Sennosides (Senna)

Indications

Sennosides (Senna) is used for: Constipation, Bowel evacuation

Adult Dose

Oral Constipation Adult: 15-30 mg (as total sennosides) 1-2 times daily. Bowel evacuation Adult: 105-157.5 mg of sennosides on the day before the procedure. May be given as a liquid preparation.

Child Dose

Oral Constipation Child: 2-6 yr: 3.75-7.5 mg once daily in the morning; 6-12 yr: 7.5-15 mg once daily at night or in the morning; >12 yr: 15-30 mg at bedtime.

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Nausea or vomiting, undiagnosed abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction.

Precautions

Inflammatory bowel disease. Avoid prolonged use.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Side Effects

Side effects of Sennosides (Senna) : Mild abdominal discomfort e.g. colic and cramps; diarrhoea, hypokalaemia and atonic non-functioning colon (prolonged use); reversible melanosis coli (chronic use). May colour the urine yellowish-brown at acidic pH or red at alkaline pH.

Mode of Action

Sennosides A and B increase intestinal motility through release of active anthraquinones into the colon by colonic bacteria. Purified sennosides (sennosides A and B) are used similarly to senna.