Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Ex-Lax, Senokot, others [1] |
AHFS/ Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a601112 |
License data | |
Pregnancy category |
|
Routes of administration | By mouth, rectal |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
|
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Onset of action | Minutes (by rectum), 6 to 12 hours (by mouth) [3] |
Identifiers | |
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider | |
KEGG | |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C42H38O20 [4] |
Molar mass | 862.746 g·mol−1 |
(what is this?) (verify) |
Senna glycoside, also known as sennoside or senna, is a medication used to treat constipation and empty the large intestine before surgery. [1] [5] The medication is taken by mouth or via the rectum. [1] [6] It typically begins working in around 30 minutes when given by rectum and within twelve hours when given by mouth. [3] It is a weaker laxative than bisacodyl and castor oil. [1]
Common side effects of senna glycoside include abdominal cramps. [3] It is not recommended for long-term use, as it may result in poor bowel function or electrolyte problems. [1] While no harm has been found to result from use while breastfeeding, such use is not typically recommended. [1] It is not typically recommended in children. [1] Senna may change urine to a somewhat reddish color. [1] Senna derivatives are a type of stimulant laxative and are of the anthraquinone type. [1] While its mechanism of action is not entirely clear, senna is thought to act by increasing fluid secretion within and contraction of the large intestine. [1]
Sennosides come from the group of plants Senna. [3] In plant form, it has been used at least since the 700s AD. [7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. [8] It is available as a generic medication. [1] [6] In 2021, it was the 270th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions. [9] [10] In 2021, the combination with docusate was the 275th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 800,000 prescriptions. [9] [11] It is sold under a number of brand names including Ex-Lax and Senokot. [1]
Senna is used for episodic and chronic constipation though there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use for these purposes. [5] It may also be used to aid in the evacuation of the bowel prior to surgery or invasive rectal or colonic examinations. [12] [13]
Oral senna products typically produce a bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours. Rectal suppositories can act within minutes or take up to two hours. [14]
According to Commission E, senna is contraindicated in cases of intestinal obstruction, acute intestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn's disease), ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, and abdominal pain of unknown origin. [12]
Senna is considered contraindicated in people with a documented allergy to anthraquinones. Such allergies are rare and typically limited to dermatological reactions of redness and itching. [12]
Adverse effects are typically limited to gastrointestinal reactions and include abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. [12]
Regular use of senna products can lead to a characteristic brown pigmentation of the internal colonic wall seen on colonoscopy. This abnormal pigmentation is known as melanosis coli. [14]
Senna glycosides can increase digoxin toxicity in patients taking digoxin by reducing serum potassium levels, thereby enhancing the effects of digoxin. [15]
The breakdown products of senna act directly as irritants on the colonic wall to induce fluid secretion and colonic motility. [16]
They are anthraquinones derivatives and dimeric glycosides. [17]
Senna is an over-the-counter drug available in multiple formulations, including oral formations (liquid, tablet, granular) and rectal suppositories. Senna products are manufactured by multiple generic drug makers and sold under various brand names. [13]
Ex-Lax, Geri-kot, Perdiem Overnight Relief, Senexon, Pursennid, Senna Smooth, Senna-Gen, Senna-GRX, Senna-Lax, Senna-Tabs, Senna-Time, SennaCon, Senno, Senokot. [12]
Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Ex-Lax, Senokot, others [1] |
AHFS/ Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a601112 |
License data | |
Pregnancy category |
|
Routes of administration | By mouth, rectal |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
|
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Onset of action | Minutes (by rectum), 6 to 12 hours (by mouth) [3] |
Identifiers | |
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider | |
KEGG | |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C42H38O20 [4] |
Molar mass | 862.746 g·mol−1 |
(what is this?) (verify) |
Senna glycoside, also known as sennoside or senna, is a medication used to treat constipation and empty the large intestine before surgery. [1] [5] The medication is taken by mouth or via the rectum. [1] [6] It typically begins working in around 30 minutes when given by rectum and within twelve hours when given by mouth. [3] It is a weaker laxative than bisacodyl and castor oil. [1]
Common side effects of senna glycoside include abdominal cramps. [3] It is not recommended for long-term use, as it may result in poor bowel function or electrolyte problems. [1] While no harm has been found to result from use while breastfeeding, such use is not typically recommended. [1] It is not typically recommended in children. [1] Senna may change urine to a somewhat reddish color. [1] Senna derivatives are a type of stimulant laxative and are of the anthraquinone type. [1] While its mechanism of action is not entirely clear, senna is thought to act by increasing fluid secretion within and contraction of the large intestine. [1]
Sennosides come from the group of plants Senna. [3] In plant form, it has been used at least since the 700s AD. [7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. [8] It is available as a generic medication. [1] [6] In 2021, it was the 270th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions. [9] [10] In 2021, the combination with docusate was the 275th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 800,000 prescriptions. [9] [11] It is sold under a number of brand names including Ex-Lax and Senokot. [1]
Senna is used for episodic and chronic constipation though there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use for these purposes. [5] It may also be used to aid in the evacuation of the bowel prior to surgery or invasive rectal or colonic examinations. [12] [13]
Oral senna products typically produce a bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours. Rectal suppositories can act within minutes or take up to two hours. [14]
According to Commission E, senna is contraindicated in cases of intestinal obstruction, acute intestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn's disease), ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, and abdominal pain of unknown origin. [12]
Senna is considered contraindicated in people with a documented allergy to anthraquinones. Such allergies are rare and typically limited to dermatological reactions of redness and itching. [12]
Adverse effects are typically limited to gastrointestinal reactions and include abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. [12]
Regular use of senna products can lead to a characteristic brown pigmentation of the internal colonic wall seen on colonoscopy. This abnormal pigmentation is known as melanosis coli. [14]
Senna glycosides can increase digoxin toxicity in patients taking digoxin by reducing serum potassium levels, thereby enhancing the effects of digoxin. [15]
The breakdown products of senna act directly as irritants on the colonic wall to induce fluid secretion and colonic motility. [16]
They are anthraquinones derivatives and dimeric glycosides. [17]
Senna is an over-the-counter drug available in multiple formulations, including oral formations (liquid, tablet, granular) and rectal suppositories. Senna products are manufactured by multiple generic drug makers and sold under various brand names. [13]
Ex-Lax, Geri-kot, Perdiem Overnight Relief, Senexon, Pursennid, Senna Smooth, Senna-Gen, Senna-GRX, Senna-Lax, Senna-Tabs, Senna-Time, SennaCon, Senno, Senokot. [12]