calcium sennosides at a glance
Medicine class
Stimulant laxative
Licensed role
Short-term relief of occasional constipation
Form
Oral syrup
Expected onset
A bowel movement commonly occurs after about 8–12 hours
What is calcium sennosides used for?
The selected syrup is licensed for short-term relief of occasional constipation in people aged 12 years and over.
Do not use it for unexplained persistent bowel symptoms or possible intestinal obstruction.
Stimulant laxatives do not cause fat loss or reduce calorie absorption and should not be used for weight loss.
How does calcium sennosides work?
Gut bacteria convert sennosides into rhein anthrone in the large bowel. This increases colonic movement and promotes water and electrolyte secretion into the bowel while reducing their absorption.
calcium sennosides preparations and strengths
Syrup
Route: Oral
Strengths: 7.5 mg/5 mL
How to take calcium sennosides
Swallow the syrup with or without food and follow the packet or prescriber's directions.
Use the supplied measuring device or a medicine spoon, not a kitchen spoon.
Maintain adequate fluid intake unless a clinician has advised fluid restriction.
Do not combine the selected syrup with another laxative.
calcium sennosides side effects
Common or expected effects
- Abdominal cramps or spasms
- Diarrhoea
- Harmless yellow or red-brown urine discolouration
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including swelling or breathing difficulty
- Severe diarrhoea causing dehydration or electrolyte disturbance
- Marked muscle weakness, spasms, twitching, faintness, seizure or abnormal heartbeat suggesting significant electrolyte imbalance
calcium sennosides in pregnancy
The selected syrup is contraindicated during pregnancy under its product licence. Independent UK information reports no known pregnancy harm from laxatives generally and says senna may sometimes be considered after preferred options have not helped. Ask a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber to select an appropriate product.
calcium sennosides while breastfeeding
The selected syrup is contraindicated during breastfeeding under its product licence. Specialist guidance considers senna generally compatible with breastfeeding a healthy, full-term infant because exposure through milk is low, but a pharmacist or prescriber should recommend a suitable licensed product. Seek advice if the infant develops diarrhoea or feeds less well.
calcium sennosides interactions
Fluid loss and low potassium from excessive laxative effects can increase risks with several medicines.
Digoxin and other cardiac glycosides
Low potassium can increase cardiac glycoside toxicity.
Diuretics
Concurrent use can increase dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Systemic corticosteroids
Concurrent use may add to potassium loss.
Common questions about calcium sennosides
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is calcium sennosides the same as senna?
Calcium sennosides are salts of stimulant-laxative glycosides obtained from senna. Senna products may contain these compounds in different formulations.
Why can urine turn red-brown?
Senna metabolites can harmlessly discolour urine yellow or red-brown. The colour returns to normal after treatment ends.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.