Senna is also known as Cassia, Fan Xie Ye, Alejandrina, Séné, Sennae, and Tinnevelly.

Senna is likely effective in alternative medicine as an aid in treating occasional constipation in adults and children at least 2 years old. It is sometimes used together with another laxative or stool softener such as lactulose, psyllium, docusate, or mineral oil.

Senna is possibly effective as a bowel preparation before colonoscopy.

Other uses not proven with research include weight loss, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, anal fissures (tears in the lining of the anus), or after anal or rectal surgery.

It is not certain whether senna is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Senna should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Senna is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Not all uses for senna have been approved by the FDA. Senna should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Senna is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Use senna as directed on the label, or as your healthcare provider has prescribed. Do not use this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using senna. Do not use this product for longer than 1 week without the advice of a healthcare provider.

Senna comes as a liquid, powder, granules, chewable pieces, and tablets to take by mouth. It is may be taken once or twice daily. Senna normally causes a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours, so it may be taken at bedtime to produce a bowel movement the next day. Do not take senna for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor. Follow the directions on your package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take senna exactly as directed. Frequent or continued use of senna may make you dependent on laxatives and cause your bowels to lose their normal activity. If you do not have a regular bowel movement after taking senna, do not take any more medication and talk to your doctor.

If you are taking certain senna products (Ex-Lax^® regular ormaximum strength tablets or Perdiem Overnight Relief), swallow the pills whole with a glass of water; do not split, chew, or crush them.

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use senna, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Senna should produce a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours after you take it.

Do not use different formulations (such as tablets and liquid) at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of senna.

Senna may be unsafe when taken long-term or in high doses. Using this medicine for longer than 2 weeks may cause your bowels to stop functioning normally. Long-term use may also cause a serious electrolyte imbalance. Certain electrolyte imbalances can cause muscle weakness, heart problems, liver damage, and other harmful effects.

Call your healthcare provider if your constipation does not improve after 1 week of use, or if your constipation gets worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not use senna if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• diarrhea or loose stools;

• severe stomach pain;

• swelling or a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);

• Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis;

• hemorrhoids, anal prolapse; or

• if you are dehydrated.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have ever had:

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood);

• any change in bowel habits that has lasted longer than 2 weeks;

• long-term bowel problems;

• heart disease; or

• stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Ask a doctor before using senna if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Some forms of senna are made for use by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

A regular diet and exercise program is important for regular bowel function. Eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of liquids (eight glasses) each day as recommended by your doctor.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

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

Stop using senna and call your doctor at once if you have:

• rectal bleeding;

• no bowel movement within 12 hours after using senna; or

• low potassium level - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Constipation is the most common side effect of senna. Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not take senna without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• digoxin (Lanoxin);

• a diuretic (water pill); or

• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with senna, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about senna.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Correctol 50 Plus® (containing Docusate, Sennosides)
• Ex-Lax Gentle Strength® (containing Docusate, Sennosides)
• Gentlax S® (containing Docusate, Sennosides)
• Peri-Colace® (containing Docusate, Sennosides)
• Senokot S® (containing Docusate, Sennosides)