What is senna?
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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking senna?
Do not take senna without first talking to your doctor if you have
-
an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis,
-
other intestinal problems, or
-
abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
You may not be able to take senna or you may require special
monitoring while taking senna if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Also, talk to your doctor before taking senna if you have any other medical conditions,
allergies, or if you take other medicines or herbal/health supplements. Senna may not be
recommended in some situations.
Do not
take senna without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant.
Do not
take senna without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Some forms of senna are formulated for use by children. Talk to the child's doctor
before using this product to treat a child.
How should I take senna?
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.
If you choose to take senna, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor,
pharmacist, or other health care provider.
It is usually recommended that senna be taken before bed, to produce a bowel movement 6 to
12 hours later upon awakening.
Standardized extracts, tinctures, liquids and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements
may provide a more reliable dose of the product.
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.
Do not take more of this product than is directed.
Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, liquid, and others) of senna at the same
time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations
together increases the risk of an overdose of senna.
Store senna as directed on the package. In general, senna should be protected from light and
moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of senna?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of senna. Consult your doctor,
pharmacist, or health care provider if you require further information.
Where can I get more information about senna?
Your pharmacist has information about senna written for health professionals that you may read.
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
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.
What should I avoid while taking senna?
There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking senna, unless
otherwise directed by your health care provider.
What other drugs will affect senna?
There are no reported interactions between senna and other medications. Talk to your doctor,
pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or
other herbal/health supplements.
What happens if I have an overdose of senna?
