Senna

Generic Name: senna (SEN nah)

Brand Names: Black Draught, Dr Caldwell Laxative, Ex-Lax Chocolated, Ex-Lax Maximum Relief Formula, Ex-Lax Regular Strength Pills, Fletchers Castoria, Innerclean, Little Tummys Laxative Drops, Pedia-Lax, Perdiem Overnight, Senexon, Senna, Senna Lax, Senna Smooth, Senna-gen, Senokot, Senokot Extra, Senokot To Go, SenoSol, SenoSol-X

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Jan 20, 2019.

What is Senna?

Senna is a natural medicine containing sennosides that are derived from the leaves of the senna plant. Sennosides irritate the lining of the bowel causing a laxative effect.

Senna has been used in alternative medicine as a laxative and an aid to treat constipation.

Not all uses for senna have been approved by the FDA. It should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Senna is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Important information

Not all uses for senna have been approved by the FDA. Senna should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Senna is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Use senna as directed on the label, or as your healthcare provider has prescribed. Do not use this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using senna. Do not use this product for longer than 1 week without the advice of a healthcare provider.

Before taking this medicine

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use senna if you have:

a bowel disorder such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis;

heart disease; or

stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

It is not known whether senna will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether senna passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Some forms of senna are made for use by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take Senna?

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use senna, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

Senna is usually taken before bed to produce a bowel movement 6 to 12 hours later when you wake up.

Measure liquid senna with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Do not use different formulations of senna (such as tablets and liquid) at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of senna.

Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using senna. Do not use this product for longer than 1 week without the advice of a healthcare provider.

Store senna at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Senna side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to senna: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your healthcare provider at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea, watery diarrhea;

weight loss;

worsening constipation after you stop taking senna;

enlargement of your fingers and toes;

low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or

nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious senna side effects may include:

stomach cramps, bloating, gas, mild diarrhea;

numbness or tingly feeling;

joint pain; or

discolored urine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Senna?

Do not take senna without the advice of a healthcare provider if you are using any of the following medications:

digoxin (Lanoxin);

a diuretic (water pill); or

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with senna. Tell your healthcare provider about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Further information

Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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