Dr. Caldwell Senna Laxative

In the U.S.

• Correctol Herbal Tea Laxative
• Dr. Caldwell Senna Laxative
• Fletcher's Castoria
• Innerclean
• Rite Aid Senna
• Senexon
• Senokot
• Swiss Kriss
• Uni-Cenna
• X-Prep

In Canada

• Hermes No. 8
• Pharaon Tea
• Senokot Syrup

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Powder for Suspension
• Liquid
• Capsule, Liquid Filled
• Syrup
• Granule
• Flake
• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Laxative, Stimulant

Senna is used to relieve occasional constipation in adults and children. This medicine is a laxative. It generally produces bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours.

This medicine is available without your doctor's prescription.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to senna: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your healthcare provider at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea, watery diarrhea;

• weight loss;

• worsening constipation after you stop taking senna;

• enlargement of your fingers and toes;

• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious senna side effects may include:

• stomach cramps, bloating, gas, mild diarrhea;

• numbness or tingly feeling;

• joint pain; or

• discolored urine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Applies to senna: oral capsule liquid filled, oral flake, oral granule, oral liquid, oral powder for suspension, oral suspension, oral syrup, oral tablet

Along with its needed effects, senna may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking senna:

• Black, tarry stools
• blood in the stools
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain

Applies to senna: compounding powder, oral disintegrating strip, oral granule, oral liquid, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, rectal suppository

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included esophageal impaction and duodenal bezoars. These effects have been reported in patients receiving a bulk laxative product containing 82% psyllium and 18% senna (commercially available as Perdiem Overnight Relief).[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have rarely included occupational sensitization to senna.[Ref]

One case has been reported involving a factory worker who developed IgE-mediated asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis five months after exposure to senna.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have rarely included finger clubbing.[Ref]

Some side effects of senna may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.