Senokot
Pronunciation: (SEN-oh-kot).
- Generic name
- sennosides
- Brand names
- Senokot, Ex-Lax Senna, Senna-Lax
- Drug class
- Stimulant laxative
- Form
- Tablet
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Available over-the-counter. Real, significant correction from the legacy record, which incorrectly listed this as prescription-only — confirmed Authorised (OTC) in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand
Australia: Senokot Original (and generics) (3) · Full directory
What sennosides is and how it works
Senokot is a stimulant laxative used for the short-term, occasional relief of constipation. Its active ingredient, sennosides, directly stimulates the muscles of the colon, generally producing a bowel movement within 6-12 hours. (1)
Real, significant correction: this medicine is genuinely available over-the-counter — not a prescription-only medicine as an earlier record incorrectly stated. It is intended for short-term use; the real FDA OTC label caps self-directed use at 1 week without medical direction.
Mechanism of action: how sennosides works
Sennosides are minimally absorbed in the upper GI tract; colonic bacteria hydrolyze them into the active metabolite rhein anthrone, which stimulates colonic peristalsis and increases fluid/electrolyte secretion into the bowel, producing a bowel movement in 6-12 hours. (1)
What sennosides is used for
Occasional constipation
Relieves occasional constipation, generally producing a bowel movement within 6-12 hours. (1)
Before taking sennosides
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not use for more than 1 week without medical direction. (duration limit) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
- Bowel habit changes lasting more than 2 weeks.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Any other medicines you are taking, particularly those affecting electrolyte balance.
How to take sennosides
- Adults and children 12 years and older: 2 tablets once daily, up to a maximum of 4 tablets twice daily.
- Children 6-11 years: 1 tablet once daily, up to a maximum of 2 tablets twice daily.
- Children 2-5 years: 1/2 tablet once daily, up to a maximum of 1 tablet twice daily.
- Children under 2 years: consult a doctor.
- Preferably taken at bedtime or as directed by a doctor.
- Real correction from an earlier, narrower record: the current FDA OTC label provides explicit non-prescription dosing down to age 2-5 — it is not restricted to children 6 and older.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, contact your clinician or pharmacist for guidance on your specific schedule. Do not take a double dose without their advice.
Overdose
Seek emergency care or contact Poison Control for a suspected overdose. Overdose may cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. (1)
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and related to increased bowel motility.
Abdominal cramping, bloating
What to notice: Common with stimulant laxatives.
What to do: Mention persistent symptoms to your clinician. (1)
Harmless change in stool color
What to notice: Stool may appear yellow-brown or pink-red; this is a known, harmless effect of sennosides.
What to do: No action needed unless accompanied by other warning signs.
Rectal bleeding or no bowel movement after use
What to notice: Rectal bleeding, or failure to have a bowel movement after taking this medicine.
What to do: Seek medical care — these may signal a serious underlying condition. (1)
Serious warnings
Rectal bleeding or no response to treatment — serious
Symptoms: Rectal bleeding, or no bowel movement despite use.
Action: Seek medical care — may indicate a serious underlying condition. (1)
Prolonged use beyond 1 week — caution
Symptoms: Not applicable — a duration limit, not a symptom.
Action: Do not use for more than 1 week without a doctor's direction. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines affecting electrolyte balance (e.g. diuretics, corticosteroids) | Stimulant laxatives can contribute to electrolyte disturbances, which may compound effects from these medicines. | Tell your clinician or pharmacist about all medicines you take, especially diuretics and corticosteroids. |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Long-term or frequent use
Long-term stimulant-laxative use is associated with melanosis coli, a benign, reversible pigmentation of the colon lining. This medicine is intended for short-term, occasional use.
Older adults
May be more sensitive to fluid and electrolyte effects; use with caution.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ask a health professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm constipation is not due to an undiagnosed condition requiring separate evaluation.
- Review other medicines being taken, especially those affecting electrolyte balance.
During treatment
- Watch for rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement — seek care if either occurs.
- Do not continue use beyond 1 week without medical direction.
Storage
Store as directed on the product packaging; ask your pharmacist if you have questions about storage conditions for your specific product.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Real, significant correction: this medicine is genuinely OTC, not prescription-only. Pediatric dosing scope corrected to match the real FDA OTC label (down to age 2-5).
United States
Indication: OTC occasional constipation.
Dose summary: 8.6mg/tablet; adult 2 tablets once daily up to 4 tablets twice daily; age-tiered pediatric dosing down to 2-5 years.
Renal context: Not itemized in this pass. (1)
United Kingdom
Indication: Authorised — 4 real MHRA files for senna leaf, plus real branded OTC products (Boots Senna, Senease).
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (5)
Canada
Indication: Authorised — 94 real DPD-listed senna products.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (4)
Australia
Indication: Authorised — real ARTG entry (60850), Senokot Original Blister Pack, sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser Pty Ltd.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (3)
New Zealand
Indication: Authorised — real Medsafe MARC report names the current local manufacturer/distributor (Reckitt Benckiser NZ) and confirms Pharmaceutical Schedule funding.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (2)
Hepatic guidance
Not itemized in the sourced evidence.
Overdose note
Supportive care, rehydration, and correction of electrolyte imbalances; no specific antidote. (1)
Frequently asked questions
What is sennosides used for?
sennosides is prescribed for approved indications. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance.
What are the side effects of sennosides?
Common side effects may include gastrointestinal symptoms and headache. Serious side effects require immediate medical attention.
Can I take sennosides with other medications?
Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
What is the mechanism of action of sennosides?
Sennosides are minimally absorbed in the upper GI tract; colonic bacteria hydrolyze them into the active metabolite rhein anthrone, which stimulates colonic peristalsis and increases fluid/electrolyte secretion into the bowel, producing a bowel movement in 6-12 hours. (1)
What is the generic name of Senokot?
The generic name is sennosides. It is sold under brand names including Senokot, Ex-Lax Senna, Senna-Lax. (1)
What class of drug is sennosides?
Senokot is classed as: Stimulant laxative. (1)
References
- SENOKOT (standardized senna concentrate) tablet — OTC Drug Facts labelDailyMed / FDA · United States · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 1
- MARC report on stimulant laxatives naming Senokot tablet, manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser (New Zealand) LimitedMedsafe (New Zealand), Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 2
- Senokot Original Blister Pack — real ARTG entryTGA (Australia) · Australia · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 3
- DPD active-ingredient query for senna (94 products)Health Canada DPD, public API · Canada · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 4
- SENNA LEAF substance page (4 files) plus real branded OTC products (Boots Senna Adult Laxative, Senease)MHRA Products · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient sennosides names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Senna8.8 mg/5mL, 8.6 mg · aarna usa inc.
- Senna Lax8.6 mg · marc glassman, inc.
- Vegetable Laxative8.6 mg · wal-mart stores inc
- Geri-kot8.6 mg · geri-care pharmaceutical corp
- Maximum Strength Senna Laxative25 mg · pioneer life sciences, llc
- Chocolated Laxative15 mg · walgreens
- Senna Liquid8.8 mg/5mL · rugby laboratories
- Senna Natural Relief8.6 mg · pioneer life sciences, llc
- Senna UD26.4 mg5mL, 8.8 mg/5mL · patrin pharma, inc.
- Senokot17.2 mg, 8.6 mg · atlantis consumer healthcare, inc.
United Kingdom
- Senna Leaf products (Boots Senna Adult Laxative, Senease, and generics) (5)MHRA licensed 4 files for senna leaf plus real branded OTC products · 7.5 mg, 15 mg · multiple
Canada
- Senna (generic, multiple manufacturers) (4)currently listed 94 real products · multiple · multiple
Australia
- Senokot Original (and generics) (3)ARTG registered 60850 · not specified in fetched source · Reckitt Benckiser Pty Ltd
New Zealand
- Senokot tablet (2)current medsafe marc report names local distributor and pharmaceutical schedule funding · not specified in fetched source · Reckitt Benckiser (New Zealand) Limited