Senna is used as an over-the-counter treatment for a number of digestive system problems commonly experienced by children, including constipation.While senna is approved as a laxative by the Food and Drug Administration, children can experience several potential side effects with its use. Speak to your child's pediatrician about the possible dangers before you give any products containing senna to your child, whether the items are laxatives or herbal supplements.
Senna
The fruit and leaves of the herb senna, also known as Cassia senna and Alexandrian senna, function as an intestinal stimulant. Senna treats constipation by causing the muscles of the intestine to contract, forcing accumulated stool out of the body. Senna is sold in the United States in liquid, powder or tablet form under several brand names, including Ex-Lax, Little Tummy's Laxative, Senexon, Pedia-Lax and Senokot. Compared to other types of laxatives, such as stool softeners, bulk-forming laxatives or hyperosmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives like senna are more likely to cause side effects.
Possible Side Effects
Senna may cause your child to experience a number of side effects, including diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramps, gas, stomach pain, joint pain, nausea, vomiting and a change in the color of bowel movements and urine. In certain instances, reactions and side effects that can lead to serious health complications can occur with senna use. Stop giving your child senna and seek immediate medical attention if your child has any of the following: bloody urine; bowel movements that are tar-black in color; yellowing skin or eyes; dizziness; extreme fatigue; rectal bleeding; trembling; difficulty breathing; swelling in the throat, face, lips or tongue; uncontrollable diarrhea or severe stomach pain.
Guidelines for Use
If your child's pediatrician has recommended a senna-containing laxative to treat your child's constipation, be sure to follow the instructions precisely: don't give more dosages daily than instructed and don't continue using senna for more than seven days unless it is under the direction and supervision of a doctor. Let the pediatrician know if your child has had a history of digestive system problems, is regularly taking medication for another condition or has had an allergic reaction to any other laxative.If your child is taking senna in its powdered form, you can mix the dosage with any preferred liquid or soft food to make it more palatable. Encourage your child to drink between six to eight glasses of liquid daily -- preferably water -- while using senna.
Considerations
Although the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of senna as a laxative, it has not approved senna that is sold as an herbal supplement. This means that any commercial senna supplement you may purchase is not regulated by the FDA and has not been checked for effectiveness, safety or purity. Some supplements like senna may be contaminated with toxic metals or chemicals that can compromise your child's health. Always speak to a doctor before giving your child any product containing senna. Keep in mind also that health professionals recommend increasing your child's intake of fruits, vegetables and fluid as the first step in trying to treat constipation.
