Laxatives have been used by people losing weight for centuries. Those who dream of a slim figure hope that the fats and carbohydrates they eat, without being digested, will be immediately eliminated from the body, without being stored in reserve. In reality, everything turns out to be not so simple. The kilograms do not go away, but problems with the stomach and stool begin.
To prevent this from happening, you need to know what exactly to use in such cases, and also be careful with dosages and course duration. For example, it is often suggested to take Senade for weight loss, noting its mild effect on the intestines and minimal side effects. Should you listen to such advice?
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.
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.
The principle of action of the anti-constipation remedy Senade
The main substance of the drug acting on the large intestine is senna, more precisely, an extract of its leaves, which causes gentle chemical irritation of the receptors of its mucous membrane. Because of this, its peristalsis is enhanced in a reflex manner and normal functioning is restored. As a result, after a few hours, natural bowel movement occurs. Laxative Senade, unlike other irritating laxatives, does not affect digestive function.
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.
Advantages and disadvantages of anti-constipation tablets Senade
The main and undeniable advantages that the medicine for constipation Senade has are its composition and affordable price. The drug is made from senna leaves containing unique plant anthranoid glycosides, which enhance intestinal motility. Thanks to the use of Senade, fecal masses become formed and soft, as a result of which diarrhea does not occur, but easy bowel movement occurs.
Senade is a medicine whose side effects are rare, but can include colicky abdominal pain and flatulence. If you take tablets for constipation Senade in high doses for a long time, disturbances in water-electrolyte metabolism, hematuria, albuminuria, melanin deposition in the intestinal mucosa, discoloration of urine, diarrhea, vascular collapse, nausea and vomiting, convulsions, fatigue and confusion are possible. The main sign of overdose is diarrhea, leading to dehydration. Sometimes medication for constipation in adults can change the color of urine.
Contraindications to taking Senade are spastic constipation, complete or partial intestinal obstruction, malignant tumors in the intestines, acute inflammatory diseases of the abdominal cavity, uterine and gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain of unknown origin, cystitis and disturbances of water-electrolyte metabolism.
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.
Indications for use
The laxative effect of Senade tablets occurs due to increased intestinal motility. Therefore, the scope of their use is associated with insufficient contractile activity of the elements of the gastrointestinal tract. The main indications for prescribing the drug are the following:
- constipation caused by sluggishness or insufficient intestinal motility;
- obesity;
- functional constipation;
- regulation of stool against the background of hemorrhoids, anal fissures, proctitis.
The listed disorders are usually associated with the inactive lifestyle of a modern person. Sedentary work, traveling exclusively by car - all this provokes excess weight gain and the development of habitual constipation. Gastrointestinal diseases and long-term adherence to a strict diet can contribute to the occurrence of such problems. Disruption of the bowel movement is often encountered by young children, pregnant women, and patients after surgery.
Pathologies of the rectum are usually accompanied by constipation. This violation requires quick elimination, since fecal retention can be a source of infection. At the same time, the daily need to push only worsens the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Senade acts gently and quickly, which in this case is very effective.
When wounds appear on the skin and mucous membranes, healing begins, so that it happens faster, a wound healing agent is used. Solcoseryl has shown the greatest effectiveness, but it has a high cost, so the doctor can select the most suitable analogues. Read more in the article: “solcoseryl ointment - cheap analogues.”
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.
Taking Senade for weight loss
Often people use laxatives to lose weight, thinking that they help eliminate the food they have eaten.
You should know that absorption occurs in another part of the intestine (small intestine).
Laxatives act in the thick section, where only water and various toxins remain from substances that enter the body with food, and fats, carbohydrates and proteins are absorbed much earlier.
As for Senade, this drug, according to the recommendations of nutritionists for weight loss, should be taken no more than 1-2 tablets 2 times a week.
Therefore, with long-term - more than two days in a row and frequent use of Senade, dehydration and homeostasis may be disrupted.
Pros and cons of losing weight with Senade
“FOR” taking Senade for weight loss:
- cleansing the intestines at the beginning of the weight loss process;
- Combine taking Senade with regular physical activity and diet;
- Weight loss by approximately 2-3 kilograms after a single dose;
- Use Senade 1-2 times for 7 days, not more often and after overeating;
- establishing a bowel movement rhythm.
CONS of taking Senade for weight loss:
- Daily use is not possible due to the risk of side effects;
- loss of beneficial electrolytes: calcium, chlorine, potassium, magnesium and sodium. Their deficiency can cause serious harm to the body (arrhythmia, seizures, nervous exhaustion, kidney failure).
- loss of water reserves, which can lead to symptoms of dehydration;
- taking them for more than two weeks does not lead to weight loss, but only harms the body and is addictive;
- It is undesirable to take medications on your own without taking into account existing contraindications and without the supervision of a nutritionist or gastroenterologist.
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.
Will there be weight loss with pills?
In just one day of intestinal cleansing, Senade can get rid of 1 - 2 kg of excess weight. Some people who are losing weight prefer to take the pills for 5-7 days and lose 4-6 kg. But such weight loss occurs due to the removal of feces, toxins and excess fluid from the body! All fat deposits remain unchanged, moreover, when the drug is discontinued, the lost kilograms return and most often with increased indicators.
Nutritionists say that Senade will help you lose weight only if it is used to quickly cleanse the intestines before starting the process of getting rid of extra pounds. The drug will ensure not only the removal of feces and toxins, but also accelerated digestion/breakdown of fats that come with food and are already present in deposits.
We recommend reading about the drug Orsoten for weight loss. You will learn about the effect of the drug on the body, indications and contraindications for use, effectiveness for weight loss, and analogues. And here is more information about the weight loss product Listata.
Senade may well be used as an intestinal cleanser before switching to a low-calorie diet. But this needs to be done competently - consult a nutritionist or attending physician (if you have chronic pathologies), find out the safe dosage, and follow all the recommendations of specialists. Only in this case will laxative pills be useful and really speed up and facilitate weight loss.
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.
Correct technique
In order for the use of the drug to be beneficial, it is necessary to follow the instructions prescribed by the manufacturer, and also take into account the recommendations of specialists regarding its use for the purpose of losing weight.
Instructions for use
In accordance with the attached instructions, “Senade” is taken orally with a sufficient amount of water or any soft drink. The recommended dose is 1 tablet once a day, preferably at night or 30 minutes before meals. If you need to increase the dosage, this should be done gradually:
- Take 1 tablet for 3 days;
- if emptying does not occur, you should take 1.5 tablets for another 3 days.
According to the indicated algorithm, the daily dose can be increased to 3 tablets, but no more, in order to prevent an overdose.
The duration of use of "Senade" is determined as follows:
- when taken independently – no longer than 5 days, which is usually enough to normalize stool;
- as prescribed by a doctor - no more than 14 days in a row, but with regular medical examinations.
If after 3 days of taking 3 tablets, bowel movement has not occurred, you should consult a specialist.
How to take for weight loss
To cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and prevent constipation, it is recommended to take Senade according to a slightly different scheme:
- if you follow a strict diet with limited food volume - 2 tablets a day, twice a week;
- for emergency weight loss by removing all the contents of the intestines - 2 tablets two days in a row.
Long-term use of laxatives for weight loss can result in dehydration, loss of electrolytes and, as a result, severe metabolic disorders. In this case, fat deposits will remain unchanged, since the effect of the drug is not aimed at their breakdown and removal.
By cleansing the gastrointestinal tract and removing a large amount of fluid from the body, Senade will ensure a weight loss of 2–3 kg. But further loss of water and microelements, which are extremely important for the normal functioning of biological processes, can negatively affect health.
In order for the use of “Senade” for weight loss to be as effective as possible, its use should be combined with a low-calorie but balanced diet, making up a menu of the following products:
- lean meat, fish;
- low-fat fermented milk products;
- raw vegetables, salads and soups made from them;
- unsweetened fruits.
Also, during the period of losing weight with the help of this laxative, it is necessary to drink large amounts of clean water. This will provide better cleansing and prevent dehydration.
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.