FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Senna

Senna is a stimulant laxative used to relieve occasional constipation in adults and children.

Brand names Black DraughtEx-LaxFletcher's CastoriaNature's RemedyPerdiem Overnight Relief +11 more
OTC Forms 3 Route Oral
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 17 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveDec 24, 2025
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ17
AvailabilityOTC
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ1983
FDA-listed product records ⓘ38
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 22, 2026
⭐ Senna at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Senna is a reliable, short-term option for occasional constipation that typically produces results within 6 to 12 hours. It should not be used for more than one week without a doctor's guidance. If you experience rectal bleeding or no bowel movement after use, stop taking it and contact your doctor right away.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Senna: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Senna — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

All senna products covered here are used for the same core purpose: relieving occasional constipation. Senna generally produces a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours.

  • Senexon (tablet) — relieves occasional constipation
  • Senna-Tabs / Senna Tabs (tablet) — relieves occasional constipation
  • Senna Laxative (tablet) — relieves occasional constipation
  • Senna Natural Relief (tablet) — relieves occasional constipation
  • Senna Liquid / Senna Syrup (oral syrup) — relieves occasional constipation
  • OneLAX SENNA (oral syrup) — relieves occasional constipation
  • Senna (oral syrup and oral solution) — relieves occasional constipation
💊How it's taken▾

All senna products are taken by mouth. Tablets and liquids are generally taken at bedtime so they can work while you sleep, producing a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours. Shake liquid formulations well before each use. Do not exceed the recommended dose for your age group, and do not use senna for longer than 1 week unless a doctor directs you to.

  • Tablets (Senexon, Senna-Tabs, Senna Tabs, Senna Laxative, Senna Natural Relief): Taken at bedtime or as directed by a doctor. Children under 2 must see a doctor before use.
  • Senna Liquid / Senna Syrup: Adults and children 12 and older take 10–15 mL once daily at bedtime. Children under 12 should consult a doctor.
  • OneLAX SENNA / Senna syrup / Senna solution: Taken at bedtime or as directed; shake well before use. Children under 2 must see a doctor first.
⚠️Warnings & precautions▾

The most important rule with senna: do not use it for longer than 1 week unless your doctor specifically tells you to. It is meant for short-term, occasional use only.

  • Stop use and call your doctor if you have rectal bleeding or if you don't have a bowel movement after taking senna — both can signal a more serious condition.
  • Do not use senna if you currently have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting — check with your doctor first.
  • If you've noticed a sudden change in your bowel habits that has lasted more than 2 weeks, see a doctor before using any laxative.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before use.
  • Keep all senna products out of reach of children. Children under 2 years old should only use senna if directed by a doctor.
  • In case of overdose, contact a Poison Control Center right away.
🔀What it interacts with▾

Senna can affect how other medications are absorbed in your body, so timing matters.

  • Other medications: Take senna at least 2 hours before or after any other drugs to reduce the chance that the laxative effect interferes with how your other medications work.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining senna with any prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾
  • Tell your doctor if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting before starting senna.
  • Tell your doctor if you've had a sudden, unexplained change in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check with a health professional before using senna.
  • Children under 2 years old: do not use without a doctor's direction.
  • Taking other medications? Ask a doctor or pharmacist first — laxatives can affect how other drugs work.
🚑If you take too much▾

If you or someone else takes too much senna, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.

📦How to store it▾

store at room temperature between 15 0 -30 C (59 0 -86 F)

📄 Written from Senna’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

46

Supplements & herbs that interact with Senna

46 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Senna in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 3
  • Moderate · 34
  • Minor · 9
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major JALAP Major OLEANDER Major ALDER BUCKTHORN Moderate ALOE Moderate BLACK HELLEBORE Moderate BUTTERNUT Moderate CALOTROPIS Moderate +38 more
Every supplement checked against Senna — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 3 major · 34 moderate · 9 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Senna against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

3

Nutrient depletion considerations

Senna has been associated with lower levels of 3 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

CALCIUM Moderate Depletion POTASSIUM Moderate Depletion VITAMIN D Moderate Depletion
See the full Senna nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Senna — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

How long does it take for senna to work? ▾
Senna typically produces a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours. That's why most people take it at bedtime — so it can do its job overnight and you get results in the morning. If nothing happens after that window, don't take more right away; check with your doctor instead.
Can I take senna every day? ▾
Senna is designed for short-term, occasional use. You should not use it for more than 1 week unless your doctor specifically tells you it's okay. Using laxatives too often or for too long can sometimes mask a more serious underlying problem, so if you're finding you need it regularly, that's a conversation worth having with your doctor.
Is it safe to take senna with my other medications? ▾
Laxatives like senna can affect how your body absorbs other medications. To be safe, take senna at least 2 hours before or after any other drugs you use. It's always a good idea to let your pharmacist know everything you're taking — they can flag any timing issues quickly.
When should I stop taking senna and call a doctor? ▾
Stop using senna and contact your doctor right away if you notice any rectal bleeding or if you don't have a bowel movement after taking it. These can be signs of something more serious that needs attention. Also stop if you develop stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting after starting it.
Can I take senna if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding? ▾
The labeling advises checking with a health professional before using senna if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. It's not something to skip — just have a quick conversation with your doctor or midwife first so they can confirm it's appropriate for your situation.
Can children take senna? ▾
Many senna products have dosing guidance for children as young as 2 years old, but the dose depends on the child's age and the specific product. Children under 2 years old should not take senna unless a doctor recommends it. Always follow the age-specific directions on whichever product you're using, and when in doubt, call your pediatrician.
Is Senna available over the counter? ▾
Yes — Senna is available over the counter (without a prescription) in at least some forms, according to its FDA labeling. Follow the package directions and ask your pharmacist if you're unsure which product is right for you.
When was Senna first available? ▾
Senna has been available in the United States since at least 1983, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Senna? ▾
Senna is supplied by 19 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Atlantic Biologicals Corp., Akron Pharma Inc., Boiron.

💬 Answers drafted from Senna’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

📊Senna supplement interactions46 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerSenna vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Senna NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

💊 How Senna comes

Senna is available in 3 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Senexon
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Senexon tablets relieve occasional constipation and generally produce a bowel movement in 6–12 hours.
  • Senna-Tabs and Senna Tabs relieve occasional constipation and generally produce a bowel movement in 6–12 hours.
  • Senna Laxative tablets relieve occasional constipation and generally produce a bowel movement in 6–12 hours.
  • Senna Natural Relief tablets relieve occasional constipation and generally produce a bowel movement in 6–12 hours.
Important instructions
  • Senna Laxative, Senna Natural Relief, Senna-Tabs, Senna Tabs, and Senexon tablets are taken by mouth, preferably at bedtime or as directed by a doctor.
  • Do not exceed the recommended dose for your age group.
  • Children under 2 years of age should not take senna tablets without asking a doctor.
  • Follow your specific product label for age-appropriate dosing — dosing varies by age.
Available strengths 1 strength
8.6 mg
20 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Oral solution

By mouth
Brands OneLAX SENNA Senna Liquid Senna Syrup
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • OneLAX SENNA syrup relieves occasional constipation.
  • Senna Liquid and Senna Syrup relieve occasional constipation and generally produce a bowel movement in 6–12 hours.
  • Senna oral syrup and oral solution relieve occasional constipation and generally produce a bowel movement in 6–12 hours.
Important instructions
  • Shake all liquid senna products well before each use.
  • OneLAX SENNA and Senna syrup are taken preferably at bedtime or as directed by a doctor.
  • Senna Liquid and Senna Syrup: adults and children 12 and older should take 10 mL to 15 mL once daily at bedtime; children under 12 should ask a doctor.
  • Do not exceed the maximum dose listed on your specific product label.
Available strengths 3 strengths
8.8 mg/5 mL 417.12 mg/237 mL 30 [hp_C]/mL
13 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

📊 Senna across the U.S. market

How Senna appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

3
Dose forms ⓘ
19
Manufacturers
9
Brand names
38
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1983
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (1) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Atlantic Biologicals Corp.13%
Akron Pharma Inc.11%
Boiron11%
Pioneer Life Sciences, LLC11%
PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.8%
Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC5%
Other makers42%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Senna is used

A general measure of how commonly Senna is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Senna is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

1,155,349
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$9.6M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Senna prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Senna ranks #152 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 90% of them.

Where Senna ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #152 of 1,596
#147 Diazepam 1,216,820 Rx #148 Celecoxib 1,204,360 Rx #149 Ofloxacin 1,194,981 Rx #150 Nicotine Transdermal P... 1,178,062 Rx #151 Hydrochlorothiazide /... 1,175,772 Rx #152 Senna 1,155,349 Rx #153 Medroxyprogesterone 1,134,727 Rx #154 Azelastine Nasal Spray 1,133,133 Rx #155 Paroxetine 1,132,136 Rx #156 Promethazine 1,115,560 Rx #157 Norethindrone 1,115,474 Rx

Utilization by Senna product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 8.6 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Senna product — about 89% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

sennosides, USP 8.6 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

1,032,774 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 89% of Senna prescriptions shown $8M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $7.79 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 16 of 218 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 312935

sennosides, USP 1.76 MG/ML Oral Solution

117,188 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 10% of Senna prescriptions shown $1.5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $13 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 72 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 702311

sennosides, USP 15 MG Chewable Tablet

3,564 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Senna prescriptions shown $37,205 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $10 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 20 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 251020

sennosides, USP 17.2 MG Oral Tablet

1,604 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Senna prescriptions shown $30,678 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $19 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 602802

sennosides, USP 15 MG Oral Tablet

192 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Senna prescriptions shown $1,594 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $8.30 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 13 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 200162

sennosides, USP 25 MG Oral Tablet

27 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Senna prescriptions shown $245 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $9.06 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 48 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 251292

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Senna, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 26 of 378 listed Senna NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Senna products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Senna — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 38 of 38 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 38 Senna NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Senna RxCUI 36387 7 dose forms · 22 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Chewable Tablet RxCUI 373857 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 3 MG RxCUI 2268214 10 MG RxCUI 283719 15 MG RxCUI 251020
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 373856 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 8.6 MG RxCUI 476827 17.2 MG RxCUI 2169295
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Film RxCUI 2269682 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 8.6 MG RxCUI 790473
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Flakes RxCUI 1092362 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.013 MG/MG RxCUI 1092363
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 376533 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1.76 MG/ML RxCUI 702311 33.3 MG/ML RxCUI 259126 35.2 MG/ML RxCUI 883726 65 MG/ML RxCUI 237931
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Suspension RxCUI 375272 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1.67 MG/ML RxCUI 1858414
  7. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 373859 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 7.5 MG RxCUI 249956 8.5 MG RxCUI 1092367 8.6 MG RxCUI 312935 12 MG RxCUI 243374 15 MG RxCUI 200162 17 MG RxCUI 283325 17.2 MG RxCUI 602802 25 MG RxCUI 251292 217 MG RxCUI 883720 325 MG RxCUI 282742

Look up RxCUI 36387 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Black Draught Ex-Lax Fletcher's Castoria Nature's Remedy Perdiem Overnight Relief Senexon Senna X-Prep Senokot Swiss Kriss Fletchers Castoria Ex-Lax Chocolated Ex-Lax Regular Strength Pills Ex-Lax Maximum Relief Formula Perdiem Overnight SenoSol Senna-Time

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Atlantic Biologicals Corp. 5 Akron Pharma Inc. 4 Boiron 4 Pioneer Life Sciences, LLC 4 PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3 Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC 2 Ulai Health LLC 2 Medsource Pharmaceuticals 2 Pharbest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 Washington Homeopathic Products 1 Sab Herbals And Nutraceuticals 1 Rugby Laboratories 1 Precision Dose, Inc. 1 Major Pharmaceuticals 1 Kesin Pharma Corporation 1 Good Sense 1 DirectRX 1 Contract Pharmacy Services-PA 1 Belleview Biosciences 1

RxNorm drug class

Senna belongs to the Contact laxatives class.

Drug family (ATC) Contact laxatives

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Dec 24, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Senna.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Senna after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
17
NDC products indexed
38
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
19
Linked representative label ⓘ
Pharbest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Linked label effective
Dec 24, 2025
Composite sections available
9
Linked SPL Set ID
b9f8ea59-932f-4827-a87c-b4aff909c43f
Linked SPL Document ID
61f99f78-d945-4004-a167-f3a80979f4a4
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 17 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Pharbest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.