Formulary
Senna: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Senna is a stimulant laxative.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Senna: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Senna is a stimulant laxative.
Drug action
Senna is a stimulant laxative. After metabolism of sennosides in the gut the anthrone component stimulates peristalsis thereby increasing the motility of the large intestine.
Indications and dose
**Constipation**
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Tablets): 6-17 years 7.5-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Tablets): 7.5-15 mg once daily, dose usually taken at bedtime, initial dose should be low then gradually increased, higher doses up to 30 mg once daily may be prescribed under medical supervision.
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Syrup): 4-17 years 3.75-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Syrup): 7.5-15 mg once daily, dose usually taken at bedtime, higher doses up to 30 mg once daily may be prescribed under medical supervision.
**Constipation (dose approved**
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Tablets): for use by community practitioner nurse prescribers) 6-17 years 7.5-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Tablets): 15-30 mg once daily, dose usually taken at night, initial dose should be low then gradually increased.
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Syrup): 4-17 years 3.75-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Syrup): 15-30 mg once daily, dose usually taken at bedtime.
**Constipation for senna**
- **Child 2-3 years** (By mouth using tablets): 3.75-15 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 4-5 years** (By mouth using tablets): 3.75-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 6-17 years** (By mouth using tablets): 7.5-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 1 month-3 years** (By mouth using syrup): 3.75-15 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth using syrup): 3.75-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
**Constipation (dose approved for use by community practitioner nurse prescribers) for senna**
- **Child 6-17 years** (By mouth using tablets): 7.5-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 2-3 years** (By mouth using syrup): 3.75-15 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child 4-17 years** (By mouth using syrup): 3.75-30 mg once daily, to be adjusted according to response.
Contraindications
Atony; intestinal obstruction; undiagnosed abdominal pain
Side effects
Frequency not known Albuminuria; diarrhoea; electrolyte imbalance; fluid imbalance; gastrointestinal discomfort; haematuria; pseudomelanosis coli; skin reactions; urine discolouration Side-effects, further information Prolonged or excessive use can cause hypokalaemia.
Pregnancy
Specialist sources indicate suitable for use in pregnancy. D
Breast feeding
Specialist sources indicate suitable for use in breast-feeding in infants over 1 month. D
Medicinal forms
Tablet,Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Senna in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

