Senna Dosage

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

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; sennosides 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 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

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

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

Maximum dose: 2 tablets/day

12 years and older: 1 tablet orally once a day at bedtime

Maximum dose: 4 tablets/day

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.