Senna glycoside, also known as sennoside or senna, is a medication used to treat constipation and empty the large intestine before surgery.[ It typically begins working in around 30 minutes when given by rectum and within twelve hours when given orally.][ It is a weaker laxative than bisacodyl and castor oil.][
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Common side effects of senna glycoside include abdominal cramps.[ It is not recommended for long-term use, as it may result in poor bowel function or electrolyte problems.][ While no harm has been found to result from use while breastfeeding, such use is not typically recommended.][ It is not typically recommended in children.][ Senna may change urine to a somewhat reddish color.][ Senna derivatives are a type of stimulant laxative and are of the anthraquinone type.][ While its mechanism of action is not entirely clear, senna is thought to act by increasing fluid secretion within and contraction of the large intestine.][
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Sennosides come from the group of plants Senna.[
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Medical uses
Senna is used for episodic and chronic constipation though there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use for these purposes.[Drugs.com ]
Administration
Oral senna products typically produce a bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours. Rectal suppositories can act within minutes or take up to two hours.
Contraindications
According to Commission E, senna is contraindicated in cases of intestinal obstruction, acute intestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn's disease), ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, and abdominal pain of unknown origin.
Senna is considered contraindicated in people with a documented allergy to anthraquinones. Such allergies are rare and typically limited to dermatological reactions of redness and itching.
Adverse effects
Adverse effects are typically limited to gastrointestinal reactions and include abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Regular use of senna products can lead to a characteristic brown pigmentation of the internal colonic wall seen on colonoscopy. This abnormal pigmentation is known as melanosis coli.
Interactions
Senna glycosides can increase digoxin toxicity in patients taking digoxin by hypokalemia, thereby enhancing the effects of digoxin.
Mechanism of action
The breakdown products of senna act directly as irritants on the colonic wall to induce fluid secretion and colonic motility.
Pharmacology
They are derivatives and dimeric .
Society and culture
Formulations
Senna is an over-the-counter drug available in multiple formulations, including oral formations (liquid, tablet, granular) and rectal suppositories. Senna products are manufactured by multiple generic drug makers and sold under various brand names.
Brand names
Ex-Lax, Geri-kot, Perdiem Overnight Relief, Senexon, Pursennid, Senna Smooth, Senna-Gen, Senna-GRX, Senna-Lax, Senna-Tabs, Senna-Time, SennaCon, Senno, Senokot.[Lexicomp Online, Lexi Drugs Online, Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; 17 April 2014.]
