Senna leaves

Senna leaves have a laxative effect.

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Indications Senna leaves

It is used to eliminate the following problems:

• regulation of stool in people with proctitis, cracks in the rectum, and hemorrhoids;
• chronic forms of constipation of an atonic nature;
• at the stage of preparation for a surgical procedure.

Release form

The drug is produced in tablets, and also in the form of herbal raw materials, which are packaged in briquettes, filter bags or packs.

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Pharmacodynamics

The medicine is of plant origin, it contains sennozoids, which have an irritating effect on the chemoreceptors of the mucous membrane inside the colon, and in addition, reflexively increase intestinal peristalsis, thereby having a laxative effect. The drug helps to restore intestinal activity when constipation develops. Addiction to its use does not develop.

Senna leaves contain a small amount of resinous elements, due to which the drug does not have a strong irritating effect on the mucous membrane (this distinguishes it from buckthorn or rhubarb). The medicinal effect is noted after 8-10 hours. The drug is well tolerated.

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Pharmacokinetics

Sennosides are not absorbed inside the gastrointestinal tract. They undergo a process of splitting inside the large intestine, and then sennidins are formed from them, which are transformed under the influence of bacterial reductases into active decay products (reinantrones).

Most of the substance is excreted through the intestines (90%). The remainder is absorbed and metabolized in the liver, and then excreted through the intestines and kidneys, causing the urine to acquire a red or yellow-brown tint.

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Dosing and administration

Senna leaves for constipation are taken in the form of tinctures or decoctions, or in tablets. The degree of laxative effect is determined by the dosage: taking 2-4 g of the drug causes a laxative effect, and taking 5+ g causes a laxative effect.

Preparation of the decoction.

To prepare the decoction, take 2 tablespoons (5-10 g) of the herbal mixture and pour hot water (1 glass) over them. Next, heat the liquid in a water bath (for half an hour), after which it should be infused until it cools completely. Then add water to the strained decoction to reach a volume of 0.2 liters.

The medicine should be taken half a glass at a time, after dinner, at night. The volume of the tincture drunk can be reduced if the laxative effect is too strong, and against its background painful urges and pain sensations in general develop.

This course lasts a maximum of 21 days.

Application of filter bags.

When using herbal tea from filter bags, take 4 of these bags and pour boiling water over them (1 glass). Then let the liquid sit for 15-20 minutes and squeeze out. The resulting volume is brought to 0.2 liters with ordinary water.

The medicine should be taken in the evening, half a glass.

Using tablets.

Taking senna extract in this dosage form is carried out in the following way: adults take 1-2 tablets of the drug at night, and the entire course lasts at least 4-30 days.

Children aged 1-3 years are given 0.5 tablets of Senadex before bedtime, and children aged 4-12 years are given 1 tablet. If there is no stool in the morning, the portion size should be increased. It is necessary to select the minimum portion that will stabilize the stool. At the same time, children are prohibited from exceeding the dosage equal to 2 tablets. After selecting the optimal portion, it should be maintained for a maximum of 7 days, and then gradually reduced - by ¼ tablet at intervals of 3 days.

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Use Senna leaves during pregnancy

It is prohibited to prescribe the drug to pregnant women.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• strangulated hernia;
• abdominal pain of unknown origin;
• spastic form of constipation;
• disorders of water metabolism processes;
• intestinal blockage;
• bleeding from the uterus or gastrointestinal tract;
• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• cystitis.

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Side effects Senna leaves

The use of the drug may lead to the development of certain side effects:

• abdominal pain;
• diarrhea;
• allergy symptoms;
• bloating;
• colitis (as a result of prolonged use).

Overdose

Intoxication manifests itself in the form of water-electrolyte imbalance and diarrhea.

To eliminate the disorders, symptomatic measures must be taken.

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Interactions with other drugs

Medicines containing senna leaves reduce the absorption of tetracycline.

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Storage conditions

Senna leaves should be kept under standard medicinal conditions, at a temperature level of maximum 25°C.

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Shelf life

Senna leaves can be used for 3 years from the date of manufacture of the medicinal product.

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Analogues

Analogues of the drug include such products as senna extract produced in tablets, as well as Tisasen and Senadeksin.

Reviews

Senna leaves are often used as a laxative. Most patients report that if the dose is chosen correctly, regular stools can be achieved, which are mushy and occur without excruciatingly painful urges or other painful sensations. Many also note the convenient form of the drug - tablets or tea bags. The stool often stabilizes after 3-4 days of use.

Prescribing laxatives of plant origin to children has some inconveniences - due to the complexity of calculating the indicators of active anthraglycosides. As a result, side effects or overdose may develop. Therefore, children are more often prescribed tablets (such as Tisasen or Senadeksin).

If we talk about cases when the drug was used as a means for weight loss, then the reviews are quite different. Thanks to taking tea or decoction from this herbal collection, it is possible to achieve loose stools and speed up the removal of food masses from the intestines, and the food itself is poorly absorbed. But at the same time, the plant itself does not affect metabolism, and obtaining the result in the form of weight loss is extremely doubtful (users write about this on forums). Often, for this purpose, the drug is used uncontrollably and for a long time. All this ultimately leads to the loss of potassium (electrolytes), the appearance of proteins with red blood cells in the urine, the development of colitis, accompanied by atrophy in the area of the muscular mucous membranes, and in addition, the deposition of melanin in the area of the intestinal mucosa.

It is necessary to take into account that long-term use of drugs can cause the development of hepatotoxicity and intestinal atony, against the background of which chronic constipation will develop.