senna

senna,

any plant of the genus Sennia (formerly placed in Cassia), leguminous herbs, shrubs, and trees of the family Leguminosae (pulsepulse,
in botany, common name for members of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae), a large plant family, called also the pea, or legume, family. Numbering about 650 genera and 17,000 species, the family is third largest, after the asters and the orchids.
..... Click the link for more information. family), most common in warm regions. Some species are cultivated for ornament, but sennas are best known as medicinal plants. The dried leaves are used as a purgative and are chiefly obtained from S. acutifolia (Alexandria senna) and S. angustifolia (Indian senna); both trees are cultivated especially in S India. The wild senna (S. marylandica), a perennial of the E United States, has been similarly used. Golden shower (S. fistula) of India yields canafistula, a purgative extracted from the fruit pulp. The young shoots of several wild species are used for food and the seeds for a coffee substitute. S. nictitans, a North American herb, is sometimes called wild sensitive plant because its leaves respond to touch as do those of the true sensitive plant, a mimosa. Senna is classified in the division MagnoliophytaMagnoliophyta
, division of the plant kingdom consisting of those organisms commonly called the flowering plants, or angiosperms. The angiosperms have leaves, stems, and roots, and vascular, or conducting, tissue (xylem and phloem).
..... Click the link for more information. , class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Leguminosae.

senna

Leaf tea famously used to relieve constipation. Be very careful, this stuff is very powerful and can cause damage if not used correctly. Contains several glycosides that interact with immune cells in the colon. Pods are much stronger, so avoid them. Senna may cause cramping. Do not take more than one week or colon muscles will atrophy and become dependent on laxatives. Don’t use with licorice root, thiazide diuretics, or steroids because of potassium loss. Don’t use if pregnant or nursing. Each branch has 4-5 pairs of standard shaped pointy oval leaves. Yellow flowers. Legume pod fruit are flat with about 6 seeds.

senna

[′sen·ə] (pharmacology) The dried leaflets of plants of the Cassia genus; used in medicine as a cathartic.

senna

1. any of various tropical plants of the leguminous genus Cassia, esp C. angustifolia (Arabian senna) and C. acutifolia (Alexandrian senna), having typically yellow flowers and long pods 2. senna leaf the dried leaflets of any of these plants, used as a cathartic and laxative

Senna

Ayrton . 1960--94, Brazilian racing driver: world champion (1988, 1990, 1991)

senna

[sen´ah] the dried leaflets of Cassia acutiflora; used in a syrup, fluid extract, or compound powder as a cathartic.

senna, sennosides

Argoral (CA), Black Draught, Ex-Lax Gentle, Fleet Pedia-Lax Quick Dissolve, Fletcher's, Maximum Relief Ex-Lax, Nu-Lax (CA), Perdiem, Senexon, Senna-Gen, Sennatural, Senokot, Senokot Granules, SenokotXTRA, Senolax, Sure-Lax (UK)

Pharmacologic class: Anthraquinone laxative

Therapeutic class: Laxative (stimulant)

Pregnancy risk category C

Action

Causes local irritation in colon, which promotes peristalsis and bowel evacuation. Softens feces by increasing water and electrolytes in large intestine.

Availability

Granules: 15 mg/tsp

Liquid: 8.8 mg/5 ml, 25 mg/5 ml, 33.3 mg/ml (concentrate)

Tablets: 8.6 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 17 mg, 25 mg

Strips (orally disintegrating): 8.6 mg

Tablets (chewable): 10 mg, 15 mg

Indications and dosages

➣ Acute constipation; preparation for bowel examination

Adults and children ages 12 and older: For acute constipation, 12 to 50 mg P.O. daily or b.i.d. For bowel preparation, 105 to 157.5 mg (concentrate) 12 to 14 hours before scheduled procedure.

Children ages 6 to 11: 50% of adult dosage. Or, two orally disintegrating strips; don't exceed four strips in 24 hours.

Children ages 2 to 5: 33% of adult dosage. Or, one orally disintegrating strip; don't exceed two strips in 24 hours.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug or its components

• GI bleeding or obstruction

• Suspected appendicitis or undiagnosed abdominal pain

• Acute surgical abdomen

• Fecal impaction

• Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease)

Precautions

Use cautiously in:

• pregnant or breastfeeding patients

• children.

Administration

• Give with a full glass of cold water.

• To prepare patient for bowel examination, give 12 to 14 hours before procedure, followed by a clear liquid diet.

Adverse reactions

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nutrient malabsorption, yellow or yellowish-green feces, loss of normal bowel function (with excessive use), dark pigmentation of rectal mucosa (with long-term use), protein-losing enteropathy

GU: reddish-pink discoloration of alkaline urine, yellowish-brown discoloration of acidic urine

Metabolic: electrolyte imbalances (such as hypokalemia)

Other: laxative dependence (with long-term or excessive use)

Interactions

Drug-diagnostic tests. Calcium, potassium: decreased levels

Patient monitoring

• Assess bowel movements to determine laxative efficacy.

• In long-term use, monitor fluid balance, nutritional status, and electrolyte levels and watch for laxative dependence.

Patient teaching

• Tell patient using drug for constipation to take at bedtime with a glass of water.

• Instruct patient to place orally disintegrating strips on the tongue, allow strip to dissolve, then drink plenty of water.

• In long-term use, advise patient to watch for and report signs and symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

• If patient will undergo bowel examination, advise him to take drug 12 to 14 hours before procedure, followed by a clear liquid diet.

• As appropriate, review all other significant adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the tests mentioned above.

sen·na

(sen'ă), The dried leaflets or legumes of Cassia acutifolia (Alexandrine senna) and C. angustifolia (Tinnevelly or Indian senna); a laxative. [Ar. senā]

senna

(sĕn′ə)n.1. Any of various plants in the pea family, chiefly of the genera Senna and Chamaecrista, having pinnately compound leaves and showy, nearly regular, usually yellow flowers, used as ornamentals and for medicinal purposes.2. A preparation of the dried leaves of Senna alexandrina, used as a laxative.

senna

Herbal medicine
A shrub native to northern and eastern Africa, which contains emodin and anthraquinone glycosides (sennosides A and B); it is primarily used as a laxative.

Toxicity
In excess, senna may evoke nausea, vomiting and colic; it should not be used in pregnancy or in those who are nursing, or who have colitis, haemorrhoids or ulcers. Overuse may be associated with so-called lazy bowel syndrome.

senna

A stimulant laxative drug used to treat constipation. The drug is on the WHO official list. A brand name is Senokot.

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senna, sennosides

Action

Availability

Indications and dosages

Contraindications

Precautions

Administration

Adverse reactions

Interactions

Patient monitoring

Patient teaching

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Words related to senna

noun any of various plants of the genus Senna having pinnately compound leaves and showy usually yellow flowers

Related Words