Senna Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 3, 2022.
Applies to senna: oral solution, oral tablets and chewable pieces.
Side effects include:
Abdominal discomfort, nausea, mild cramps, griping, faintness.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to senna: compounding powder, oral disintegrating strip, oral granule, oral liquid, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, rectal suppository.
Gastrointestinal
Abdominal pain, abdominal spasm, and liquid stool passage usually occurred in patients with irritable colon and may occur in individual overdose events; dose reductions should be performed if the side effects occur.
Chronic use may result in intestinal mucosa pigmentation/pseudomelanosis coli, which usually recedes with treatment discontinuation.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, abdominal spasm, diarrhea, gastrointestinal tract mucosal pigmentation, intestinal mucosa pigmentation, liquid stool passage, pseudomelanosis coli[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Albuminuria, chromaturia, hematuria, pH-dependent urine metabolite discoloration, red-brown urine metabolite discoloration, yellow urine metabolite discoloration[Ref]
Albuminuria and hematuria may occur as a result of electrolyte and water equilibrium disorders.
Urine discoloration by metabolites was not clinically significant.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Generalized exanthema, localized exanthema, pruritus, urticaria[Ref]
Metabolic
Chronic use may result in electrolyte metabolism and water equilibrium disorders.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Cachexia, electrolyte metabolism disorder, hypokalemia, tetany, water equilibrium disorder[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity/hypersensitivity reactions[Ref]
Hypersensitivity reactions included generalized/local exanthema, pruritus, and/or urticaria.[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Finger clubbing, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Hypogammaglobulinemia[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Asthma[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
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Patient resources
- Senna drug information
- Sennosides Capsules and Tablets
- Sennosides Chewable Tablets
- Sennosides Liquid and Syrup
Other brands
Senokot, Senexon, Ex-Lax, Senna Lax, ... +12 more
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. Product Information. Fletchers Castoria (senna). Mentholatum Company, The. 2005.
2. Product Information. SenoSol-X (senna). Apothecon Inc. 2022.
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
4. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
5. Product Information. Ex-Lax Chocolated (senna). Novartis Consumer Health. 2019.
6. Product Information. Ex-Lax Extra Strength (senna). Novartis Consumer Health. 2019.
7. Product Information. Ex-Lax Regular Strength Pills (senna). Novartis Consumer Health. 2019.
8. Product Information. Senna (senna). Humco Holding Group. 2019.
9. Product Information. Senna Lax (senna). Mylan Institutional (formerly UDL Laboratories). 2019.
10. Product Information. Senokot (senna). Palmetto State Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2019.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.
