Senokot Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Constipation is a common problem that affects people of every age group. If you’ve tried dietary changes without success, you’re likely considering taking a laxative. Senokot (senna or sennosides) is one of many over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available for occasional constipation.

But taking the right dose is key when it comes to constipation relief. Below, we’ll discuss typical Senokot dosages for adults and children.

What’s the typical Senokot dosage for adults?

Senokot is a brand name for a line of OTC stimulant laxatives. The dosage varies for each product. But it’s recommended to take your first dose of Senokot at bedtime. That’s because it takes about 6 to 12 hours for it to work. It’s recommended not to take Senokot for longer than 1 week unless your healthcare professional says it’s OK.

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If you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting with your constipation, talk to a healthcare professional before taking Senokot. You should also tell them if you haven’t had a bowel movement after taking Senokot. You may have a more serious issue, such as a bowel obstruction (blockage).

Below, you’ll find more detailed adult Senokot dosage information for each product.

Regular-strength Senokot dosage for adults

Each tablet of regular-strength Senokot contains 8.6 mg of sennosides. The regular-strength Senokot starting dosage for adults is 2 tablets (17.2 mg) by mouth once a day at bedtime as needed. You shouldn’t take more than 4 tablets (34.4 mg) twice a day.

Extra-strength Senokot dosage for adults

Each tablet of extra-strength Senokot contains 17.2 mg of sennosides. The extra-strength Senokot starting dosage for adults is 1 tablet (17.2 mg) by mouth once a day at bedtime as needed. You shouldn’t take more than 2 tablets (34.4 mg) twice a day.

Senokot-S dosage for adults

Senokot-S is a combination of two OTC medications. Each tablet contains 8.6 mg of sennosides and 50 mg of docusate sodium (a stool softener). The starting Senokot-S dosage for adults is 2 tablets by mouth once a day at bedtime as needed. You shouldn’t take more than 4 tablets twice a day.

Senokot laxative gummies dosage for adults

Four Senokot laxative gummies (the listed serving size) contain 34.8 mg of senna leaf powder extract. The suggested Senokot laxative gummies dosage for adults is 4 gummies (34.8 mg) by mouth up to twice a day. You shouldn’t take more than 8 gummies (69.6 mg) total per day.

Good to know: Senokot laxative gummies are a dietary supplement. This is different from Senokot and Senokot-S tablets, which are OTC medications. Dietary supplements are regulated differently from OTC medications. It’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist, before taking a dietary supplement.

Senokot tea dosage for adults

The suggested Senokot tea dosage for adults is one sachet (packet) once a day at bedtime. This is also the maximum daily dosage. To prepare Senokot tea, place one sachet in a cup or mug. Pour 8 oz of boiling water over the tea sachet. Let it steep for 7 to 10 minutes before drinking.

Senokot tea is also a dietary supplement. Each sachet contains 1,400 mg of senna leaf and a blend of the following ingredients:

• Chamomile

• Cinnamon

• Licorice root

• Turmeric root

You should speak with a healthcare professional before trying Senokot tea. Supplements, such as licorice and turmeric, have interactions and side effects to consider. Sharing your medication list with a healthcare professional can help them determine if Senokot tea is OK for you to try.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• When to expect results. Some laxatives work faster than others. Read about how long it takes laxatives to work.

• Get quick constipation relief. Learn which over-the-counter and prescription medications can help.

• What you eat matters. Some foods can relieve (and prevent) constipation. Here are our top food picks for constipation relief.

What’s the typical Senokot dosage for children?

Adolescents ages 12 years and older can follow the adult Senokot dosages listed above. But some Senokot products are also safe to give to children as young as 2 years old. Dosages vary based on a child’s age.

Below are detailed children’s Senokot dosage information for each product. Keep in mind that the labeling for Senokot and Senokot-S tablets doesn’t say whether you can chew, dissolve, or crush them. If your child can’t swallow pills, ask their pediatrician about alternative options.

Regular-strength Senokot dosage for children

These are the same tablets that adults can take. The children’s regular-strength Senokot dosages are as follows:

• Children ages 6 to 11 years old: Start by giving 1 tablet (8.6 mg) by mouth once a day at bedtime. Don’t give more than 2 tablets (17.2 mg) twice a day.

• Children ages 2 to 5 years old: Start by giving half of a tablet (4.3 mg) by mouth once a day at bedtime. Don’t give more than 1 tablet (8.6 mg) twice a day.

• Children under 2 years old: Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving.

Extra-strength Senokot dosage for children

These are the same tablets that adults can take. The children’s extra-strength Senokot dosages are as follows:

• Children ages 6 to 11 years old: Start by giving half a tablet (8.6 mg) by mouth once a day at bedtime. Don’t give more than 1 tablet (17.2 mg) twice a day.

• Children under 6 years old: Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving.

Senokot-S tablets dosage for children

These are the same tablets that adults can take. The children’s Senokot-S dosages are as follows:

• Children ages 6 to 11 years old: Start by giving 1 tablet by mouth once a day at bedtime. Don’t give more than 2 tablets twice a day.

• Children ages 2 to 5 years old: Start by giving half a tablet by mouth once a day at bedtime. Don’t give more than 1 tablet twice a day.

• Children under 2 years old: Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving.

Senokot kids gummies dosage for children

Senokot kids gummies are a dietary supplement. Every 2 gummies contain 17.4 mg of senna leaf powder extract. The suggested Senokot kids gummies dosages are as follows:

• Children ages 6 to 11 years old: Give 2 gummies by mouth once a day at bedtime. Don’t give more than 2 gummies per day.

• Children ages 2 to 5 years old: Give 1 gummy by mouth once a day at bedtime. Don’t give more than 1 gummy per day.

• Children under 2 years old: Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

Senokot doesn’t typically require dosage adjustments for people with certain health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease. Most people make adjustments based on how they respond to the laxative.

But Senokot may not be safe for certain people to take. It’s also best to ask a healthcare professional if it’s OK for you to take Senokot if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have a history of electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium levels. Your healthcare professional may prefer you to take a different constipation relief medication.

What happens if you miss a dose of Senokot?

Typically, you take Senokot only when you need it. So missed doses aren’t a problem for most people. But if your healthcare professional has recommended that you take Senokot on a schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Just take your next dose of Senokot at its usual time.

Don’t double up on doses to make up for missed ones. And always keep in mind the maximum daily dosage that’s listed on the OTC label.

What should you do if you take too much Senokot?

If you accidentally took an extra dose of Senokot, you’re unlikely to experience significant harm. But you may be more likely to experience side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, or stomach cramps.

Taking an excessive amount of Senokot can cause more serious side effects. These may include:

• Changes in electrolytes, such as low potassium

• Bloody stools

• Dehydration

• Collapse

If you think you have taken too much Senokot, contact a healthcare professional. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. If anything seems severe or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the ER.

How to save on Senokot

There are ways to save on Senokot, which is available OTC as a brand-name and generic medication. If your medical care team writes you a prescription for Senokot, GoodRx can help you save on the average retail price of the generic version. The price of generic Senokot is as low as $3.49 at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Kristine Foley, PharmD

Kristine Foley is a licensed pharmacist with over 13 years of community pharmacy experience. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

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