Senna glycoside, also known as sennosideorsenna, is a medication used to treat constipation and empty the large intestine before surgery.[1][5] The medication is taken by mouth or via the rectum.[1][6] It typically begins working in around 30 minutes when given by rectum and within twelve hours when given by mouth.[3] It is a weaker laxative than bisacodyl and castor oil.[1]
Common side effects of senna glycoside include abdominal cramps.[3] It is not recommended for long-term use, as it may result in poor bowel function or electrolyte problems.[1] While no harm has been found to result from use while breastfeeding, such use is not typically recommended.[1] It is not typically recommended in children.[1] Senna may change urine to a somewhat reddish color.[1] Senna derivatives are a type of stimulant laxative and are of the anthraquinone type.[1] 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.[1]
Sennosides come from the group of plants Senna.[3] In plant form, it has been used at least since the 700s AD.[7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] It is available as a generic medication.[1][6] In 2021, it was the 270th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.[9][10] In 2021, the combination with docusate was the 275th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 800,000 prescriptions.[9][11] It is sold under a number of brand names including Ex-Lax and Senokot.[1]
Senna is used for episodic and chronic constipation though there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use for these purposes.[5] It may also be used to aid in the evacuation of the bowel prior to surgery or invasive rectal or colonic examinations.[12][13]
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.[12]
Adverse effects are typically limited to gastrointestinal reactions and include abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.[12]
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.[14]
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.[13]
^ abcdefghijklAmerican Society of Health-System Pharmacists (1 January 2008). "Senna". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
^World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
^ abMcQuaid KR (2012). "Chapter 62. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases.". In Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ (eds.). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
^Sharkey KA, Wallace JL (2011). "Chapter 46. Treatment of Disorders of Bowel Motility and Water Flux; Anti-Emetics; Agents Used in Biliary and Pancreatic Disease.". In Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC (eds.). Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
^Franz G (October 1993). "The senna drug and its chemistry". Pharmacology. 47 (Suppl. 1): 2–6. doi:10.1159/000139654. PMID8234429.
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