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Psyllium/senna Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Perdiem, SennaPrompt

Psyllium/senna Pregnancy Warnings

Senna has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. Psyllium has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. One study of sennosides A and B on rats and rabbits during organogenesis reported no evidence of teratogenicity. Animal studies on psyllium have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. The combination of psyllium and senna should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

See references

Psyllium/senna Breastfeeding Warnings

There are no data on the excretion of psyllium into human milk. Senna is not excreted into human milk. However, senna is a prodrug which is metabolized in vivo to the active sennosides (glucosides of rhein). Rhein is excreted into human milk in very small amounts. No adverse effects have been observed in nursing infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers senna to be compatible with breast-feeding.

See references

References for pregnancy information

  1. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins. 1998.
  2. Product Information. Metamucil (psyllium). Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals. 2001;PROD.
  3. Product Information. Perdiem (psyllium-senna). Novartis Pharmaceuticals. PROD.
  4. Shepard TH. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. 1989;574-5.

References for breastfeeding information

  1. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins. 1998.
  2. Product Information. Metamucil (psyllium). Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals. 2001;PROD.
  3. Product Information. Perdiem (psyllium-senna). Novartis Pharmaceuticals. PROD.
  4. Faber P, Strenge-Hesse A. Relavence of rhein excretion into breast milk. Pharmacology. 1988;36(suppl 1):212-20.
  5. Shepard TH. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. 1989;574-5.
  6. Werthmann ME, Kres SV. Quantitative excretion of senokot in human breast milk. Med Ann Dist Columbia. 1973;42:4-5.
  7. Baldwin WF. Clinical study of senna administration to nursing mothers: assessment of effects on infant bowel habits. Can Med Assoc J. 1963;89:566-8.
  8. Greenhalf JO, Leonard HS. Laxatives in the treatment of constipation in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Practitioner. 1973;210:259-63.

Further information

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