Dr. Caldwell Senna Laxative (Oral)

Senna is used to help relieve occasional constipation in adults and children. This medicine is a laxative. It usually causes a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours.

This medicine is available without a prescription from your doctor.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will let your doctor see if the medicine is working properly and decide if you or your child should keep using it.

Tell your doctor if you or your child have already used a laxative for more than 1 week.

Call your doctor right away if you or your child have rectal bleeding, no bowel movement within 30 minutes of using an enema, or have symptoms of dehydration (for example, confusion, decreased urination, feeling thirsty, vomiting). These may be symptoms of a serious condition.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks of taking it against the benefits it may provide. The following points should be considered for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of senna in children. However, the safety and effectiveness of senna chewable tablets have not been established in children younger than 6 years, or for senna oral liquid and tablets in children younger than 2 years.

Geriatric

There is no information available about how age affects the effects of senna in older adults.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to infants when used by breastfeeding mothers.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be taken together even if there is a possibility of an interaction. In those cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions are significant but may not be a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Licorice
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Polyethylene Glycol 3350

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken at the same time as food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect how you can use this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any additional medical issues, especially:

• Stomach or bowel problems (including abdominal or stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks)—Use with caution. This may worsen these conditions.

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

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

Incidence not known

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

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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:

• Liquid
• Syrup
• Tablet
• Capsule, Liquid Filled
• Tablet, Chewable

Therapeutic Class: Laxative, Stimulant

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

Take this medicine preferably at bedtime, or as directed by your doctor.

Shake the oral liquid before use. Measure the dose correctly using the marked measuring spoon that comes with the package. Rinse the dosing spoon with water after each use.

If you are taking other medicines, take senna 2 or more hours after these medicines.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For relief of constipation: For oral dosage form (chewable tablets): Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 tablets one or two times a day. Children 6 to 11 years of age—1 tablet one or two times a day. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by a doctor. For oral dosage form (oral liquid): Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3 teaspoonfuls two times a day. Children 6 to 11 years of age—At first, 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoonfuls once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1 1/2 teaspoonfuls two times a day. Children 2 to 6 years of age—At first, 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoonfuls once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3/4 teaspoonfuls once a day. Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For oral dosage form (oral powder): Adults and children 12 years of age and older—1/2 to 1 teaspoonful once or two times a day. Children 6 to 11 years of age—1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful once or two times a day. Children younger than 6 years of age—1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful once or two times a day. For oral dosage form (tablets): Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 2 tablets once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 4 tablets two times a day. Children 6 to 11 years of age—At first, 1 tablet once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 2 tablets two times a day. Children 2 to 5 years of age—At first, 1/2 tablet once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1 tablet two times a day. Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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