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
Adverse 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.
Mechanism 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.