Sennosides-Docusate Sodium

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Mar 07, 2024

Warnings

Sennosides (Senokot) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Sennosides can cause or worsen health problems in some patients. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for constipation if you are at increased risk of complications from sennosides use. Some of the risks of using sennosides include:

LAXATIVE OVERUSE: If your constipation symptoms do not resolve after a week of taking sennosides, call your doctor. Long-term use of stimulant laxatives can make your bowels lose their natural activity and become dependent on laxatives to function. Also, call your doctor if your constipation is accompanied by stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in bowel habits. Stop using sennosides and call your doctor if you fail to have a bowel movement after taking the laxative.
ELECTROLYTE ABNORMALITIES: If you take sennosides to the point of causing diarrhea, it can result in electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia (low potassium). This can put you at risk of serious health complications, including heart rhythm abnormalities. The risk is higher in people who overuse sennosides and those taking loop diuretics (water pills) or medications from the digoxin family.

Precautions Before Starting Sennosides (Senokot)

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to the active ingredient sennosides, any of the inactive ingredients in sennosides formulations, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions between your medications.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Sennosides may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breast-feeding.

Older adults (age 65 years and older) should talk to their healthcare provider about the risks versus benefits of taking sennosides. There may be other safer medications available to treat constipation.

Precautions During Use of Sennosides (Senokot)

Use sennosides to treat occasional constipation. Do not take this laxative for more than one week without consulting your doctor. If you do not have a bowel movement after taking sennosides, call your doctor.

Certain sennosides products such as Ex Lax and Perdiem Overnight Relief should be taken at least 2 hours away from other medications.

Remember, eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular physical exercise work as a natural medicine for constipation.

Tell your doctor if you develop nausea, stomach cramps, discomfort, or a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or longer while on sennosides. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help if you develop rectal bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on sennosides.

Sennosides (Senokot) Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how sennosides work. Possible interactions between sennosides and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all your medications, including prescription drugs, OTC (non-prescription) medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professionals if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with medications and supplements.

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