Senokot

Generic name: Senna
Drug class: Laxatives

Usage of Senokot

Senna is an herb also known as Alexandrian Senna, Casse, Fan Xie Ye, Indian Senna, Khatoum Senna, Sen, Sena Alejandrina, Sennae Folium, Sennae Fructus, Sennosides, Tinnevelly Senna, True Senna, and other names.

Senna is likely effective in alternative medicine as an aid in treating occasional constipation in adults and children at least 2 years old.

Senna has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in emptying the bowel before a colonoscopy.

Other uses not proven with research have included weight loss, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and other conditions.

It is not certain whether senna is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not 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.

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

Senokot side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Senna may cause serious side effects. Stop using senna and call your doctor at once if you have:

rectal bleeding;

no bowel movement within 12 hours after using senna; or

low blood potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects of Senokot may include:

stomach pain, discomfort, or cramps;

diarrhea, or an urgent need to have a bowel movement;

nausea, gas; or

discoloration of your urine.

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.

Before taking Senokot

You should not use senna if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

diarrhea;

hemorrhoids;

stomach pain;

a blockage in your intestines;

inflammatory bowel disease; or

appendicitis.

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;

stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting; or

if you are taking mineral oil.

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

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

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How to use Senokot

When considering the use of senna, 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.

Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water and do not crush, chew, or break it.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Measure liquid product with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Taking more than your recommended dose will not make this product more effective, and may cause serious side effects.

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

Do not use different forms of senna (tablets, liquids, and others) at the same time or you could have an overdose.

Call your healthcare provider if your constipation does not improve after 1 week of using senna, or if constipation gets worse. Do not take senna for longer than 1 week, unless your healthcare provider has told you to.

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

Warnings

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 other drugs will affect Senokot

Do not take senna without medical advice if you are using the following medications:

warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

a diuretic (water pill).

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.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com'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. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com 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.