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Senadex
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Senadex is a contact laxative. It belongs to the category of senna glycosides.
Indications Senadex
It is used for constipation that occurs due to intestinal atony of various origins. In addition, it is used in the process of preparation for X-ray procedures.
Release form
The release is made in tablets, in the amount of 6 or 12 pieces inside a blister pack. The package contains 1 or 2, as well as 5 or 10 blister plates.
Tablets can also be contained in containers of 30 or 50 pieces. There is 1 such container in a box.
Pharmacodynamics
A laxative drug of plant origin. Senna is a drug that stimulates a laxative effect (in a mild form). It contains anthranoids.
Derivatives of 1,8-dihydroxyanthracene have a laxative effect. This effect of sennosides (more precisely, their active metabolic product, reinanthrone) inside the large intestine is determined mainly by the effect on its functional mobility: stationary contractions are slowed down, and propulsive contractions are simultaneously stimulated. This leads to an acceleration of the passage of food inside the gastrointestinal tract, which reduces the duration of contact of chyme with the intestinal walls, and also weakens the resorption of fluid.
At the same time, stimulation of the activity of hydrochloric acid secretion also leads to the secretion of water with electrolytes.
Pharmacokinetics
Glycoside-synthesized senosides (called casiotides) are prodrugs. They are not broken down and absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These elements are broken down in the colon by bacterial enzymes, transforming into reinantrone.
Reinantrone is a metabolic product with a laxative effect. It has extremely low systemic bioavailability. In animal tests, less than 5% of sennoside and rhein derivatives (as oxidized and partially conjugated substances) were excreted in the urine.
A significant portion of reinantron (more than 90%) enters the feces, where it is firmly synthesized with intestinal contents. Excretion occurs in the form of polymeric compounds.
A small part of the active products of metabolism (for example, rein) passes into the mother's milk. Passage of rein through the placental barrier during animal tests occurred in minimal quantities.
Dosing and administration
The dose sizes are determined individually. For teenagers from 12 years old and adults, the dose is 2 tablets, taken 1-2 times a day. No more than 4 tablets of the medicine can be taken per day.
Elderly people should start therapy with a dosage of 1 tablet.
It is necessary to consume a minimum portion size that has a restorative effect on the functioning of the stomach.
The medicine is taken only in short courses.
It is prohibited to use laxatives for a period longer than 7 days unless you have a doctor’s prescription.
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Use Senadex during pregnancy
It is prohibited to prescribe Senadex to pregnant and lactating women.
Contraindications
Main contraindications:
- the presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- inflammation affecting the gastrointestinal tract in an acute form (colitis (and its ulcerative form), as well as regional enteritis);
- presence of vomiting or nausea;
- diseases in the digestive system that have not been previously diagnosed and may develop due to acute intestinal pathologies or surgical operations (such as appendicitis and diverticulitis, as well as peritonitis and frequent diarrhea);
- intestinal obstruction (sometimes in paralytic form);
- constipation of a spastic nature;
- strangulated hernia;
- bleeding inside the gastrointestinal tract or uterus;
- cystitis;
- pain in the epigastrium of uncertain etiology;
- pain sensations of a spastic nature;
- organic liver lesions;
- severe water-electrolyte imbalance disorders (eg, hypokalemia);
- bleeding in the rectal area;
- children under 12 years of age.
Side effects Senadex
Main contraindications:
- the presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- inflammation affecting the gastrointestinal tract in an acute form (colitis (and its ulcerative form), as well as regional enteritis);
- presence of vomiting or nausea;
- diseases in the digestive system that have not been previously diagnosed and may develop due to acute intestinal pathologies or surgical operations (such as appendicitis and diverticulitis, as well as peritonitis and frequent diarrhea);
- intestinal obstruction (sometimes in paralytic form);
- constipation of a spastic nature;
- strangulated hernia;
- bleeding inside the gastrointestinal tract or uterus;
- cystitis;
- pain in the epigastrium of uncertain etiology;
- pain sensations of a spastic nature;
- organic liver lesions;
- severe water-electrolyte imbalance disorders (eg, hypokalemia);
- bleeding in the rectal area;
- children under 12 years of age.
Overdose
Intoxication may cause diarrhea, intestinal colic, and irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the balance of water and electrolytes may be disrupted, epigastric pain, nausea, cramps, intestinal dysfunction, metabolic acidosis, and vascular collapse may develop.
To eliminate the disorders, it is necessary to perform gastric lavage and symptomatic therapy procedures. If there is a risk of diarrhea with complications, the victim should be prescribed to drink as much liquid as possible.
Interactions with other drugs
Long-term use or use of Senadex in high doses potentiates the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs and SG - due to a decrease in potassium levels in the body. The drug also disrupts the absorption of tetracyclines.
Combined use with thiazide-type diuretics, as well as licorice root and GCS medications increases the likelihood of hypokalemia.
It is prohibited to use the drug within 2 hours before or after using other drugs, as this may lead to a decrease in absorption and therapeutic effect of the latter.
Reduces the effectiveness of drugs that are slowly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.
Storage conditions
Senadex should be kept in a place inaccessible to children. Temperature conditions – not higher than 25°C.
Shelf life
Senadex is allowed to be used for 3 years from the date of release of the drug.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Senadex" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.