Senna

Safety information

Toxicity: Abdominal pain/spasm, diarrhea, allergic skin reactions. Long-term: reversible pseudomelanosis coli, electrolyte/water imbalance, proteinuria/hematuria, urine discoloration. | Stimulant laxative (sennosides/anthraquinones) — cramping, dehydration, electrolyte loss; chronic use harms the colon. Flag. | Use with care — strong purgative; cramping if not combined with a carminative. | Overuse/misuse causes potassium loss; chronic use causes dependency and impaired peristalsis (intestinal smooth-muscle damage).

Contraindications: Intestinal obstruction/stenosis, atony, appendicitis, IBD (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), unexplained abdominal pain, severe dehydration. Not in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or children <12. Max one week's use. | Pregnancy, bowel obstruction/IBD, children, chronic use. | Not for children under 12 or in colitis; do not use continuously beyond ~10 days (risk of bowel weakening/dependence); pregnancy on professional advice only. | Contraindicated in chronic constipation, intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease (appendicitis, colitis, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's), abdominal pain of unknown origin, anal prolapse, hemorrhoids; ideally avoid in pregnancy/lactation and children under 12; max ~10 days.

Interactions: Potassium loss can potentiate cardiac glycosides (digoxin), interact with antiarrhythmics, QT-prolonging drugs, thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, licorice root (additive hypokalemia). | Potassium-depleting drugs, digoxin. | None specifically noted. | May reduce absorption of oral drugs (decreased bowel transit time); potassium loss increases cardiac-glycoside toxicity; aggravates diuretic-induced potassium loss.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding. | Pregnancy contraindicated. | Pregnancy on professional advice only. | Ideally avoid in pregnancy/lactation.