Senna

What is Senna

Senna is an anthraquinone laxative similar to cascara. It is a plant derivative. Senna is used for relief of constipation in adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older.

Senna is also used off-label, under a prescriber’s direction only, for occasional relief of constipation in infants and children younger than 2 years of age.

Senna is useful for constipation due to opiate analgesics; in adults, the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) recommends the daily use of an osmotic laxative in combination with a stimulant laxative at least 2 to 3 times per week as first-line therapy in patients with opioid-induced constipation (OIC).

Indications & Dosage

• constipation

Side Effects

• abdominal pain
• anaphylactoid reactions
• diarrhea
• fecal urgency
• flatulence
• hypokalemia
• melanosis coli
• nausea
• rash
• urine discoloration
• vomiting
• wheezing

Monitoring Parameters

• laboratory monitoring not necessary

Contraindications

• abdominal pain
• breast-feeding
• diarrhea
• geriatric
• GI bleeding
• GI disease
• GI obstruction
• inflammatory bowel disease
• neonates
• pregnancy
• sodium restriction
• vomiting

• Atropine; Difenoxin
• Atropine; Diphenoxylate
• Bumetanide
• Dichlorphenamide
• Droperidol
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Furosemide
• Lactulose
• Loop diuretics
• Polyethylene Glycol
• Polyethylene Glycol; Electrolytes
• Polyethylene Glycol; Electrolytes; Ascorbic Acid
• Polyethylene Glycol; Electrolytes; Bisacodyl
• Torsemide