
Precautions
The quick answer to your questions is not much, as they are both laxitives. But there are some differences in action. Senokot-s is the brand name of a combination of senna and docusate. Senna is a medication that can help cause the intermittant contractions in the digestive tract known as perstalsis.
Is Senokot and Senna the same thing?
Senna is possibly unsafe when used for longer than 1 week or in doses above 34.4 mg sennosides twice daily. Long-term use can cause the bowels to stop functioning normally and might cause dependence on laxatives. Long-term use can also cause liver damage and other harmful effects.
Is the long term use of Senna safe?
Laxatives
- Stool softeners and laxatives. First of all, let’s sort out the difference between stool softeners and laxatives. ...
- Forms. Laxatives come in many different forms. ...
- Timing. ...
- Dosage. ...
- Side effects and interactions. ...
- Laxative misuse. ...
- Pharmacist’s advice. ...
What is the difference between Senna and docusate?
You should not use senna if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- diarrhea or loose stools;
- severe stomach pain;
- swelling or a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis;
- hemorrhoids, anal prolapse; or
- if you are dehydrated.
What is Senna used for treating?

What classification is laxatives?
Classification of Laxatives In general, laxatives can be classified into four main categories: bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives and stool softeners. Bulk laxatives relieve constipation by forming soft and bulky stool; and by promoting contraction of intestinal muscles.
What is the family of senna?
LegumesSenna / FamilyThe Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, are a large and agriculturally important family of flowering plants. It includes trees, shrubs, and perennial or annual herbaceous plants, which are easily recognized by their fruit and their compound, stipulate leaves. Wikipedia
What is the classification of Senokot?
SENOKOT-S Classification: Stimulant + stool softener.
What is senna also known as?
Senna consists of the dried leaflets or fruits of Cassia senna (C. acutifolia) known in commerce as Alexandrian senna and of Cassia angustifolia commonly known as Tinnevelly senna. The senna plants are small shrubs of Leguminosae cultivated either in Somalia, the Arabian peninsula and near the Nile river.
What is the family of senna leaves?
The type species for the genus is Senna alexandrina....Senna (plant)SennaFamily:FabaceaeSubfamily:CaesalpinioideaeTribe:CassieaeGenus:Senna Mill.15 more rows
What type of laxative is senna?
Senna is used on a short-term basis to treat constipation. It also is used to empty the bowels before surgery and certain medical procedures. Senna is in a class of medications called stimulant laxatives. It works by increasing activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.
Is senna a osmotic laxative?
Osmotic laxatives are routinely used for idiopathic constipation. Senna is a stimulant laxative that produces contractions improving colonic motility without affecting the stool consistency.
Is Senokot a osmotic laxative?
Colon stimulants such as senna (Senokot) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax) activate colonic movement and increase fluid and electrolyte secretion in the GI tract. Osmotic laxatives promote water retention in the colon lumen.
Is Senokot a Sennoside?
This product is used to treat constipation. It contains 2 medications: sennosides and docusate.
Is senna a chemical?
Senna derivatives are a type of stimulant laxative and are of the anthraquinone type....Senna glycoside.Clinical dataChemical and physical dataFormulaC42H38O20Molar mass862.746 g·mol−1(what is this?) (verify)18 more rows
Which type of glycoside is senna?
Senna, a quick-acting, reliable stimulating laxative generally, is taken as a tea. Its mechanism of action is primarily via anthracoids (sennoside A and B), or anthraquinone glycosides.
Is senna a herb?
Senna is an herb in the legume family that's often used as a laxative. Additionally, it's sometimes added to weight loss supplements.
Is senna a herb?
Senna is an herb in the legume family that's often used as a laxative. Additionally, it's sometimes added to weight loss supplements.
Are Cassia and senna the same?
Turns out that the difference between the two genera is important. The genus Cassia consists of about 30 tropical tree species, while Senna is the genus name of about 300 plant species, of which one is an invasive threat in Florida.
Can you be allergic to senna?
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.
What is senna derived?
Senna is an herb that comes from several different flowering species of the Cassia plants. The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the senna plant have been used in tea as a laxative or stimulant for centuries. The leaves of the Senna plant are also used in some teas to help relieve constipation or promote weight loss.
What is the purpose of senna?
Expand Section. Senna is used on a short-term basis to treat constipation. It also is used to empty the bowels before surgery and certain medical procedures. Senna is in a class of medications called stimulant laxatives. It works by increasing activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.
What are the side effects of Senna?
Senna may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: 1 brown discoloration of urine 2 faintness 3 stomach discomfort 4 nausea 5 stomach cramps
How long before taking Perdiem can I take Senna?
take certain senna products (Ex-Lax ®, Perdiem Overnight Relief) at least 2 or more hours before or after taking other medications by mouth; some senna products may affect how other medications work. tell your doctor if you have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in bowel movements lasting more than 2 weeks.
How long can you take Senna without a doctor?
Do not take senna for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor. Follow the directions on your package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take senna exactly as directed.
What to do before taking Senna?
Before taking senna, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to senna, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in these senna products. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, ...
How often can you take Senna?
Expand Section. Senna comes as a liquid, powder, granules, chewable pieces, and tablets to take by mouth. It is may be taken once or twice daily. Senna normally causes a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours, so it may be taken at bedtime to produce a bowel movement the next day. Do not take senna for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor.
Can you take Senna over a long period of time?
talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking senna if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take senna products over a long period of time because they are not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
What family is Senna?
Tharpia Britton & Rose. Vogelocassia Britton. Xerocassia Britton & Rose. Senna, the sennas, is a large genus of flowering plants in the legume family ( Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae, tribe Cassieae ). This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species in temperate regions.
How many species of Senna are there?
The number of species is estimated to be from about 260 to 350. The type species for the genus is Senna alexandrina. About 50 species of Senna are known in cultivation.
What is the Egyptian senna?
Historically, Egyptian senna ( S. alexandrina) was used as a laxative in the form of senna pods, or as herbal tea made from the leaves. Senna is considered to be a bowel stimulant on the myenteric plexus of the colon to induce peristaltic contractions and decrease water absorption from inside the colon, effects that would provide relief from constipation.
Where are Sennas native?
This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species in temperate regions. The number of species is estimated to be from about 260 to 350.
Who separated Senna from Cassia?
Philip Miller segregated Senna from Cassia in 1754 in the fourth edition of The Gardeners Dictionary. Until 1982, many authors, following Linnaeus, did not recognize Senna and Chamaecrista, but included them in a broadly circumscribed Cassia sensu lato.
Is Cassia a monophyletic group?
In 1982, the group was named Cassiinae and classified as a subtribe of the tribe Cassieae. The tribe Cassieae contains 21 genera and is now known to be polyphyletic, but the classification is still accepted because a revision of Fabaceae has yet to be published.
Introduction
Stimulant laxative; hydroxymethylanthraquinone derivative occurring naturally in plants as glycosides.
Cautions for Senna
Acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms of appendicitis or undiagnosed abdominal pain.
Interactions for Senna
By increasing intestinal motility, can potentially decrease transit time of concomitantly administered oral drugs and thereby decrease their absorption.
Actions
Stimulant laxative; primary active cathartic principles are the stereoisomeric glucosides, sennosides A and B.
Advice to Patients
Importance of informing clinicians before use if abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting is present or if there has been a sudden change in bowel habits that persists over a period of 2 weeks.
Preparations
Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.
What is Senna used for?
Senna is an FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) laxative. A prescription is not required to purchase senna. It is used to treat constipation and also to clear the bowel before diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy. Senna is also used for irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ), ...
What is the difference between Senna and Lanoxin?
Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with SENNA. Senna is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin). Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with SENNA.
How many doses of Senna for constipation?
For constipation following pregnancy, 28 mg in 2 divided doses has been used. For bowel preparation: Doses of senna containing 75 mg or sennos ides taken the day before colonoscopy , or 120-150 mg taken once or twice the day before colonoscopy, have been used. CHILDREN. BY MOUTH:
Is Senna as effective as psyllium?
Taking senna appears to be as effective as lactulose, psyllium, and docusate for relieving constipation in people taking opioids or loperamide. Possibly Effective for. Bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Taking senna by mouth is as effective as castor oil and bisocodyl for bowel preparation.
Does Senna lower potassium levels?
Senna is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking senna along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.
Is Senna Plus better than Lactulose?
In elderly people, senna plus psyllium is more effective than lactulose for treating ongoing constipation. Senna plus docusate sodium is effective for treating constipation in the elderly and in people who have undergone anorectal surgery.
Can you use Senna for Crohn's disease?
Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions: Senna should not be used by people with abdominal pain (either diagnosed or undiagnosed), intestinal blockage, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, stomach inflammation, anal prolapse, or hemorrhoids.
What are the side effects of senna?
Nausea. Kidney inflammation. Yellow-brown urine discoloration. Serious side effects of senna include: Changes in blood electrolytes that can cause heart function disorders, muscle weakness, liver damage, and other harmful effects (long-term use) This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects may occur.
Does Senna have any interactions?
Mild Interactions of senna include: None. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Can you use Senna while pregnant?
Pregnancy and Lactation. Use senna with caution during pregnancy if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done. Senna is not excreted in milk; it is compatible with breastfeeding.
Can you take Senokot with Exlax?
Do not take Senokot, ExLax Regular Strength, Lax Pills, Little Tummys Stimulant Laxative Drops, Senexon, SennaGen, Senna Smooth, ExLax Maximum Strength, or SenokotXTRA if you are allergic to senna or any ingredients contained in this drug. Keep out of reach of children.
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Pharmacology
The anthraquinone group of stimulant laxatives includes the plant-derived agents such as senna. Stimulant laxatives typically induce defecation by stimulating peristaltic activity on the intestine by direct action on intestinal mucosa or nerve plexus, therefore increasing motility.
Use: Labeled Indications
Constipation: Relieves occasional constipation (irregularity); generally causes bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours
Use: Off Label
Data from one uncontrolled study evaluating the use of senna as an adjunct to reduce the amount of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution necessary suggests that the use of senna as an adjunct in this setting may be beneficial Iida 1992.
Dosage and Administration
Note: Several types of senna products are available on the market and multiple formulations exist that are not equivalent; products composed of sennosides are considered OTC medications; senna pod concentrate and senna leaf extract are considered dietary supplements and are not interchangeable on a mL-to-mL (or mg-to-mg) basis with other senna products that contain sennosides; close attention must be paid to the product description and concentration when ordering or administering..
Drug Interactions
Dichlorphenamide: Laxatives may enhance the hypokalemic effect of Dichlorphenamide. Monitor therapy
Adverse Reactions
Frequency not defined: Gastrointestinal: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
What are the active constituents of Senna pods?
Two naphthalene glycosides isolated from senna leaves and pods are 6-hydroxymusicin glucoside and tinnevellin glucoside.
When was Senna first isolated?
The active principle of Senna was first isolated and characterized by Stoll in 1941. The first two glycosides were identified and attributed to the anthraquinone family.
What is the name of the dried leaflets of Cassia Senna?
Senna consists of the dried leaflets or fruits of Cassia senna (C. acutifolia) known in commerce as Alexandrian senna and of Cassia angustifolia commonly known as Tinnevelly senna.
Where is Tinnevelly Senna from?
Tinnevelly senna is obtained from cultivated plants mainly in South India and Pakistan. Owing to the careful way in which the plant is harvested, the leaflets of the drug are usually little broken. Damaged leaves and lower quality products are often used for making galenicals.
What is sennosides A&B-oral tablet, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Senna is a natural medicine derived from the senna plant. Senna contains sennosides which acts as a stimulant laxative. It works by irritating and stimulating intestinal cells, producing contractions in intestines, water influx to the intestines and bowel movement.
What is the dosage for sennosides A&B-oral tablet?
Adults and children 12 years of age and over: The recommended starting dose is to use two 8.6 mg tablets by mouth once a day; maximum daily dose is 100 mg.
Which drugs or supplements interact with sennosides A&B-oral tablet?
Sennosides should be cautiously in patients taking digoxin ( Lanoxin ). Sennosides can lower potassium levels, causing digoxin toxicity.
Is sennosides A&B-oral tablet safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There are no adequate studies done on sennosides to determine safe and effective use in pregnant women.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What are the side effects of Senna Docusate?
Side effects of senna/docusate include: Abdominal cramping. Diarrhea. Nausea /vomiting. Yellow-brown urine discoloration. This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.
Can you take Senna while pregnant?
No information is available regarding use of sen na/docusate during pregnancy. It is unknown if senna/docusate is excreted in breast milk. Senna/docusate is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should seek advice of a health professional before using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Does Senna have any interactions with other drugs?
Senna/docusate has no listed severe interactions with other drugs. Serious interactions of senna/docusate include: Moderate interactions of senna/docusate include: Mild interactions of senna/docusate include: This document does not contain all possible interactions.

Overview
Sennosides are used to treat constipation. They may also be used to clean out the intestines before a bowel examination/surgery.
May Treat: Constipation
Drug Class: Laxative - Stimulant
Availability: Prescription sometimes needed
Lactation: Does not adversely affect lactation
Systematics
Description
Etymology
Species
Ecology
Chamaecrista, Cassia, and Senna form a monophyletic group which some authors have called Cassia sensu lato. In 1982, the group was named Cassiinae and classified as a subtribe of the tribe Cassieae. The tribe Cassieae contains 21 genera and is now known to be polyphyletic, but the classification is still accepted because a revision of Fabaceae has yet to be published.
The genus Senna has had a complex taxonomic history. What is now known as Senna was inclu…
Uses
Senna includes herbs, shrubs, and trees. The leaves are pinnate with opposite paired leaflets. The inflorescences are racemes at the ends of branches or emerging from the leaf axils. The flower has five sepals and five usually yellow petals. There are ten straight stamens. The stamens may be different sizes, and some are staminodes. The fruit is a legume pod containing several seeds.
Fossil record
The genus name derives from the Arabic sanā, describing plants whose leaves and pods have cathartic and laxative properties.
Introduction
As of December 2019 , Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:
• Senna acanthoclada (Griseb.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
• Senna acclinis (F.Muell.) Randell
Uses For Senna
The caterpillars of many species feed on Senna plants. The black witch (Ascalapha odorata), two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator), common emigrant (Catopsilia pomona), and mottled emigrant (C. pyranthe) have all been recorded on candle bush (S. alata), for example.
Some species have extrafloral nectaries on the leaves or flower stalks that are visited by ants.
Senna species are pollinated by a variety of bees, especially large female bees in genera such as X…
Senna Dosage and Administration
Some Senna species are used as ornamental plants in landscaping. The species is adapted to many climate types.
Cassia gum, an extract of the seeds of Chinese senna (S. obtusifolia), is used as a thickening agent. The leaves and flowers of Siamese cassia (S. siamea) are used in some Southeast Asian cuisines, such as Thai, Shan/Burmese and Lao cuisines. They are known as khi-lek in Thai, and ar…
Cautions For Senna
A fossil seed pod of Senna sp. from the middle Eocene epoch has been described from the Rancho clay pit in Henry County, Tennessee (United States).
Interactions For Senna
Actions
- Constipation
Used to relieve occasional constipation. Mildest of the stimulant laxatives; less pronounced laxative effect than bisacodyl or the violent purgation produced by castor oil. Use of stimulant laxatives for simple constipation is seldom necessary or desirable. If a stimulant laxative is used… - Colonic Evacuation
Used orally to empty the bowel prior to surgery or radiologic, proctoscopic, or endoscopic (e.g., sigmoidoscopic, proctoscopic) procedures. Usually supplemented with administration of rectal evacuants (e.g., saline, stimulant, or soapsuds enemas) immediately before radiologic procedur…
Advice to Patients
- Dosage
Available as sennosides, standardized senna concentrate, and standardized senna fruit extract; dosage expressed in terms of sennosides. Administer as infrequently as possible at the lowest effective dosage level. Do not use for >1 week unless directed by prescriber. Senna fluidextract: … - Special Populations
No special population dosage recommendations at this time.
Preparations
- Contraindications
1. Acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms of appendicitis or undiagnosed abdominal pain. 2. Intestinal obstruction. - Common Adverse Effects
Abdominal discomfort, nausea, mild cramps, griping, faintness.