senna

REMS

Treatment of constipation, particularly when associated with:
- Slow transit time,
- Constipating drugs,
- Irritable or spastic bowel syndrome,
- Neurologic constipation.

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity;
Abdominal pain of unknown cause, especially if associated with fever;
Rectal fissures;
Ulcerated hemorrhoids;
Known alcohol intolerance (some liquid products).

Use Cautiously in:

Chronic use (may lead to laxative dependence);
Possible intestinal obstruction;
OB: Other agents recommended for treatment of constipation in pregnancy (↑ risk of electrolyte abnormalities).

F and E: electrolyte abnormalities (chronic use or dependence)

GI: cramping, diarrhea, nausea

GU: pink-red or brown-black discoloration of urine

Misc: laxative dependence

Drug-drug:

May ↓ absorption of other orally administered drugs because of ↓ transit time.

(Generic available)

Tablets: 8.6 mg^OTC; 15 mg ^OTC; 17.2 mg^OTC; 25 mg^OTC
Syrup: 8.8 mg/5 mL^OTC

Larger doses have been used to treat/prevent opioid-induced constipation. Consult labeling of individual OTC products for more specific dosing information
PO (Adults ): 17.2–50 mg 1–2 times daily.
PO (Children 12–17 yr): 17.6–26.4 mg 1–2 times daily
PO (Children 6–11 yr): 8.8–13.2 mg 1–2 times daily.
PO (Children 2–6 yr): 4.4–6.6 mg 1–2 times daily.

Active components of senna (sennosides) alter water and electrolyte transport in the large intestine, resulting in accumulation of water and increased peristalsis.

Therapeutic effects:

Laxative action.

Therapeutic Classification: laxatives

Pharmacologic Classification: stimulant laxatives

Absorption: Minimally absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: Unknown.

(laxative effect)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	6–12 hr‡	unknown	3–4 days

‡May take as long as 24 hr.

Advise patient that laxatives should be used only for short-term therapy. Long-term therapy may cause electrolyte imbalance and dependence.
Encourage patient to use other forms of bowel regulation, such as increasing bulk in the diet, increasing fluid intake, and increasing mobility. Normal bowel habits are individualized and may vary from 3 times/day to 3 times/wk.
Inform patient that this medication may cause a change in urine color to pink, red, violet, yellow, or brown.
Instruct patients with cardiac disease to avoid straining during bowel movements (Valsalva maneuver).
Advise patient not to use laxatives when abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or fever is present.
Rep: Advise females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected.

NDC Code

16103- Pharbest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- 16103-363- Senna Tabs
  - 16103-363-08- 100 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (16103-363-08)

16103- Pharbest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- 16103-363- Senna Tabs
  - 16103-363-11- 1000 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (16103-363-11)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-0363- Senna Tabs
  - 17856-0363-1- 100 POUCH in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-0363-1) / 1 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 POUCH (17856-0363-3)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-0363- Senna Tabs
  - 17856-0363-2- 100 POUCH in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-0363-2) / 1 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 POUCH (17856-0363-4)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-1127- OneLAX SENNA
  - 17856-1127-1- 120 SYRINGE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-1127-1) / 2.5 mL in 1 SYRINGE (17856-1127-5)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-1127- OneLAX SENNA
  - 17856-1127-2- 72 CUP, UNIT-DOSE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-1127-2) / 5 mL in 1 CUP, UNIT-DOSE (17856-1127-6)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-1127- OneLAX SENNA
  - 17856-1127-3- 72 CUP, UNIT-DOSE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-1127-3) / 10 mL in 1 CUP, UNIT-DOSE (17856-1127-7)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-1127- OneLAX SENNA
  - 17856-1127-4- 72 CUP, UNIT-DOSE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-1127-4) / 15 mL in 1 CUP, UNIT-DOSE (17856-1127-8)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-8237- SENNA
  - 17856-8237-1- 72 CUP, UNIT-DOSE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-8237-1) / 5 mL in 1 CUP, UNIT-DOSE (17856-8237-6)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-8237- SENNA
  - 17856-8237-3- 120 SYRINGE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-8237-3) / 2.5 mL in 1 SYRINGE (17856-8237-7)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-8237- SENNA
  - 17856-8237-4- 48 SYRINGE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-8237-4) / 5 mL in 1 SYRINGE (17856-8237-8)

17856- ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
- 17856-8237- SENNA
  - 17856-8237-5- 72 CUP, UNIT-DOSE in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (17856-8237-5) / 10 mL in 1 CUP, UNIT-DOSE

43063- PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- 43063-838- Senna Laxative
  - 43063-838-10- 10 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (43063-838-10)

43063- PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- 43063-838- Senna Laxative
  - 43063-838-30- 30 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (43063-838-30)

68094- Precision Dose, Inc.
- 68094-049- SENNA
  - 68094-049-62- 3 TRAY in 1 CASE (68094-049-62) / 10 CUP, UNIT-DOSE in 1 TRAY / 5 mL in 1 CUP, UNIT-DOSE (68094-049-59)

71399- Akron Pharma Inc.
- 71399-0027- OneLAX SENNA
  - 71399-0027-8- 237 mL in 1 BOTTLE (71399-0027-8)

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Indications ⬇

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Pronunciation ⬆ ⬇

Code ⬆