Senna Tablets (Pack of 20)

Senna is a stimulant laxative used to treat short term constipation.
Senna is an effective laxative that takes around 8 hours to take effect, it is, therefore, best to take it at night.
Senna should not be used to treat chronic constipation.
You can buy Senna tablets online, from our uk registered pharmacy. After reading any relevant information, you can place your order. Our pharmacy team will review, dispense and dispatch your medication to your chosen address.

About Senna Tablets

Senna is a natural laxative made from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant. It used to treat constipation.

Constipation is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. Constipation means that you are unable to pass stools as regularly as you normally do. The stools that you do pass may be hard and difficult to pass. You may be unable to completely empty your bowel.  Everyone has different bowel habits therefore, each person's experience of constipation may also be different.

Constipation can occur due to varying reasons:
- sudden changes in diet
- your diet is lacking in fibre
- you are dehydrated
- pregnancy
- you are taking medication, such as morphine or codeine, that can cause constipation.

- you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome

- increased age meaning bowel muscles are not as strong or active as they used to be.

Lifestyle measures that can reduce constipation include:
 - increasing your fluid intake
 - increasing your fibre intake
 - increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in your diet
 - increasing exercise.

Having a good, balanced diet along with drinking enough fluids and taking regular exercise can prevent constipation from occurring.  

If implementing the above lifestyle measures are ineffective in easing your constipation, it may be appropriate to treat your constipation with a laxative.

Senna is classed as a ‘stimulant’ laxative and works by stimulating nerve endings in the bowel to cause a bowel movement.

Using Senna Tablets

Senna should be taken at night as it takes about 8 hours to work.

It should be used for the short term treatment of constipation. Long term use of stimulant laxatives is not recommended as prolonged use can cause your bowel to stop functioning by itself. If you have more problematic, long term constipation it is best to seek advice from your doctor.

If, after three days of use, no bowel movement has occurred, you should consult your pharmacist or doctor.

One or two tablets should be taken as a standard dose.

Senna is only appropriate for adults and children over 12 years old.

Effectiveness

Senna is an effective laxative, however, everyone responds differently to medication. Depending on the cause of your constipation, another class of laxative may be more appropriate. If senna is ineffective it may be appropriate to try another type of laxative.

Alternatives

Alternative laxatives available from Rightdose UK include:

• senokot - contains the same active ingredient as senna.
• senokot max strength - contains the same active ingredient as senna
• lactulose - an osmotic laxative that aims to increase the fluid into the bowel.
• bisacodyl - a stimulant laxative that acts in a similar way to senna.
• fybogel - a bulk-forming laxative that aims to increase the fibre in the bowel.
• glycerin suppositories - a stimulant laxative that has a fast acting, local effect.

Senna vs Senokot Max Strength

Senokot Max Strength contains the active ingredient senna but at a higher strength. This means that only one tablet can be taken at night rather than up to two as with Senna Tablets.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Senna is not advised to be used during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding.
If you are suffering constipation during pregnancy you should consult your pharmacist or doctor who can recommend the suitable medication.

Like all medication, you may experience side effects when using this product. Common side effects  include:

 - Abdominal pain and spasms
 - Diarrhoea
 - Red/brown discolouration of the urine, this is harmless.

Other side effects to be aware of include:

- Allergic reactions such as hives, itchy skin, widespread rash or asthma.

 For a full list of side effects, read the patient information leaflet that comes with this medication!

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Senna Tablets PIL

Senna should be taken at night as it takes about 8 hours to work.

It should be used for the short term treatment of constipation. Long term use of stimulant laxatives is not recommended as prolonged use can cause your bowel to stop functioning by itself. If you have more problematic, long term constipation it is best to seek advice from your doctor.

If, after three days of use, no bowel movement has occurred, you should consult your pharmacist or doctor.

One or two tablets should be taken as a standard dose.

Senna is only appropriate for adults and children over 12 years old.

Do not take this medicine for more than seven days. You should drink plenty of fluids while you are taking this medicine. Consult your doctor if you do not have a bowel movement or your symptoms do not improve after three days, or if they get worse during treatment with this medicine. This medicine may not be suitable for everyone and some people must never have it.  Always get advice from a healthcare professional before taking this medicine if: you are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine this medicine is for a child under 12 years of age you have persistent stomach pain or discomfort you have abdominal problems that have come on suddenly and have not been diagnosed by a doctor you have nausea you are vomiting you have an obstruction in the gut you have recently had bowel surgery you have an ileostomy or colostomy you have gastrointestinal bleeding you need to take a laxative every day If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. This medicine is unlikely to have any important interactions. But speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you get any unusual symptoms while taking this medicine with other medicines. Most medicines can cause some side-effects but not everyone having the same medicine will get the same side-effects. The following side-effects have been associated with people taking this medicine: watery diarrhoea with excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes, muscular weakness and weight loss - these may happen if you take this medicine for a long period of time malabsorption and bowel problems heart problems kidney problems red or yellow colouration of the faeces and urine griping pains If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should seek medical advice before taking this medicine. If you are in any doubt about whether this medicine is suitable for you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine should not be used excessively or for long periods of time as your bowels become used to the effect of the laxative. This medicine usually takes between 8-12 hours to have an effect. It is best to take this medicine at night for relief of constipation the following morning. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

Sennosides (total) 7.5mg, maize starch, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium sterate.