Senna Plus (Senna-Docusate) Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

Uses

This product is used to treat constipation. It contains 2 medications: sennosides and docusate. Sennosides are known as stimulant laxatives. They work by keeping water in the intestines, which helps to cause movement of the intestines. Docusate is known as a stool softener. It helps increase the amount of water in the stool, making it softer and easier to pass.

How to use Senna Plus (Senna-Docusate) Tablet

Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) as directed by your doctor. If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed. Do not take this medication for more than 7 days unless directed by your doctor. Serious side effects may occur with overuse of this medication (see also Side Effects section).

It may take 6 to 12 hours before this medication causes a bowel movement. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse, or if bleeding from the rectum occurs. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.

Side Effects

Stomach/abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or weakness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This medication may cause your urine to turn reddish-brown. This effect is harmless and will disappear when the medication is stopped.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: nausea/vomiting/diarrhea that doesn't stop, muscle cramps/weakness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, decreased urination, mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to senna, sennosides, or docusate; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: appendicitis or symptoms of appendicitis (such as nausea/vomiting, sudden or unexplained stomach/abdominal pain), a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts for longer than 2 weeks, bleeding from the rectum, intestinal blockage.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication. Using it for long periods during pregnancy is not recommended. Consult your doctor for more details.

This medication passes into breast milk, but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

A product that may interact with this drug is: mineral oil.

Does Senna Plus (Senna-Docusate) Tablet interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea/vomiting/diarrhea that doesn't stop, severe stomach/abdominal pain or cramping.

Notes

Keep all medical and lab appointments.

Lifestyle changes that may prevent or relieve constipation include exercising, drinking enough water, and eating a proper diet with fiber-rich foods such as bran, fresh fruits/vegetables. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Missed Dose

If your doctor has directed you to take this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Images

Next

You Might Also Like

Cold or Flu? How to Tell

Treating and Managing Eczema Pigmentation

Treating Opioid Use Disorder With Medications

Navigating Life With Migraine

  • Common Searches
  • Adderall
  • Celexa
  • Cipro
  • Cymbalta
  • Flexeril
  • Hydrocodone
  • Prilosec
  • Prozac
  • Seroquel
  • Synthroid
  • Tramadol
  • Trazodone
  • Lexapro
  • Lisinopril
  • Mobic
  • Naproxen
  • Neurontin
  • Pradaxa
  • Prednisone
  • Vicodin
  • Warfarin
  • Wellbutrin
  • Xanax
  • Zocor
  • Zoloft

Drug Survey

Have you ever purchased Senna Plus (Senna-Docusate) Tablet?

This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Senna Plus (Senna-Docusate) Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What medications should not be taken with senna? ›

Interactions ?
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with SENNA. Senna is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. ...
  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with SENNA. Senna can work as a laxative. ...
  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with SENNA. Senna is a laxative. ...
  • Estrogens interacts with SENNA.

What are the severe side effects of senna docusate? ›

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: nausea/vomiting/diarrhea that doesn't stop, muscle cramps/weakness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, decreased urination, mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

What is the downside of senna? ›

Taking it for a long time can cause an electrolyte imbalance, where levels of substances like sodium, potassium and magnesium in your body get too high or too low. A severe electrolyte imbalance can cause serious health problems, such as muscle spasms or twitching, and even cause a seizure or fit.

Is it safe to take Senna Plus every day? ›

Do not take Senna Plus for longer than 7 days in a row, unless your doctor tells you to. Call your doctor if your constipation does not improve or if it gets worse after taking Senna Plus.

What simple trick empties your bowels immediately? ›

Try These Tricks for Quick Bowel Movement Stimulation
  1. Drink coffee. Regarding drinks that make you poop, coffee is probably the first that comes to mind. ...
  2. Squat when you poop. ...
  3. Use a fiber supplement. ...
  4. Take a stimulant laxative. ...
  5. Take an osmotic laxative. ...
  6. Take a lubricant laxative. ...
  7. Try a stool softener. ...
  8. Use a suppository.
Aug 2, 2022

What is the safest laxative for long-term use? ›

Fiber-based laxatives

Bulk-forming laxatives may be safer for long-term use than other options, as they have little risk of long-term side effects when taken correctly. However, they may take longer than other laxatives to work.

What is the best laxative to clean you out? ›

You may need a stimulant laxative if other over-the-counter types haven't helped. Stimulant laxatives include: Bisacodyl (Dulcolax®). Senna (Fletcher's® Laxative).

Is MiraLAX or senna better? ›

Comparing Docusate/senna vs MiraLAX

Docusate/senna has an average rating of 8.3 out of 10 from a total of 17 ratings on Drugs.com. 81% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 13% reported a negative effect. MiraLAX has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 257 ratings on Drugs.com.

Is it OK to take senna every night? ›

It is may be taken once or twice daily. Senna normally causes a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours, so it may be taken at bedtime to produce a bowel movement the next day. Do not take senna for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor.

What if I take laxatives and still can't poop? ›

If laxatives and suppositories do not help, enema, water irrigation, or manual evacuation may be necessary. Prompt medical help for constipation can avoid fecal impaction, which can lead to damage in the rectum and other complications. If fecal impaction occurs, there are several treatment options.

Is senna a stool softener or a laxative? ›

Senna is used to relieve occasional constipation in adults and children. This medicine is a laxative. It generally produces bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours. This medicine is available without your doctor's prescription.

Are senna and Dulcolax the same? ›

Senna (sennosides): Senna is a stimulant laxative like Dulcolax. It can help stimulate the intestines to push out stool. 11. Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350): Miralax is what is known as an osmotic laxative, which allows more water to enter the intestine.

What medicine should you not take with laxative? ›

Drug Interactions
  • Aclidinium.
  • Amantadine.
  • Amiloride.
  • Amitriptyline.
  • Amoxapine.
  • Anisotropine.
  • Atropine.
  • Belladonna.

What drugs interact with senna docusate? ›

Senna/docusate has no listed severe interactions with other drugs. Serious interactions of senna/docusate include: sodium sulfate/potassium sulfate/magnesium sulfate. sodium sulfate/potassium sulfate/magnesium sulfate/polyethylene glycol.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 5916

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.