Sennalax-s

Sennalax-s Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Docusate acts primarily by increasing the penetration of fluid into the faeces. It may also have effects on intestinal fluid secretion, and probably act both as stimulant and faecal softening agent. It also softens ear wax through penetration into the dry matrix of the ceruminous mass, reducing it into semi-solid debris.

Docusate sodium is a laxative and an anionic detergent that supposedly promotes incorporation of water and fats into stool through a reduction in surface tension, resulting in softer fecal mass . Docusate's onset of action is 6-72 hours orally and 2-15 minutes rectally . The effects of docusate are thought to be exerted locally in the jejunum.

Trade Name Sennalax-s
Generic Docusate + senna
Weight 50mg + 8.6mg, 50mg + 8.6mg
Type Oral capsule, oral tablet
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country United States
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Sennalax-s
Sennalax-s

Uses

Docusate is used for Constipation, Bowel evacuation, Softening of ear wax, Constipation

Sennalax-s is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Constipation, Occasional Constipation, Bowel preparation therapy

How Sennalax-s works

Recent studies suggest that docusate's mechanism of action is due largely to it's surfactant effect in the intestines, which allow fat and water into the feces to soften the stool.

Docusate’s mechanism of action was investigated in 1985 on healthy patients. Docusate was added directly to the jejunum based on calculated concentrations of docusate in the jejunum. At this concentration, there was an increase in secretion of water, sodium, chloride, and potassium as well as a decrease in absorption of glucose and bicarbonate. Based on in vitro data, the authors suggested this effect was due to an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP either directly through docusate or E series prostaglandins.

Dosage

Sennalax-s dosage

Constipation:

  • Adult: 50-300 mg daily in divided doses. Max: 500 mg daily.
  • Child: ≥12 yr Same as adult dose.

Bowel evacuation:

  • Adult: As adjunct to abdominal radiological procedures: 400 mg given with barium meal.
  • Child: ≥12 yr Same as adult dose.

Side Effects

Anorectal pain or bleeding (rectal). Rarely, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, skin rash.

Toxicity

Docusate is not known to be carcinogenic or cause reproductive toxicity. It was not mutagenic in the Ames assay . Acute oral LD50 in rat is 1900 mg/kg .

Precaution

Rectal admin in patient with haemorrhoids or anal fissures. Children. Pregnancy and lactation.

Interaction

May enhance GI uptake of other drugs (e.g. liquid paraffin). May increase effects of anthraquinone laxatives. Increased incidence of adverse effects in GI mucosa with aspirin.

Elimination Route

Docusate is not absorbed systemically. As the actions of docusate are local and it is not absorbed, the pharmacokinetic parameters are not available.

Elimination Route

If docusate is systemically absorbed, it undergoes biliary excretion .

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Contraindication

Presence of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, intestinal obstruction. Perforation of ear drum or ear inflammation (otic).

Acute Overdose

Symptoms: Oral: Excessive loss of water and electrolytes. Otic: Skin irritation.

Management: Oral: Encourage patient to drink plenty of fluid. Replenish electrolyte loss where appropriate. Otic: Symptomatic treatment.

Storage Condition

Store between 15-30° C. Protect from freezing, heat, humidity and light.

Innovators Monograph

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*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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