Senna (Black Draught, Fletcher’s Castoria, Gentlax)

Category:

• Gastrointestinal

Description:

• Stimulant laxative

Indications:

• Constipation

• Bowel evacuation or preparation for surgery or examination

Contraindications:

• GI bleeding, obstruction, fecal impaction, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting

• Symptoms of appendicitis, acute surgical abdomen

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C; not excreted into breast milk; compatible with breast feeding

• Fluid and electrolyte imbalance can occur with abuse

• Abuse, dependency

• Children

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• GI: anorexia, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

• METAB: alkalosis, enteropathy, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, tetany

Dosage:

Administered orally (tablet, granules, syrup), rectally

• Adult:   

  • PO up to 1600mg daily; tablets (187-600mg), 1-8 tablets daily; granules (163-1600mg per ½ teaspoonful), ¼ to ½ teaspoonful daily; syrup (218 mg/5ml), 5-20ml daily; 

  • PR up to 1600mg daily; suppository (650mg) 1-2 daily

• Child >6years; >27 kg: Do not use Black Draught (granules) for children; 

  • PO up to 800mg daily; tablets (187-600mg), 1-4 tablets daily; syrup (218 mg/5ml), 10-30ml daily;

• Child 2-5 years: 

  • PO up to 300-400mg daily

• Child 1 month to 1 year: 

  • PO up to 300-400mg daily; syrup 1.25-5ml daily