Senna for constipation

This leaflet is about the use of Senna for constipation.

Information Standard quality markThis leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Do not give senna without water. It will not work properly and you risk causing dehydration.

Name of drug

Senna

Brand names: Manevac®, Senokot®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

When a child is constipated, their stools (poo) are hard and painful to pass. Constipation can also make the child feel quite poorly.

Your doctor will probably prescribe a type of medicine called an osmotic laxative (e.g. lactulose, polyethylene glycol [Laxido, Movicol]) to give to your child first. This will soften the stool (poo). Senna is then used to help your child to pass the
softened stool.

It is important that your child takes senna regularly, as it may take some time for the constipation to get better.

What is senna available as?

  • Tablets: 7.5 mg
  • Granules: 2.7 mg or 15 mg
  • Liquid medicine: 7.5 mg in 5 mL (brown)

When should I give senna?

Senna is usually given once each day. You can give it either before the evening meal (which should help your child to do a poo in the morning), or in the morning (before breakfast).

Give the medicine at about the same time each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of senna (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give senna?

Tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablet.


Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount using a medicine spoon or oral syringe. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.


Granules: Mix the granules into a cold or warm drink. Your child should swallow it all straight away. (The granules will swell when they come into contact with the liquid, so the mixture should be drunk straight away.) If you prefer, you can sprinkle the granules onto a small amount of food (such as yogurt, honey or jam). Your child must drink a full glass of water afterwards.

When should the medicine start working?

Your child should be able to do a poo 8–12 hours after taking a dose of senna.  However, if the constipation is bad, it may be a few days before they do a poo. Continue to give the medicine each day. Your child should not strain to do a poo.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of senna, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of senna, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

  • If you normally give it in the morning: Give your child the missed dose when you remember during the day. This should be at least 12 hours before the next normal morning dose is due.
  • If you normally give it in the evening: You do not need to wake your child up to give the missed dose. Give it in the morning before breakfast. This should be at least 12 hours before the next normal evening dose is due.

What if I give too much?

If you give too much senna, your child may get stomach ache or diarrhoea.

If you think you may have given your child too much senna, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647 in England and Wales; 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland) for advice. Have the medicine packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

  • Your child may get stomach cramps. This usually wears off after a few doses. If it is still a problem when your child has been taking senna for a week, contact your doctor.
  • If your child gets diarrhoea, contact your doctor, as they may want to reduce the dose of senna.
  • If your child has bad or watery diarrhoea, or seems tired and weak, contact your doctor.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as senna?

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about senna?

  • If your child has not done a poo after taking senna for 3 or 4 days, contact your doctor – they may want to increase the dose of senna.
  • If your child has diarrhoea, contact your doctor, as they may want to reduce the dose of senna.
  • You can help your child’s constipation by giving them high-fibre foods such as fruit, vegetables, bran and high-fibre cereals to eat. Also encourage them to drink plenty of water, which will help to soften the stools.

General advice about medicines

  • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
  • If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor for advice.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where I should keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about senna and about other medicines used to treat constipation.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

9/12/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.2, March 2011 (November 2011). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: March 2013.
The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.