Senokot and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2021

For Constipation "I had a terrible experience with this drug. The worst stomach cramps I’ve ever had. Chills and nausea too. 15 hours later I feel wiped out and doubled over in pain still. My legs and calves cramped also all night and are still cramping. I would never take this again and I urge caution before taking this."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

For Constipation "I was constipated for 4 going on 5 days. I have never taken a laxative before and figured going herbal was the best way. I took two extra strength Senokot pills before bed, woke up around 6 am with intense cramps. I had terrible cramps for hours until I finally made a BM around 11 am. I realized taking two extra strength might have been too much - I just wanted it to get the job done. It did, but I still had stomach discomfort at 4:30 pm. Somewhat annoyed at the side effects, but it worked."

• NoN...
• September 21, 2015

For Constipation "Took only one tablet (directions said to take 2) at 9 pm after being constipated and miserable for a week. Two hours later, I was doubled over with the most agonizingly painful stomach cramps I have ever experienced. Was on the toilet for 3 hours without any bowel movement, literally screaming from the pain. I honestly thought I was going to have to call 911. Finally, I had explosive diarrhea for the next hour. Slept on the bathroom floor and had intermittent diarrhea all night. I would rather be constipated for a month than go through that again. Second worst pain I've ever experienced (first worst was a second-degree sunburn on my feet and legs)."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2024

For Constipation "Senokot is something I swear by. As a child, I stretched my bowel to double the size it was supposed to be as I have chronic constipation and ended up in the hospital. I am now an adult and have to deal with it on a daily basis, being prescribed to take 4 laxatives a day just to make sure I can pass my stools. Sometimes I deal with very big blockages, and Senokot is the only thing that clears my bowels and prevents me from having to go to the hospital for the doctors to flush them for me. I would highly recommend Senokot to anybody who suffers from the same amount of constipation as me. For reference, sometimes my blockages get so big they create a visible lump in my stomach that can be quite painful. I will say that I do get stomach cramping after taking Senokot, but it is nothing compared to what I have to deal with on a daily basis."

• Jor...
• January 10, 2017

For Constipation "Constipated since Christmas Day 2016, now January 10th, 2017. Went a little every couple of days, nothing to write home about. Took one Senokot last night at 9 pm. 7:30 am next morning had some rumblings, a little cramp, then went as normal. Felt a little nausea and a bit of tummy ache for 30 minutes, then okay. Thank goodness."

• Hwk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2016

For Constipation "Took two before bed after being advised to by my doctor, woke up feeling the same. After a few hours, needed to go, but nothing came out, went to work and felt my stomach churning and groaning. Got home, had my dinner, and now diarrhea. But not explosive or terrible! A tiny belly ache, but nothing bad. At least everything's moving!"

• Ano...
• January 18, 2017

For Constipation "Oh holy god, I have very mixed feelings about this Senokot. It is effective at getting things moving. Took it four days in a row, and on the fourth day, I now have the most horrific stomach cramps ever, the worst I've ever had by far, and I keep having to go over and over again. I've already gone three times today, and as I write this, I feel the urgency again. I will not be taking these again, that's for sure. They do work, but these cramps (which I see others have reported too) are really, really not worth the bother."

• JWA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2022

For Constipation "Took this at night before to help with constipation. Next morning, small movement. And then slowly, the pains built up to intense stomach cramps that lasted well into the early hours of the following day. Unable to sleep. Three days later, and things are still not quite right. Never again."

• Mea...
• August 4, 2018

For Constipation "Took one dose and nothing. Took second dose, and that’s when the headache and cramps, and the stomach gurgles started. It sure cleared the pipes, but wow, liquid fire from within, and lived in my bathroom for a day. I was tempted to just sleep on my bathroom floor to make it easier. Once I thought nothing more could possibly come out, a new wave would hit. Can’t even eat crackers or it goes right through."

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2022

For Constipation "Works well for me, usually 1 max strength tablet is enough, but I’ve taken 2 in one day before, morning and evening. I did get some stomach cramps from the double dose, but not bad enough to stop me from doing normal daily things. Personally, I prefer Senokot to Dulcolax, that was the one that gave me really painful cramps, so I have stuck with Senokot!"

• Jef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2021

For Constipation "This product is amazing! For years, I have had issues having a bowel motion and have spent lots of money trying different products. I have been taking Senokot for 2 weeks now, and I have gone every day! Take 2 gummies before bedtime, and the next morning I go! No cramps, icky taste, or stomach aches. This product really works. Thanks, Senokot!"

• Sen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2022

For Constipation "I used Senokot last night around 9:30 pm. I had eaten a lot of food that day and still didn’t have a bowel movement, so I took one of the laxatives and went to bed. I woke up the next morning with awful stomach cramps, and I didn’t know if it was from my period or from Senokot, so I went to use the bathroom, and everything came out. After that, the stomach cramps stopped. It’s now 11:15 am, and my stomach is just a tiny bit uncomfortable. I think it’s because I didn’t get everything out yet. But I didn’t have a terrible experience with it. I probably won’t use it again in case I get more of the other terrible side effects that I am terrified of."

• Gra...
• November 2, 2021

For Constipation "I've taken Senokot before, and it usually works. This one time, though, I had severe side effects. Bad stomach cramping, grumbling, shooting pains, going to the bathroom every 7-10 minutes, burping like crazy, weak and nauseous, chest pains (what I imagined having a heart attack feels like), and watery stools. I've never experienced anything this bad before. I've never had a baby before, but I imagined this to be worse than labor pains, minus the giving birth part. I had so many things planned for the day, but I spent it curled up in a ball. The second day was better, less frequent bathroom breaks, but when I ate something, it started again. I honestly considered calling 911. Hopefully, the third day is better. I'd give it a five for the side effects. I've only taken two this time, before, I used to take four, and nothing like this happened before. Take with caution, seriously."

• JJ1...
• July 6, 2018

For Constipation "Taken Senokot a couple of times the past few weeks and found it to be effective with little to no side effects. Took only one yesterday at 8 a.m., it kicked in at 3 p.m. and ohhh boyyy. I visited the toilet 7 times in the space of a few hours, I had horrendous stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting and couldn't hold anything down all day. It is now 5 p.m. the following day and I still have cramping, similar to food poisoning. Yes, it will clear out the pipes, but is it worth it to feel like this? Will stick to Ducolax in the future!"

• Bur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2017

For Constipation "Took 2 tabs in AM and 2 in PM for a bowel motion in the AM, horrible stomach cramps, not worth it. Just use Milk of Magnesia, no cramps, and with the right dose, bowel movement in 2-3 hours and no cramps. Just drink hot liquids for a couple of hours!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2021

For Constipation "On top of fiber supplements and Miralax, I take stimulant laxatives once in a while for severe constipation. I have IBS, so I’m careful to only take one Senokot. I’ve been dealing with fecal impaction for a while, and there have been times the Senokot didn’t do much besides give me stomach cramps. I may not have taken enough. The strange thing is, about 3 o'clock yesterday I took a single 25 mg pill (half the recommended dose of Sennosides), and by nighttime I had a successful bowel movement, but to my dismay, the movements didn’t stop. Now I’m having watery diarrhea with incontinence. The stomach cramps are gone, but over 32 hours later I’m still dealing with soiling. I’m not sure why. I imagine it will stop soon, but I’ll be reluctant to ever try it again with my IBS. One good thing I can say is that it definitely worked. As far as comparing the cramping pain to childbirth, it is a similar feeling, but nowhere near as painful for me."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2022

For Constipation "I am a 26-year-old man who can handle a dodgy stomach. One Senokot and I suffered extreme stomach pain and watery poop like someone putting their finger over a hose. It was the worst! I took it at 11:15 pm, woke up at 4:30 am like a burst fire hydrant, then 7:30 am came the second wave. I had to work that day and turned up late. I was practically useless due to the diarrhea every hour. The stomach cramps were on and off constantly throughout it all and were terrible. The only reason for the second star is because it did work. It was just one of the most awful experiences of my life. Avoid at almost all costs unless it is your ONLY option!"

• Mik...
• May 11, 2022

For Constipation "I have been recently prescribed 30 mg codeine phosphate for a football (soccer) injury. I was in that much pain at first that I double dosed on the codeine (not a smart idea) and the next morning waking up, I had the light feeling of needing to go to the toilet but just couldn't. I have dealt with weaker OTC versions of codeine and had slight constipation issues, but normally waking up, I'd have a nice strong coffee and then, 20 minutes later, I could go to the toilet. I had taken Senokot 7.5 mg (2 actually) when I had the same sort of codeine-related constipation issues. I can even say they had the best effect and I found myself timing my doses of codeine to leave approximately 24 hours so I could use the toilet and then re-dose. All the negative side effects like stomach cramps and major abdominal pains never happened to me, even when taking 3, so in essence I suppose it affects everyone differently, much like other medication, etc. What I do now is simply take it midday and use a timer."

• Way...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2021

For Constipation "Horrendous 2 weeks with my first ever bout of constipation and stomach cramps (after a pretty poor lifestyle through the distress of COVID lockdowns and rules). I went on the offensive, decided enough was enough, nothing solid for a couple of days, and also a couple of Senokot, read the label, what harm could it do? Friday evening took 2, nothing. Saturday evening took 2 more, nothing. Sunday the same. Monday morning a further 2, a smoothie, and a full carton of apple juice. Hey presto, bowel movement of lessening density, no more than 5 times that day. Problem solved, I thought. Well, oh no, that evening in bed, woken by the most horrific stomach cramp ever, sweats and that water feeling in your mouth. Half asleep, thought not much of it. Next morning, feeling a bit groggy, needed to go to the toilet again, 2 times with decent consistency. All hell broke loose, stomach pain and cramps, 10 hours in now. Help me please, how long does."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2020

For Constipation "Took 1 tablet at 10 pm last night before bed, that was a mistake for me. It’s now 4:55 am. I’ve been up since 3:20 am with the most horrendous diarrhea and stomach cramps. Will not be using again."