| Brand Name | Ex-Lax |
| Generic Name | Sennosides |
| Drug Class | Stimulant Laxative |
| Availability | Prescription |
| Manufacturer | Novartis |
| Indications | Constipation |
| Type | Tablet, Oral Solution |
| Doses | Oral: 8.6-17.2 mg daily, typically taken at night |
| Route | Oral |
| Side Effects | Cramping, diarrhea, nausea, urine discoloration |
| Interactions | Similar to senna; may interact with cardiac meds |
| Overdose | Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe stomach/abdominal pain or cramping. |
| Missed Dose | If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. |
| Contraindications | GI obstruction, intestinal inflammation. |
| Alternatives | Senna, Bisacodyl, Cascara sagrada |
| Co-Pay Assistance Program | OTC |
| Patient Assistance Program | Not available |
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Sennosides are also taken as a natural stimulative laxative that can be applied to treat constipation by stimulating the intestinal muscle.
Sennosides act by stimulating the intestinal muscle which facilitates bowel movement and constipation.
The side effects are not uncharacteristic and those are abdominal cramps, diarrhea and dehydration. Excess use can result in the laxative dependency.
The sennosides are usually administered orally in the form of tablets, liquid or chews. Take the dosage level prescribed by your medical service provider.
The use of sennosides should not be carelessly applied during pregnancy. The use of any laxative should not happen when a person is pregnant without the recommendation of a healthcare provider.
In case, you do forget to take a dose, then make sure that you take the dose as soon as you remember but not nearly close to the time of taking the second dose. Do not take two doses at once.
Yes, when there is serious diarrhea, Sennosides will cause dehydration to take place. Intake of large quantities of fluids should be taken when taking this drug.
The sennosides generally perform well in the cases when used in 6-12 hours and this is based on the individual who takes the drug.
The advice on the usage of sennosides is that they should be used in the short-run. Long-term use is associated with laxatives dependence. When the constipation is chronic, consult a doctor on alternative treatment.
Sennosides can be administered along with some other drugs as diuretics and other laxatives. Report all medications to your medical practitioner.
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