Senokot

The usual adult dose of senna is 10 mL to 15 mL of syrup or 2 to 4 tablets, 1 or 2 times a day. The maximum dose is 15 mL or 4 tablets twice a day.

If you are pregnant, your doctor may recommend Senokot (Sennosides-a-b), however the recommended dose is lower during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the recommended dose is 5 mL to 10 mL of the syrup or 1 to 2 tablets taken 1 or 2 times a day. The maximum dose is 10 mL or 2 tablets twice a day.

Children's doses are generally smaller than those taken by adults. For children from 6 to 12 years old, the recommended dose is 5 mL to 10 mL of syrup or 1 to 2 tablets taken 1 or 2 times a day. The maximum dose is 10 mL or 2 tablets twice a day.

For children under 6 years old, check with a health care professional before using Senokot (Sennosides-a-b).

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) should be taken at bedtime, with a stool being produced sometime after waking. If there is no bowel movement after using senna, or there is rectal bleeding, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

If you are taking Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause stomach ache and cramps; it may cause diarrhea; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may give stool a yellowish colour; it may turn your urine pink-brown. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Syrup

Each mL of syrup contains standardized sennosides 1.7 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: chocolate flavour, citric acid monohydrate, peppermint flavor, sodium citrate dihydrate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium methylparaben, sodium propylparaben, sorbitol (3g/100 mL, equivalent to 7.8 kcal), sucralose (110 mg/100 mL), water, and xanthan gum.

Tablet

Each round, brown tablet contains standardized sennosides 8.6 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

Do not use Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) if you:

• are allergic to senna or any ingredients of Senokot (Sennosides-a-b)
• have Appendicitis
• have blockage in the digestive tract
• have Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or inflammatory colon disease
• have severe dehydration
• have undiagnosed abdominal pain, Fever, nausea, or vomiting
• have weakened muscle activity of the digestive system
• have undiagnosed rectal bleeding

There may be an interaction between senna and any of the following:

• PEG laxatives

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Senokot (Sennosides-a-b). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Senokot (Sennosides-a-b).

Fluid and electrolyte balance: If senna is taken for too long a period of time, it may cause diarrhea and affect the levels of fluid and electrolytes in the blood. If you experience symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance such as thirst, muscle pains, or cramps; Dry Mouth; numb hands, feet, or lips; or racing heartbeat, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Inform your doctor of any medications for heart or blood pressure that you may be taking, as these also increase the risk of fluid and electrolyte changes.

General: If you experience a sudden change in your bowel movements that lasts for 2 weeks or more, do not take Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) without first talking to your doctor. If you take senna and it does not seem to help with your constipation or if rectal bleeding occurs, stop using this medication and contact your doctor.

Other medications: Although senna does not directly affect the actions of other medications, taking it too close to other medications may change how much of the other medication is absorbed by the body. Avoid taking senna within 2 hours of any other medications.

Overuse of medication: As with any stimulant laxative, ongoing use of senna may cause the bowel to become dependent on the medication to produce stools. Unless your doctor has recommended a specific schedule, do not take senna for more than 1 week.

Pregnancy: Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) is considered safe to use during pregnancy, however is should only be used when recommended by a doctor. Lower than usual adult doses should be used.

Breast-feeding: Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) is considered safe to use while breast-feeding, however it should only be used when recommended by a doctor.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 2 years of age. Consult a health care professional before giving Senokot (Sennosides-a-b) to children between the ages of 2 and 5 years.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, it is used only as needed. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. To ensure exact dosage, measure each dose with an accurate measuring device. This medication may be taken with or without food. It is recommended to drink plenty of water while using this medication.