Rite Aid Senna (Oral)

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

This medicine is available without a doctor's prescription.

It is very important for your doctor to check your progress during regular visits. This will help your doctor see if the medicine is working well and to decide if you or your child should keep using it.

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

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

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking the medicine compared to the benefits it will provide. Here are some important points to consider for this medicine:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Research has 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 old, and senna oral liquid and tablets have not been established in children younger than 2 years old.

Geriatric

There is no information available on how age affects the effects of senna in older patients.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or other precautions may be necessary. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions have been highlighted for their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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

• Licorice
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Polyethylene Glycol 3350

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with specific medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of 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 other 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. May worsen these conditions.

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