The Painful Truth About Sennoside Laxatives

does it hurt your body to take sennoside laxative

Senna, also known as sennosides, is a natural laxative made from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant. It is used to treat constipation and empty the bowels before surgery or certain medical procedures. It is available over the counter and is approved for short-term use in adults and children over the age of two. While generally safe for most people, it can cause side effects such as stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and discoloured urine. However, long-term use or high doses of senna can lead to more serious problems, including liver damage and dependence on laxatives.

Characteristics Values
What is it? A natural laxative made from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant.
How does it work? It stimulates the muscles in your gut and keeps water in the intestines, causing movement.
Who is it for? Adults and children over 2 years old.
How to take it? Tablets or liquid taken by mouth once or twice a day.
When to take it? At bedtime so it works overnight.
How long does it take to work? 6-12 hours.
How long can I take it for? No longer than 1 week unless prescribed by a doctor.
Side effects Stomach cramps, diarrhoea, brown urine, allergic reactions, nausea, dizziness, decreased urination, mental/mood changes, irregular heartbeat.
Precautions Not recommended for pregnant women or children under 2 years old.

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Senna is a natural laxative made from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant

Senna is generally safe for adults and children over 2 years old when used for up to 1 week. However, it can cause some side effects, including stomach cramps and diarrhoea, and may cause an allergic reaction in some people. It should not be used for longer than 1 week without medical supervision, as long-term use can cause the bowels to stop functioning normally and may lead to dependence on laxatives, liver damage, and other harmful effects.

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It is approved in the US as a short-term treatment for constipation

Senna is approved in the US as a short-term treatment for constipation. It is available over the counter (OTC) and is used to treat occasional constipation in adults and children aged 2 and above. It is recommended to be taken at bedtime and tends to work within 6 to 12 hours. It is not recommended to be used for more than 1 week without medical supervision.

Senna is a laxative that stimulates the muscles in the intestines (gut) to help the body have a bowel movement. It is made from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant and contains chemicals called sennosides, which irritate the lining of the bowel, causing a laxative effect. It is available in various forms, including tablets, liquids, powders, granules, and chewable pieces.

While generally safe for short-term use, Senna can cause some side effects, including stomach discomfort, cramps, and diarrhoea. It is not suitable for those with certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as stomach pain, intestinal blockage, inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis, or hemorrhoids. Long-term use of Senna can lead to laxative dependence, liver damage, and other harmful effects.

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It can also be used to clear the bowel before procedures such as a colonoscopy

Senna, also known as sennoside, is a laxative medication used to treat constipation and empty the large intestine before surgery. It is taken by mouth or via the rectum. It is a weaker laxative than bisacodyl and castor oil.

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. It is recommended to take senna at bedtime so it works overnight.

Senna is also used to clear the bowel before procedures such as a colonoscopy. It is considered likely effective for this purpose. Prior to a colonoscopy, a doctor will recommend a specific regimen to ensure that the colon is empty before the procedure.

The most common side effects of senna are stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Senna is not recommended for long-term use, as it may result in poor bowel function or electrolyte problems.

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Senna is available over-the-counter and by prescription

Senna is a natural laxative made from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant. It is available over-the-counter and by prescription. It is approved in the US as a laxative for the short-term treatment of constipation. It is also used to clear the bowel before procedures such as a colonoscopy.

Senna is available over-the-counter in the form of tablets and liquid syrup. It is sold under many different brand names and lower-cost generic versions. It is also available in combination with other ingredients in constipation remedies such as Manevac and Senokot Dual Relief tablets.

Senna is also available by prescription. It is likely effective in treating occasional constipation in adults and children aged 2 and above. It is sometimes used in combination with another laxative or stool softener. It is also possibly effective as a bowel preparation before a colonoscopy.

Senna is a stimulant laxative. It stimulates the muscles in the intestines to help the body have a bowel movement. It should be taken at bedtime so that it works overnight. It takes about 6 to 12 hours to work.

It is important to note that Senna should not be used for more than 1 week without the supervision of a healthcare provider. Long-term use can cause the bowels to stop functioning normally and may lead to dependence on laxatives. It can also cause liver damage and other harmful effects.

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It should not be taken for more than a week without medical supervision

Sennoside laxatives are intended for short-term use and should not be taken for more than a week without medical supervision. This is because long-term use can cause the bowels to become dependent on laxatives and stop functioning normally. This can lead to a "lazy" gut that is unable to have bowel movements easily without the use of laxatives.

Additionally, long-term use of sennosides can cause liver damage and other harmful effects. It can also lead to low potassium levels and changes in electrolyte levels, which can cause muscle weakness or twitching, constipation, a numbing or tingling sensation, and irregular heartbeat.

If you find yourself needing to take sennosides for longer than a week, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. They can help determine if there is a more serious problem causing your constipation and recommend an alternative treatment plan.

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Frequently asked questions

Sennosides are safe for most adults when used for up to 1 week. It can cause side effects such as stomach discomfort, cramps, and diarrhoea.

Sennosides are possibly unsafe when used for longer than 1 week. Long-term use can cause the bowels to stop functioning normally and might cause dependence on laxatives. It can also lead to liver damage and other harmful effects.

Sennosides are possibly safe when taken during pregnancy for up to 1 week. It is possibly unsafe when taken for longer than 1 week or in high doses.

Sennosides are possibly safe when taken while breastfeeding for up to 1 week. Small amounts of the medication are passed into breast milk, but it doesn't seem to cause any problems for nursing babies.

Sennosides are likely safe for children over the age of 2 when taken by mouth for up to 1 week. The dosage for children varies depending on their age.

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