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Senna Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 23, 2021.

Applies to the following strengths: 326 mg/5 g; 8.6 mg; 652 mg; 218 mg/5 mL; 8.8 mg/5 mL; 15 mg; 25 mg; leaf extract 176 mg/5 mL; 7.5 mg/5 mL; 33.3 mg/mL; 600 mg; 1.65 g/2.5 g; 217 mg; 8.8 mg/mL; 17 mg; 17.2 mg; 12 mg; 3 mg

Usual Adult Dose for:

Usual Pediatric Dose for:

Additional dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose for Constipation - Acute

ORAL:
Liquid (8.8 mg/5 mL): 10 to 15 mL orally once a day

  • Maximum dose: 30 mL/day

Senna Leaves: 5 to 15 mL orally once a day to 2 times a day as needed OR as directed

Sennoside Extract Tea: 23 mg (approximately 5 mL [1 rounded teaspoon]) per cup orally once a day

Tablets:
Sennosides 8.6 mg: 2 tablets orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 8 tablets/day

Sennosides 15 mg: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Sennosides 17.2 mg: 1 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 4 tablets/day

Sennosides 20 mg: 1 tablet orally once a day

Sennosides 25 mg: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week

Comments:
  • Tea and oral liquid formulations are recommended to be given at night.
  • This drug usually produces effects within 6 to 12 hours.

Use: For relief of occasional constipation/irregularity

Usual Adult Dose for Constipation

ORAL:
Liquid (8.8 mg/5 mL): 10 to 15 mL orally once a day

  • Maximum dose: 30 mL/day

Senna Leaves: 5 to 15 mL orally once a day to 2 times a day as needed OR as directed

Sennoside Extract Tea: 23 mg (approximately 5 mL [1 rounded teaspoon]) per cup orally once a day

Tablets:
Sennosides 8.6 mg: 2 tablets orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 8 tablets/day

Sennosides 15 mg: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Sennosides 17.2 mg: 1 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 4 tablets/day

Sennosides 20 mg: 1 tablet orally once a day

Sennosides 25 mg: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week

Comments:
  • Tea and oral liquid formulations are recommended to be given at night.
  • This drug usually produces effects within 6 to 12 hours.

Use: For relief of occasional constipation/irregularity

Usual Pediatric Dose for Constipation - Acute

ORAL:
Liquid (8.8 mg/5 mL):
2 to less than 6 years: 2.5 to 3.75 mL orally once a day

  • Maximum dose: 7.5 mL/day
6 to less than 12 years: 5 to 7.5 mL orally once a day
  • Maximum dose: 15 mL/day
12 years and older: 10 to 15 mL orally once a day
  • Maximum dose: 30 mL/day

Senna Leaves:
12 years and older: 5 to 15 mL orally once a day to 2 times a day as needed OR as directed

Sennoside Extract Tea:
6 years and older: 23 mg (approximately 5 mL [1 rounded teaspoon]) per cup orally once a day

Tablets:
Sennosides 8.6 mg:
2 to less than 6 years: 0.5 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 2 tablets/day
6 to less than 12 years: 1 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 4 tablets/day
12 years and older: 2 tablets orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 8 tablets/day

Sennosides 15 mg:
6 to less than 12 years: 1 tablet orally once a day to 2 times a day
12 years and older: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Sennosides 17.2 mg:
6 to less than 12 years: 0.5 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 2 tablets/day
12 years and older: 1 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 4 tablets/day

Sennosides 20 mg:
12 years and older: 1 tablet orally once a day

Sennosides 25 mg:
6 to less than 12 years: 1 tablet orally once a day to 2 times a day
12 years and older: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week

Comments:
  • Tea and oral liquid formulations are recommended to be given at night.
  • This drug usually produces effects within 6 to 12 hours.

Use: For relief of occasional constipation/irregularity

Usual Pediatric Dose for Constipation

ORAL:
Liquid (8.8 mg/5 mL):
2 to less than 6 years: 2.5 to 3.75 mL orally once a day

  • Maximum dose: 7.5 mL/day
6 to less than 12 years: 5 to 7.5 mL orally once a day
  • Maximum dose: 15 mL/day
12 years and older: 10 to 15 mL orally once a day
  • Maximum dose: 30 mL/day

Senna Leaves:
12 years and older: 5 to 15 mL orally once a day to 2 times a day as needed OR as directed

Sennoside Extract Tea:
6 years and older: 23 mg (approximately 5 mL [1 rounded teaspoon]) per cup orally once a day

Tablets:
Sennosides 8.6 mg:
2 to less than 6 years: 0.5 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 2 tablets/day
6 to less than 12 years: 1 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 4 tablets/day
12 years and older: 2 tablets orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 8 tablets/day

Sennosides 15 mg:
6 to less than 12 years: 1 tablet orally once a day to 2 times a day
12 years and older: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Sennosides 17.2 mg:
6 to less than 12 years: 0.5 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 2 tablets/day
12 years and older: 1 tablet orally once a day at bedtime
  • Maximum dose: 4 tablets/day

Sennosides 20 mg:
12 years and older: 1 tablet orally once a day

Sennosides 25 mg:
6 to less than 12 years: 1 tablet orally once a day to 2 times a day
12 years and older: 2 tablets orally once a day to 2 times a day

Duration of therapy: Up to 1 week

Comments:
  • Tea and oral liquid formulations are recommended to be given at night.
  • This drug usually produces effects within 6 to 12 hours.

Use: For relief of occasional constipation/irregularity

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

  • Patients with abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting unless otherwise directed

Safety and efficacy of 8.6 mg tablet formulations have not been established in patients younger than 2 years.

Safety and efficacy of other tablet formulations and tea have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

  • Patients should drink plenty of water during treatment.
  • Single doses should be taken at bedtime.
  • Tablets should be swallowed whole with water, and without breaking, chewing, or crushing.
  • Honey or lemon may be added to teas to taste.

Storage requirements:
  • Oral liquid: Protect from excessive heat (e.g., above 30C)
  • Oral syrup: Protect from freezing
  • Tablets: Protect from excessive heat (e.g., above 30C); store in original packaging
  • Tea: Protect from heat and moisture

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:
  • Teas should be prepared with cold or lukewarm waster and should be stirred.
  • Senna leaves (tea): The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

General:
  • LIMITATION OF USE: This drug should be used as a short-term treatment to establish bowel activity; indefinite use and/or with excessive doses should be avoided.

Patient advice:
  • Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
  • Patients should be instructed to avoid using products if the tamper evident feature(s) are torn, broken, and/or missing.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer