Sennosides docusate sodium is for treating constipation. Sennosides docusate sodium contains two medications, which are sennosides and docusate.
The first one, Sennosides, is known as stimulant laxatives. It works because it keeps water in the intestines and helps to cause movement of the intestines. At the same time, docusate is a stool softener, which helps in increasing the amount of water in the stool and makes it soft and easier to pass.
So How Does This Medication Work?
The combination of these products contains two medications, which are senna and docusate sodium. The Senna happens to be of a class of drugs called stimulant laxatives.
While the docusate sodium is part of the family of medications known as stool softeners, Senna works to increase the activity of the muscle in the digestive system, which makes waste material to remove as a stool.
The Docusate sodium works to increase the amount of water in the stool and make stools soft and easier to pass.
The combination of this medication is for the treatment of occasional constipation due to hard stools. However, this drug is for women who recently gave birth.
Note that people who used to have hard, dry stools should avoid it (For example, are people with haemorrhoids or anal fissures). Note that this combination typically produces stool between 6 and 12 hours after taking the medication.
Note that the medication of sennosides docusate sodium may be available under different brand names or might come in several forms.
However, doctors may have advised you to get this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these articles. But in case you haven’t discussed this with your doctor yet, or you aren’t still sure why you are taking the sennosides docusate sodium medication, then I advise you to consult your doctor.
Make sure you don’t give this sennosides docusate sodium medication to anyone else, even though the person has the same symptoms as you do. This medication can be harmful to some people, especially if their doctor hasn’t recommended it for them.
Here Is How To Use Sennosides Docusate Sodium
Anyone taking this medication must take it by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 millilitres) or as your doctor has directed you. However, in case you’re self-treating, make sure to follow all instructions on the product package. In case of any inquiries, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Note that dosage depends on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment. Please, you should not increase your dosage or take this drug more often than your doctor directed.
Note that you shouldn’t take this medication for more than seven days except if directed by your doctor. Also, there could be severe side effects with over usage of this medication.
Sometimes it takes this medication 6 to 12 hours before causing a bowel movement. So inform your doctor in case your condition persists or worsens. In case you notice any serious medical issue, go for medical attention immediately.
So What Form(S) Does This Sennosides Docusate Sodium Medication Comes?
The sennosides docusate sodium medication comes as a tablet. It contains 8.6 mg of sennosides and 50 mg of docusate sodium.
The Side Effects Of Sennosides Docusate Sodium
Diarrhoea, weakness, stomach/abdominal pain, or nausea may occur. However, if you notice these effects persist or worsen, please consult a doctor or pharmacist immediately. Using this medication, it may cause your urine to turn reddish-brown.
Please note that the effects are not harmful as you use this medication and will disappear after stopping the medication. If your doctor prescribed this medication to you, it means he has identified that the benefit of this medication to you is greater than the risk of the side effects.
However, a lot of people taking this medication do not have serious side effects. But you should consult your doctor immediately if any of these severe unlikely side effects happen:
- Muscle cramps/weakness
- Persistent nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea
- Irregular heartbeat
- Decreased urination
- Dizziness,
- Mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
There have not been any severe allergic reactions to this medication yet. But ensure to go for medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms of allergic reaction that including the following:
- Itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- Rash
- Severe dizziness,
- Trouble breathing.
Please note that this isn’t the complete list of possible side effects.
Who Shouldn’t Take This Medication?
Please don’t take this medication if you are:
- Very allergic to Senna, docusate sodium
- Having any blockage in your digestive tract
- Having appendicitis
- Having ulcerative colitis, Cohn’s disease, or inflammatory colon disease
- Having severe dehydration
- Having undiagnosed abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, or fever
- Having weakness in muscle activity of the digestive system
- Having undiagnosed bleeding from the rectum
- Having an abdominal condition needing urgent surgery
What If I Missed My Dose?
If a doctor directs you to take this medication regularly and miss a dose, make sure you take it once you remember. But if your next dosage is close, then you can skip the missed dose. You can continue taking your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. But it would help if you did not double the dosage to catch up.
How To Store Sennosides Docusate Sodium
Note that different brands of this sennosides docusate sodium medication may have additional storage requirements. So you should check out instructions on the product package on how you should store it, or you can ask your pharmacist.
Make sure to keep all medications away from pets and children. Also, ensure this medication isn’t flushed to the toilet or poured into unless instructed to do so.
You should discard this product properly whenever it expires or is no longer needed. You can seek advice from your pharmacist or local waste disposal company on how you can safely discard this product.
Conclusion
Sennosides docusate sodium is for the treatment of constipation. However, dosage depends on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.
Though you may find other preventive or relieve constipation, this includes drinking enough water, exercising, and eating a proper diet with fibre-rich foods like bran, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
