Senokot

Generic Name: Sennosides A and B
Product Name: Senokot

Indication of Senokot

May help in the treatment of constipation of all types:

• Simple (self-induced or environmental).
• Constipation of old age.
• Constipation of pregnancy.
• Constipation due to slow passage through the colon (of unknown origin).
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Constipation secondary to other causes.

Senokot may also help in the prevention of constipation and straining in the post-operative setting and the conservative treatment of haemorrhoids. It may help to control the defecation reflex in incontinent patients.

Your doctor will be able to advise if this product is suitable for you. Consult your doctor before taking any medication or supplement.

Action of Senokot

Sennosides are laxatives that work by stimulating the normal muscle contractions of the colon. This helps to coordinate the colon to be able to evacuate faeces effectively, and treat constipation. Senokot has the ability to be transported through the rest of the gastrointestinal tract to the colon unchanged, so it has no effect on the movements of the stomach and small intestine.

Dose advice of Senokot

Dose information

There is considerable individual variation, but the correct dose is that required to produce a comfortable, soft, formed motion. New users should start on the lowest dose and gradually increase until this motion has been achieved. Medical advice should be sought if this does not occur after three days of gradually increasing the dose.

Tablets should be swallowed whole with water. Granules can be taken with a drink, sprinkled on food or eaten alone.

• Adults: 2-4 tablets, or 1-2 teaspoonfuls of granules, at bedtime.
• Children over 6 years: 1-2 tablets, or half to 1 teaspoonful of granules, at bedtime.

Dosing can usually be stopped once regularity has been achieved. It is not recommended to continue use of Senokot for long periods of time.

Always read the label. If you have any queries about the correct way to use this product, please ask your doctor. Individual results may vary.

Contraindications

• Presence of undiagnosed acute or persistent abdominal symptoms such as cramps, colic, nausea and vomiting, pain or other symptoms of appendicitis.

Specific considerations

• Prolonged use: Prolonged, excessive use of Senokot may result in altered bowel habit, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, steatorrhoea, malabsorption, cathartic colon and electrolyte disturbances.
• Laxatives should NOT be used as a method of weight loss.
• Elderly: No dosage adjustment is necessary for elderly patients. It must be remembered that these patients are at increased risk of faecal incontinence whilst using stimulant laxatives.

Drug interactions

• Diagnostic tests: Sennosides may discolour the urine, interfering with diagnostic tests K-sparing diuretics.
• Laxatives can interfere with the potassium-retaining mechanism of K-sparing diuretics.
• Oral contraceptive pill: Laxatives can interfere with the absorption of the Pill, rendering it less effective.
• Antibiotics: Some antibiotics (tetracycline, neomycin) may cause bowel upset, which can be complicated by laxative use.
• Other medications: Laxatives can interfere with the absorption of many other drugs.

Pregnancy

AADEC category A. Safe to use in pregnancy.

Lactation

Safe to use during lactation.

Children

Not suitable for use in children under the age of six unless under medical supervision.

If you have any concerns, please speak with your doctor.

Schedule of Senokot

Unscheduled. Senokot is a complementary medicine or listed medicine in Australia.

Please note that the Product Information including information such as what a product should be used for, how it works, the dosage and relevant side effects is created by the company who makes the product. For registered medicines, the Product Information is carefully validated by the relevant Australian health authority, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). However, for complementary medicines the Product Information is NOT routinely checked by the TGA. Therefore it is important that you do NOT take any complementary medicine without first speaking with your doctor.