PURSENNID ® Sennosidi

PURSENNID ® is a drug based on sennosides.

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Laxative - Contact laxative (stimulant).

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications PURSENNID ® Sennosidi

PURSENNID ® is indicated for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation

Mechanism of action PURSENNID ® Sennosides

Sennosides A and B, present in PURSENNID ® are anthraquinone glucosides naturally extracted from a plant belonging to the Cesalpiniaceae, known as Senna.

Introduced by food, they go beyond the gastric barrier, reaching the small intestine where they are only minimally absorbed as they are.

In fact, first enzymes such as glycosidases and then the reductases of the bacterial flora of the large intestine, transform the various derivatives into Dina A and Sennosina A and Sennosina B.

These last two principles can be absorbed systemically, and directed to the liver, where following glucuronation, they are eliminated mainly through the urine.

The laxative action, which occurs over a period of time generally longer than ten hours, is mediated by the stimulating effect that the sennosides are able to exert at the level of the intestinal mucosa, with particular tropism towards the myenteric plexus, responsible for the regulation of peristaltic contractions of the intestinal tract.

The increase in propulsive motility of the intestinal tract, and the maintenance of stool hydration, makes the evacuation action easier.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

1. SENNOSIDES, NOT JUST LATEST

More and more new emerging studies are focusing their attention on some effects of sennosides, alternative to laxatives. An example is provided by this work, which observed the antiproliferative capacity of sennoside on tumor cells in vitro. These data could open the doors to new therapeutic applications.

2. CHRONIC USE OF SENNOSIDES: SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS

Chronic and prolonged use of sennosides is strongly discouraged, both due to short-term effects and to certain long-term risks. This experimental study, poorly supported by the low number of samples, shows how the prolonged use of these active ingredients can be associated with histological alterations of the intestinal mucosa, thus increasing the risk of colorectal carcinoma.

3. THE USE OF SENNOSIDES IN ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS

The use of opioids, in terminally ill patients or those suffering from neoplastic diseases, makes the evacuation act particularly complicated, which is therefore accompanied by an evident worsening of the quality of life. The use of sennosides in these patients has proved to be particularly useful both in increasing the frequency of evacuator acts and in reducing abdominal pain and cramps associated with this condition.

Method of use and dosage

PURSENNID ® 12 mg sennoside coated tablets :

the recommended dose in the treatment of occasional constipation episodes is 2-4 coated tablets per day, which should be halved for children aged between 10 and 12 years.

The therapeutic protocol should however always start from the minimum dosages, and possibly keep as a reference, the one able to guarantee an appreciable effect.

In order for the laxative effect to take place in the morning, it would be preferable to take the tablets in the evening with an adequate amount of water, considering that a diet rich in water optimizes the results.

If the therapeutic effect does not manifest itself, it would be useful to contact your doctor, without prolonging the therapy for periods longer than 7 days.

Warnings PURSENNID ® Sennosidi

To optimize the therapeutic efficacy of laxatives, it would be useful to combine healthy eating with therapy, better if it is rich in liquids.

Prolonged use of sennosides, which does not fall entirely within the therapeutic indications, could be associated with a reduction in the therapeutic efficacy of the drug, loss of normal intestinal functions, constipation, prolonged diarrhea with dehydration and hypokalemia.

It is therefore good to remember that the use of PURSENNID ® is justified in the short-term treatment of occasional episodes of constipation, while chronic and prolonged constipation should be diagnosed and treated by your doctor without resorting to the dangerous abuse of this medicine .

Sennosides do not interfere with the ability to drive vehicles or use machinery.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

At the moment, the absence of clinical trials related to the use of sennosides in pregnancy does not allow us to characterize the safety profile of PURSENNID ®

For this reason, the intake during pregnancy or lactation should only be carried out in case of real need and under strict medical supervision.

Interactions

PURSENNID ® is able to carry out its laxative effect, even accelerating intestinal transit and thus interfering with the normal pharmacokinetic profile of various active ingredients.

In light of these data, it would be convenient to take a certain drug at least two hours before taking the laxative.

Potassium depletion, which could occur following prolonged laxative use, may enhance the functionality of some drugs, including digitalis.

Contraindications PURSENNID ® Sennosidi

PURSENNID ® is contraindicated in pediatric patients under the age of 10, in cases of proven hypersensitivity to one of its components and in patients suffering from gastro-intestinal diseases both acute and chronic, obstruction or intestinal stenosis, dehydration and alteration of electrolyte balance.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

Although PURSENNID ® proved to be well tolerated it was possible to detect, especially in patients suffering from severe constipation, the appearance of cramp-like abdominal pains accompanied by abdominal colic.

Prolonged use of laxatives, could instead lead to a gradual reduction in the effectiveness of the drug, accompanied by intestinal atony and constipation, possibly preceded by diarrhea, dehydration and hypokalemia.

The presence of pigments of the senna, could determine the appearance of yellow-brown or intensely colored urine, without any important clinical correlation.