative, and the pairings below deserve real caution. Of the 46 supplements and herbs on this list, 29 are plant laxatives that work the same way phenolphthalein does, so doubling up can drain fluid and potassium fast.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Fo-ti as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 976 real supplement products containing Fo-ti, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Fo-ti. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein too, on top of Fo-ti — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Fo-ti and Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Fo-ti
Top 25%

#210 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein
Top 5%

#93 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Fo-ti

What is Fo-ti?

  • Anti-aging and longevity
  • Hair graying and hair loss
  • General tonic for vitality
  • Constipation
  • High cholesterol

Fo-ti (He Shou Wu) is a root used in traditional Chinese medicine, often promoted for healthy aging and hair. High-quality human evidence for these benefits is limited, and processed Fo-ti has been linked to reports of liver injury, so caution and professional guidance are important.

Read the full Fo-ti monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Bisacodyl

What Is Bisacodyl Used For?

Brand names: Correctol, Modane Plus

Bisacodyl is used for the temporary relief of occasional constipation and irregularity. Oral tablets (including Dulcolax Stimulant Laxative and Fleet tablets) generally produce a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours.

Rectal suppositories (such as Dulcolax Laxative, Conlax, Avedana Gentle Laxative, and others) typically work within 15 minutes to 1 hour. The Fleet Enema (rectal) is also used for relief of fecal impaction (a severe blockage of stool) and for removal of residue after barium administration (a procedure used in certain imaging tests), and usually works within 5 to 20 minutes.

See full Bisacodyl drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Fo-ti

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Fo-ti — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
1,256Moderate
0Minor
1,573No known interaction
1,256 Moderate 1,573 No interaction
Moderate

1,256 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,256 moderate interactions — see all 1,256 on the Fo-ti page.

No interaction 1,573 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Fo-ti against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,573 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Fo-ti list.

See the full Fo-ti interactions page
See every supplement checked against Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Fo-ti monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein, ranked by severity Bisacodyl drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Fo-ti and Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein Together: Common Questions

Can you take Fo-ti with Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Fo-ti and Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Docusate Sodium, Phenolphthalein and Fo-ti?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.