Senade for weight loss: what you need to know about dosages and possible consequences

Can I take Senade for weight loss?
Senade: instructions for use for weight loss, indications and contraindications, dosage regimen
How effective and safe is Senade for weight loss: reviews from doctors and those losing weight, results

Among the huge number of weight loss products, laxatives are quite popular.
Senade is especially in demand among those losing weight: instructions for using this drug for weight loss are successfully distributed on the Internet, despite the fact that it was initially recommended for the treatment of constipation.

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Short description

Trade name: Senade. In Latin: Senade.

ATC code: A06AB06 - laxatives based on senna glycosides, which have an effect on the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism.

Main active ingredient: sennosides A and B.

Chemical formula: C42H28O20.

Structural formula:

Release form: brown or dark brown tablets with chaotic dark inclusions, round, flat, with beveled edges. On one side is the word “CIPLA” imprinted. On the other - risk. One tablet contains 13.5 mg of the main active ingredient.

Packing:

cardboard pack with 2 blisters of 20 tablets (total 40 pcs.);
cardboard pack with 3 blisters of 20 tablets (60 pcs.);
cardboard packaging with 25 blisters of 20 tablets (500 pcs.)

Manufacturer: Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla ltd (Cipla Ltd).

Main purpose: laxative.

Method of administration: orally.

Absorbed through the intestinal mucosa in small quantities (only 5%). Once in the colon, sennosides are hydrolyzed into free anthraquinones under the influence of gastric enzymes. Most of it is excreted in feces, the smaller part is excreted in urine through the kidneys.

How long does it take to act: depending on the individual characteristics of the body, after about 8 hours. Maximum - after 10.

Overdose

Overdose is characterized by frequent bowel movements, known as diarrhea, which can cause severe dehydration. Melanin begins to be deposited in the intestinal mucosa. May cause ulcers, gastritis, and noticeable intestinal irritation. Therefore, those who drink this medicine need to drink at least 3 liters of water per day. In severe cases, treatment in the department may be necessary. Therefore, at the first sign of diarrhea or dehydration, you should immediately seek medical help.

Compound

The main active ingredient is calcium salts of sennosides A and B, which are obtained from the extract of Alexandrian senna leaves (African cassia, Cassia acufolia, Egyptian senna). Quantitative content - 13.5 mg.

The composition also includes excipients:

starch - 43.56 mg;
MCC - 15 mg;
lactose - 23.07 mg;
methyl parahydroxybenzonate (preservative E218) - 0.04 mg;
magnesium stearate (Magnesium Stearate) as a binding and structure-forming substance - 0.93 mg;
carboxymethylcellulose (thickener E468) - 2 mg;
talc - 11.13 mg;
sodium lauryl sulfate (surfactant) - 0.93 mg.

Auxiliary ingredients do not have a significant effect on the digestive tract and other organs, as they are contained in minimal quantities.

Action

The laxative effect of Senade is explained simply (diagram):

Sennosides enter the large intestine → They begin to strongly influence sensitive mechanoreceptors in the mucous membrane → They increase peristalsis (the strength, amplitude and duration of movements of the intestinal walls) → Fecal masses begin to move → The intestine tends to push them out faster due to increasing contractions of the muscle structure → A person develops irresistible desire to defecate → Defecation

The consistency of stool does not change. They come out as a normally designed, ordinary chair. The digestion process is not affected. The absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract and their absorption into the blood occurs unhindered, that is, they are not excreted from the body. Therefore, the drug is considered gentle.

Increased peristalsis pushes out not only feces, but also everything that accumulates on the intestinal walls. So the drug also has a cleansing effect.

Knowing how Senade works, its laxative properties can be used for weight loss.

Let's debunk myths. There is no need to delude yourself that Senade also has diuretic properties. Exclusively laxatives - and nothing more. There is no effect on the level of water-salt balance, excess fluid is not removed from the tissues, swelling will not go away after taking it.

Interaction with other drugs and alcohol

When taking Senade with antiarrhythmic drugs (Verapamil, Digoxin, Strophanthin, Egilok, Concor, Betaloc ZOK, Carvedilol, Anaprilin), monitoring of electrocardiographic parameters is necessary due to a possible decrease in the level of potassium in the blood and, as a result, an increase in the effect of antiarrhythmics.
People taking long-acting medications should be aware of a decrease in this property when taken together with Senade.

Senade prolongs the effect of thiazide diuretics and glucocorticosteroids, which requires monitoring blood potassium levels and electrocardiographic parameters.

During treatment with Senade, alcoholic beverages should be avoided due to increased dehydration in the case of long-term treatment of constipation.

The absorption of tetracyclines is slowed down when taken together with Senade.

Indications

When deciding to lose weight in such an unusual way, you should know what it helps with and in what situations the drug is prescribed.

Official indications for use of Senade, prescribed in the instructions:

stool disorders, in particular constipation;
weak peristalsis and hypotension of the colon;
heaviness in the stomach;
haemorrhoids;
proctitis (inflammation of the rectum or sigmoid colon), paraproctitis (chronic form);
anal fissures of various origins;
preparation for ultrasound, x-ray or endoscopic examination of the abdominal organs, which require gastric emptying.

The drug is not effective for all constipation. It is prescribed only in cases where difficulties with stool are caused by the following factors (in addition to sluggish peristalsis):

sedentary work;
low physical activity (or lack thereof);
stressful situation;
lack of fluid;
climate change;
poor nutrition (the predominance of foods that cause constipation in the menu: baked goods, rice, pasta, potatoes);
excess weight

Knowing what the drug is for, it is easier to decide whether it is right for you or not.

Analogues of the drug

Modern pharmaceuticals offer analogues and synonyms of the drug Senade to combat extra pounds. Analogs include products that loosen stools by activating peristalsis, but the active ingredients are chemicals different from Senade. Synonyms are weight loss drugs that are produced on the basis of the same main ingredients as Senade.

Analogues of Senada include:

Guttalax
Slabikal

Fiberlex
Picosulfate

Bisacodyl
Laxigal

Synonyms for diet pills Senade are:

Ex-Lax.
Glaxenna.
Senna extract.

Senadexin.
Tisasen.

Antrasennin.
Pursennyd.

Benefits for weight loss

The medicine is often used for weight loss. How justified is this? There is only one recommendation for prescription related to extra pounds - constipation caused by physical inactivity and excess body weight. If there is no such problem, it is not advisable to take the drug for weight loss.

Although Senade has a certain effect as a means of losing weight due to:

removing accumulated feces from the colon;
cleansing the body of the rest of the garbage present there.

What you shouldn’t count on when taking Senade for weight loss:

the drug does not speed up or improve digestion;
does not interfere with the absorption of food (all carbohydrates and fats eaten will be digested according to the general scheme, enter the blood, increase sugar, and be deposited on the sides), and will not be immediately excreted unprocessed;
does not trigger lipolysis, does not accelerate fat burning;
does not remove excess fluid and does not relieve swelling.

How to benefit from pills for weight loss:

take to cleanse the intestines 1-2 days before the diet;
further - drink no more than 2 times a week;
use after unplanned overeating (after a buffet table, a holiday);
Limit your daily caloric intake and go in for sports.

When losing weight, you should learn that you cannot take Senade on a regular basis, every day. This will cause unpleasant side effects, addiction and cause irreparable harm to the body. Self-administration is highly undesirable if there are no recommendations from a nutritionist or gastroenterologist.

Instructions for use

For adults and adolescents over 12 years of age, you should start drinking Senade with 1 tablet before bedtime or 30 minutes before eating, be sure to drink at least 1/2 glass of liquid.
Take daily for three days.

If bowel movement does not occur within three days of using Senade , you should add half a tablet for three days as well.

According to this scheme, in the absence of stool, you can increase the dose of Senade to three tablets per day at one time, but no more.

If constipation persists after taking the maximum dose, it is recommended to consult a doctor for examination. It is not recommended to take Senade for two weeks in a row or more due to possible adverse reactions.

Reception during pregnancy and lactation, in children

Due to the spastic contraction of the intestinal wall under the influence of Senade, its use is undesirable for the movement of feces during pregnancy.

Due to increased pressure in the abdominal cavity and active movements of the intestinal wall, this can lead to miscarriage or premature termination of pregnancy.

If, nevertheless, you are prescribed Senade, then the tablet should be taken with plenty of liquid to soften the stool, so that you have to push less.

In this case, the duration of constipation should not last more than 2 days. During the lactation period, it is necessary to abstain from Senade due to the fact that anthraquinone is excreted in mother's milk and can cause profuse diarrhea in infants.

From the age of six, Senade is allowed. The initial dose is ½ tablet, preferably in the evening before going to bed with a glass of water. If there is no effect within 24 hours, you can add another half dose at night.

The maximum permissible dosage is two tablets per day. If there is no laxative result at this dose, you should contact your pediatrician. For children over the age of twelve, the prescription regimen for Senade corresponds to the instructions for adults.

It is not recommended to take under 6 years of age.

Admission in old age

In older patients, the primary cause of constipation is often functional disorders due to low physical activity, insufficient fluid and fiber intake. The tone of the intestinal wall decreases and it becomes atonic.

As a result, to solve this problem, Senade becomes the drug of choice, as it enhances contractions and restores the tone of the smooth muscle component of the intestine.

Considering that Senade is practically not absorbed into the blood, no dose adjustment is required in elderly people.

Taking Senade for impaired renal and liver function

In this category of patients, when taking Senade, due to the risk of developing electrolyte-water disturbances, it is necessary to be careful and monitor the levels of potassium, creatinine, urea, sodium, ALT, AST in the blood.

Contraindications

Hay glycosides are quite powerful active substances that, under certain conditions, can cause harm to the body. Therefore, the list of diseases and conditions for which it cannot be taken is quite impressive. Official absolute contraindications prescribed in the instructions:

strangulated hernia;
peritonitis, any other inflammation in the abdominal cavity (nonspecific ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, granulomatous enteritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis);
intestinal obstruction (obstruction);
inflammation of the bladder and ureters;
spastic constipation due to high rectal tone;
water-electrolyte imbalance;
acute abdominal syndrome - pain of unknown origin in the epigastric region;
internal bleeding: uterine, gastrointestinal;
age up to 6 years;
individual intolerance to components (most often lactose).

Experts warn that the list of contraindications specified in the instructions should be expanded and supplemented with oncological diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the presence of mechanical obstacles to the movement of contents in the intestines and fever.

Separately prescribed cases require careful use of the drug, the so-called relative contraindications:

kidney diseases;
failure of the liver;
rehabilitation period after abdominal surgery;
pregnancy;
lactation.

In all these cases, mandatory permission from a specialist to take the drug and constant medical supervision are required. It is prohibited to take Senade if you have these diseases and conditions.

Menstruation and age after 60 years are also not the best periods for taking laxatives, especially for weight loss. Despite the fact that they are not indicated in the instructions, it is better for women not to ignore them.

Side effects

When planning to lose weight, it is worth keeping in mind the side effects of Senade. They can significantly complicate life, causing many unpleasant moments.

The instructions warn that side effects are possible from various systems and organs.

Gastrointestinal tract:

flatulence, bloating;
colic;
discomfort, pain in the epigastric region;
gagging;
atony of the colon;
nausea;
loose, frequent stools;
melanosis of the colon;
indigestion.

Urinary system:

colorless urine;
presence of blood in the urine;
protein in the urine due to kidney dysfunction.

CNS:

convulsions;
asthenia, increased fatigue, decreased performance, chronic fatigue syndrome;
confusion.

SSS:

heart failure due to cardiovascular collapse;
decreased blood pressure;
tachycardia.

And:

water-electrolyte imbalance;
allergic reactions in the form of skin rash;
osteomalacia;
dehydration.

Side effects most often occur due to long-term use of the drug - for several days, as well as due to an increase in the recommended dose. This happens especially often when losing weight. On the first day of use, it is possible to immediately reduce weight by 1-1.5 kg. This result is pleasing, and it seems that tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be the same. But the intestines are cleared of everything unnecessary at one time, and in the following days nothing happens except a malfunction of many systems and organs.

Overdose

Uncontrolled use of Senade leads to uncontrolled diarrhea, which causes dehydration. Accompanying symptoms:

dizziness;
nausea;
gagging;
weakness, drowsiness, complete loss of strength;
muscle cramps;
pressure drop to critical levels;
fainting.

If you suspect an overdose, you need to lie down and drink as much fluid as possible to restore your water and electrolyte balance. The ideal option is mineral water. If conservative measures are ineffective, if the condition worsens, an ambulance is called for intravenous infusion of plasma substitutes.

As practice shows, an overdose of Senade is most often the fate of those who use the medicine on their own, without prescriptions or recommendations from a doctor, for the purpose of losing weight.

Useful video

For information about laxatives and side effects with long-term use, watch this video:

How to use

For medical reasons

The instructions for use will tell you in detail how to take Senade, according to medical indications:

method of administration: oral;
drink in the evening, just before bed, so that the drug cleanses the intestines overnight and gets rid of everything unnecessary in the morning;
duration of action - from 8 to 10 hours;
1 time per day;
You can drink it not only with water, but also with any other drink, the volume is at least ½ glass;
dosage - 1 tablet per day, can be increased to 2-3 pieces. in the absence of effect.

If the use of Senade in maximum dosages (for 3 days, 3 tablets per day) turns out to be ineffective, you should consult a physician or gastroenterologist.

For weight loss

For weight loss, taking Senade will differ from the main instructions for medical reasons.

Day 1

2 days before the diet, take the drug in the evening before bed. If you have problems with stool or the last cleansing of the body was carried out more than six months ago, take 2 tablets (if there are no contraindications). If there is no constipation and the detoxification procedure is carried out regularly, 1 tablet is enough. Drink a glass of kefir. After this, eat nothing and go to bed.

Day 2

The next day, in the morning, have a bowel movement according to your urges. Arrange a fasting day: on kefir, buckwheat, juices, water.

Day 3

In the morning, do a cleansing enema and start a diet combined with exercise.

Days 4 and 5

No cleansing procedures. It is advisable to include healthy fiber in the diet for normal intestinal functioning (for example, bran).

Day 6

Before going to bed, take Senade according to the same conditions as the first time. But the next day it is no longer necessary to arrange a fasting day (optional). You can just continue to follow the diet.

The laxative should be taken at this frequency throughout the entire weight loss process. If you get the impression that it is not working (there is no particular desire to have a bowel movement in the morning, there is too little stool), you can cautiously increase the dosage to 3 tablets, carefully monitoring your well-being.

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to take Senade several times a day or several days in a row. This is fraught with serious health complications.

How effective and safe is Senade for weight loss: reviews from doctors and those losing weight, results

In most cases, doctors recommend taking Senade when without this drug it is impossible to get rid of constipation, due to which the body is often polluted and excess weight appears. This method is also good because it allows you to remove several kilograms in a couple of days. In general, the results of losing weight with the help of Senade are positive:

In 3-4 days up to 3 kg of weight is lost;
Improves intestinal function and human well-being;
Constipation goes away.

Additional recommendations

For weight loss

In order for Senade to contribute to rapid weight loss, it is necessary to create certain conditions for this.

Limit your daily calorie intake.
Play sports, increase physical activity.
Drink at least 2 liters of water per day. Give 2 glasses of this volume for mineral water.
Eat fiber. Bran will be especially useful.
Before going to bed, regardless of whether you take pills that day or skip a dose, drink a glass of low-fat kefir to normalize the intestinal microflora.
It is not recommended to take weight loss medications containing senna at the same time as Senade.
If a breakdown occurs (you ate too much at night and were forced to go on a holiday), take the drug the next day in the evening and arrange an unscheduled fasting on kefir or buckwheat.
Monitor any changes in your health.

It is important to know and remember how long it takes for Senade to take effect. If you take it in the morning and then in the late afternoon, you may get a stomach ache at any time, since the interval is 8-10 hours. It’s good if this day is a day off and you don’t need to go anywhere. Then you can take the pill after waking up. It is completely inadvisable to use it in the afternoon - a sleepless night is guaranteed.

special instructions

Not compatible with:

cardiac glycosides;
antiarrhythmic drugs;
glucocorticoids;
thiazide diuretics;
licorice.

Concomitant use with these drugs may lead to hypokalemia or hypoeplyemia.

Sold in pharmacies, available without a prescription.

Stored in a place away from humidity and sunlight, at a temperature not exceeding 30 °C, for no more than 3 years.

Do not be alarmed if your urine turns red-purple or yellow-brown - this is a normal reaction to sennosides.

After the first victories

When the first results appear on the scales, you can engage in more sports and even switch to a healthy diet. But there is a dangerous point here: almost everyone who loses weight sets the desired level for themselves - a weight that seems ideal, but is too good to get close to. But the body itself decides what weight is ideal for it, and sooner or later it stops the process of losing weight, conserving at one weight. Then almost all people, having read about the so-called weight plateau, try in every possible way to overcome this stage. Diuretic tablets and Senade for weight loss are often used.