Why does senna work as a laxative

To make sure that this is the right treatment for you, before you start taking senna it is important that you speak with your doctor or a pharmacist if:. Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones which can occur with senna.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to senna, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines. Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital.

Take the container with you, even if it is empty. If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy who will dispose of them for you. Dated February Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Side effects of senna may include abdominal cramps and pain from muscle contractions, dark or discolored urine, electrolyte imbalance, nausea, rash, and swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. Prolonged use of senna may lead to dark pigmentation in the colon, called melanosis coli.

In large doses and prolonged use, senna has been linked to liver toxicity. In children who are not toilet trained, senna use is linked to diaper rash with blisters that may be severe. Healthcare providers recommend changing your child's diaper immediately after stooling while taking senna and cleaning the diaper area thoroughly.

If your child develops a diaper rash with blisters or cracked skin, call your pediatrician. Senna should not be used for more than seven consecutive days unless under a healthcare provider's supervision. Discontinue use and call your healthcare provider if you experience bloody diarrhea or prolonged abdominal pain after senna use. Senna or other anthraquinone-containing herbs should not be used by people with abdominal pain, diarrhea, diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease , severe hemorrhoids , blood vessel disease, congestive heart failure , heart disease, severe anemia, abdominal hernia, gastrointestinal cancer, recent colon surgery, liver disease, or kidney disease.

The AHPA also recommends that you consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing. Senna may interact with drugs called calcium channel blockers and the drug Indocin indomethacin. Senna used for medicinal purposes is derived from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant. Senna products made from the fruit are gentler than preparations made from the leaf. Senna comes in tablets and liquid formulations, and is also available as a tea. Dosing varies based on patient age and why senna is being used.

Talk to your healthcare provider to find the right dose for you and do not exceed it. Here are some general guidelines:. Is senna safe to take every day? While the herb is generally regarded as safe and may be prescribed for everyday use, long-term use may pose concerns. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations. Will senna give me a stomach ache? Senna works to treat constipation by irritating the lining of the intestines, which stimulates the digestive tract to move stool through it.

As such, some people report abdominal cramps after taking senna, which resolves once a bowel movement is complete. Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Updated April 18, Are Senna based laxatives safe when used as long term treatment for constipation in children? J Pediatr Surg. What special dietary instructions should I follow?

What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products Other names. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow?

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. Be sure to mention: mineral oil laxatives. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. If you become pregnant while taking senna, call your doctor.

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. Senna may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: brown discoloration of urine faintness stomach discomfort nausea stomach cramps Some side effects can be serious. If you experience this symptom, stop taking senna and call your doctor immediately: rectal bleeding Senna may cause other side effects.

What other information should I know? Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about senna. Brand names.