GI: cramping, diarrhea, nausea.
GU: pink-red or brown-black discoloration of urine.
F and E: electrolyte abnormalities (chronic use or dependence).
Misc: laxative dependence.
(Generic available)
Noted as sennoside content
- Tablets: 6 mgOTC; 8.6 mgOTC; 15 mg OTC; 17 mgOTC; 25 mgOTC;
- Granules: 15 mg/5 mLOTC; 20 mg/5 mLOTC;
- Syrup: 8.8 mg/5 mLOTC;
- Liquid: 25 mg/15 mLOTC; 33.3 mg/mL senna concentrateOTC;
- In combination with: psyllium and docusateOTC. See Appendix [not included in this PDA edition].
Larger doses have been used to treat/prevent opioid-induced constipation. Consult labeling of individual OTC products for more specific dosing information
- PO (Adults and Children >12 yr): 12–50 mg 1–2 times daily.
- PO (Children 6–12 yr): 6–25 mg 1–2 times daily.
- PO (Children 2–6 yr): 3–12.5 mg 1–2 times daily.
Black-Draught, Ex-Lax, Ex-Lax Chocolated, Fletchers’ Castoria, Maximum Relief Ex-Lax, Sena-Gen, Senexon, Senokot, SenokotXTRA
Therapeutic Classification: laxatives
Pharmacologic Classification: stimulant laxatives
Absorption: Minimally absorbed following oral administration.
Distribution: Unknown.
Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.
Half-life: Unknown.
(laxative effect)
†May take as long as 24 hr.
