An Introduction to Senna Dosages
There are no clearly established dosage recommendations for most natural products and herbal remedies. However, because
senna (in the form of sennosides) is an approved over-the-counter medication, there are clear guidelines for senna dosing for
constipation treatment. The dose varies, depending on your age.
For treating
constipation in individuals age 12 years and older, the standard recommended dose of senna is approximately 15 mg sennosides once daily (the exact dosage may vary slightly depending on the particular product). The maximum dosage for this age group is approximately 70 to 100 mg total per day (divided up into two smaller doses per day).
For children 6 to 12 years old, the standard recommended dosage is approximately 8.6 mg sennosides once daily (the exact dosage may vary slightly depending on the particular product). The maximum dosage for this age group is 50 mg per day (divided into two smaller doses per day).
For children two to six years old, the standard recommended dose is 3.75 mg sennosides once daily (the exact dosage may vary slightly depending on the particular product). The maximum dosage for this age group is 15 mg total per day (divided into two smaller doses per day).
When preparing the bowel for a
colonoscopy, the usual dose of senna is 130 mg sennosides taken between 2 and 4 p.m. the afternoon of the day prior to the procedure.
