Senna Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 24, 2023.

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

• Which drugs cause opioid-induced constipation?

See also:

Further information

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

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