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Senna S Ingredients

Oct 4, 2011 | By Allen Bethea
Senna S Ingredients
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Senna S contains two safe, Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for the treatment of constipation. Senna S is classified as a non-prescription drug and is available in brand-name and low-cost generic forms. Senna S should be used cautiously if you are on the heart medication digoxin, the blood thinner warfarin or diuretic drugs. Consult your physician before you use Senna S, especially if you have heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Product Overview

Senna S is the generic name several pharmaceutical companies use for an over-the counter laxative containing sennosides and docusate sodium. Together, these ingredients soften and propel feces through your bowels and usually produces a bowel movement within six to 12 hours. Senna S laxatives should not be used if you are pregnant or if you have rectal bleeding, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. You should not use Senna S longer than a week without consulting your doctor.

Sennosides

Senna S contains 8.6 mg of the stimulant laxative sennosides. Sennosides are a group of compounds extracted from the leaves or fruit of the plant Cassia senna. Sennosides work by irritating the walls of your colon and producing alternating waves of colon muscle contraction and relaxation that pushes feces through the the bowels and out of your body. This effect is known as peristalsis. Sennosides are generally considered safe, however long-term use of them may cause your bowel muscles to become weak and dependent upon them to function well. According to the National Institutes of Health website MedlinePlus, long-term sennoside use may also lead to electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and the exacerbation of some preexisting heart diseases.

Docusate Sodium

Senna S also contains 50 mg of the stool softener docusate sodium. Docusate is a surfactant and wetting agent. It softens and adds bulk to bowel contents by increasing the amount of moisture they contain. Docusate ensures that your bowel movements are easier and cause less discomfort. Docusate works best if you take it with a full glass of water.

Inactive Ingredients

While Senna S products contain the same active ingredients, the inactive ingredients used to make the actual tablets varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. All Senna S products contain substances to help form and hold together the tablet, coat it, color it and help it break up and disintegrate once you swallow it.
Senna S products may contain coloring agents such as FD&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Yellow #6 Aluminum Lake. The tablets may be formed and held together using microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, guar gum and magnesium stearate and binders. Some manufacturers will use hypromellose and polyethylene glycol as lubricants to help funnel ingredients into tablet molds. Tartaric acid and stearic acid are used to adjust the acidity or alkalinity of the tablet ingredients. Magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, corn starch or tapioca starch are added to help the tablets break up in your stomach juices. Finally, carnauba wax may be used as a coating while sodium benzoate functions as a preservative.

References

Article reviewed by Eric Althoff Last updated on: Oct 4, 2011

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