Are Senokot promoting Laxative Abuse?
Sunday, December 27, 2009 | Posted by Admin | 6 CommentsOver the Christmas period, the large meals and partying take their toll on our bodies. It’s not surprising to see an increase in adverts for heartburn remedies, all kinds of products that reduce ‘bloating,’ and laxatives.
The notion that we need a pharmacy in our handbags is alarming enough, but one advert in particular is very worrying: Senokot.
Feel Happy InsideThe advert in question shows a young woman who is concerned about fitting into a dress for a movie premiere. She takes a Senokot Dual Relief tablet and, the following day, she happily shows off her figure-hugging dress.
Usually, Senokot are careful to promote their products as a cure for constipation. But we didn’t feel that this advert was so clear: some people are misinterpreting it, and taking Senokot to avoid becoming constipated the following day. The confusion arises from talking about “feeling unhappy inside” rather than clearly specifying that the lady is already suffering from constipation.
It’s not the first time it’s happened. One of the old Senokot adverts featured a businesswoman who took Senokot the day before a job interview, so that she could avoid being constipated on the day of the interview.
The pharmaceutical industry have come under criticism before for ”disease mongering” – effectively convincing people that they are (or will become) sick, so that they can sell more remedies [British Medical Journal: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/324/7342/886]
Now, stress can be a contributing factor to developing constipation. But it is usually considered unsafe to take laxatives if you are not already constipated. Taking laxatives in order to fit into a dress comes perilously close to laxative abuse. And that’s perilously close to Bulemia.
Seonokot is advertised as a healthy, natural product, with the active ingredients Senna (a herb) and, in some of the tablets, Fennel (another old herbal remedy to reduce bloating). So what’s the problem? Here’s the ingredients for Senokot Dual Relief
Senokot Dual Relief Contains:
Senna leaves tinnevelly BP 100mg
Aloes (cape) BP 45mg
Cascara bark BP 30mg
Dandelion root 30mg
Fennel seed 15mg
Other Ingredients: dicalcium phosphate, sucrose, talc, magnesium stearate and sodium starch glycollate.
http://www.boots.com/en/Senokot-Dual-Relief-20-Tablets_40030/
Note that the Senna, Aloes and Cascara Bark all have the acronym ‘BP’ after them. This stands for ‘British Pharmacopoeia’ which is an official list of substances used in medicines and indicates the purity of the ingredient. Aloes are another herbal laxative, and Dandelion Root is often used to remedy fluid retention. Cascara Bark is a herbal laxative also used for detoxifying. The other ingedients seem to be fairly standard bulking and binding agents – we’ll discuss just how healthy sucrose and talc are in another article.
Well, most drugs are herbal in origin. Being a herb does not mean that something is healthy or good for you!
The recommended dosage of senna, which is generally taken at bedtime, ranges from 0.6-2.0 g a day. No matter which form or preparation of senna is chosen, using the lowest effective dosage helps to avoid side effects. It should not be taken for longer than one or two weeks.
The side effects of senna include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and gas, which can be severe if the herb is used longer than recommended or in large amounts. The effects of senna can be immediate, sometimes too fast or intense. These problems may be avoided by reducing the dosage and adding other herbs. More serious effects include fainting, dehydration, and such electrolyte disorders as low blood potassium, albuminuria, and hematuria. http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Senna–Encyclopedia-of-Alternative-Medicine
Stimulent laxatives must not be used if the bowel is obstructed or at risk of rupturing, and are not recommended for serious constipation. http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/Canada/HealthInformation/Encyclopedias/CascaraBark.htm
altmd.com also clearly states that senna is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant or breast-feeding women, or people with a range of medical conditions. Always read the label.
If you genuinely suffer from constipation, these kinds of over-the-counter remedies can provide some much-needed relief. You could just buy some senna or cascara bark, and make yourself some tea.
It’s interesting to note that ”bulk-forming laxatives” (including ispaghula husk, methylcellulose, and sterculia) are usually the first to be prescribed by a doctor, and “stimulant laxatives” (like senna) are prescribed when other kinds do not work. It is also recommended to make changes to your diet, like eating a high-fiber diet, drinking six to eight glasses of water a day, and getting plenty of regular exercise, so that you don’t suffer again. If you continue to suffer constipation, see your GP to check that there’s not some other root cause. [http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Constipation/Pages/Introduction.aspx]
As for taking senna to fit into a dress? Well, judge for yourself if you think it’s worth it. If you’re really worried about suddenly developing constipation, there’s always the prune juice!
Tags: bloating, bulemia, cleanse, constipation, herb, laxative, senna, senokot
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