Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Black Draught, Dosaflex, Dr Caldwell Laxative, Ex-Lax Chocolated, Ex-Lax Gentle Nature, Ex-Lax Maximum Relief Formula, Ex-Lax Regular Strength Pills, Fletchers Castoria, Gentlax, Innerclean, Sennalax, Senokot, Senokot Child, Senokot Extra, Senolax, X Prep

Generic Name: senna (Pronunciation: SEH nah)

• What is senna (Black Draught, Dosaflex, Dr Caldwell Laxative, Ex-Lax Chocolated, Ex-Lax Gentle Nature, Ex-Lax Maximum Relief Formula, Ex-Lax Regular Strength Pills, Fletchers Castoria, Gentlax, Innerclean, Sennalax, Senokot, Senokot Child, Senokot Extra, Senolax, X Prep)?
• What are the possible side effects of senna?
• What is the most important information I should know about senna?
• Who should not take senna?
• How should I take senna?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking senna?
• What other drugs will affect senna?
• Where can I get more information?

What is senna (Black Draught, Dosaflex, Dr Caldwell Laxative, Ex-Lax Chocolated, Ex-Lax Gentle Nature, Ex-Lax Maximum Relief Formula, Ex-Lax Regular Strength Pills, Fletchers Castoria, Gentlax, Innerclean, Sennalax, Senokot, Senokot Child, Senokot Extra, Senolax, X Prep)?

The use of senna in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Senna is also known as Cassia senna, tinnevelly senna, India senna, Alexandrian senna, and Khartoum senna.

Senna has been used in the treatment of constipation.

Senna has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of senna may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Senna may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.

What are the possible side effects of senna?

Although uncommon, allergic reactions to senna have been reported. Stop taking senna and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

Prolonged use of senna has been reported to cause:

• chronic diarrhea causing excessive electrolyte and nutrient loss,
• worsened constipation after senna withdrawal (laxative dependency),
• enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes, and
• pigmentation of the colon.

Notify your doctor if the constipation does not improve after one week of treatment with senna.

Other less serious side effects have also been infrequently reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience

• abdominal cramping,
• diarrhea, or
• discoloration of the urine.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about senna?

Do not use senna for longer than 1 week without consulting your doctor or other health care provider. Prolonged use of senna can be dangerous.

Senna has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of senna may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.