senna

What is the most important information I should know about senna?

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is senna?

Senna is also known as Cassia, Fan Xie Ye, Alejandrina, Séné, Sennae, and Tinnevelly.

Senna is likely effective in alternative medicine as an aid in treating occasional constipation in adults and children at least 2 years old. Senna is sometimes used together with another laxative or stool softener such as lactulose, psyllium, docusate, or mineral oil.

Senna is possibly effective as a bowel preparation before colonoscopy.

Other uses not proven with research include weight loss, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, anal fissures (tears in the lining of the anus), or after anal or rectal surgery.

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.

Senna may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking senna?

• diarrhea or loose stools;
• severe stomach pain;
• swelling or a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
• Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis;
• hemorrhoids, anal prolapse; or
• if you are dehydrated.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have ever had:

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood);
• any change in bowel habits that has lasted longer than 2 weeks;
• long-term bowel problems;
• heart disease; or
• stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Senna should produce a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours after you take it.

Senna may be unsafe when taken long-term or in high doses. Using senna for longer than 2 weeks may cause your bowels to stop functioning normally. Long-term use may also cause a serious electrolyte imbalance. Certain electrolyte imbalances can cause muscle weakness, heart problems, liver damage, and other harmful effects.

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?

What should I avoid while taking senna?

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

What are the possible side effects of senna?

• rectal bleeding;
• no bowel movement within 12 hours after using senna; or
• low potassium level --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Constipation is the most common side effect of senna. Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect senna?

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• digoxin (Lanoxin);
• a diuretic (water pill); or
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect senna, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more 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.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 2/19/2021.