Medically reviewed by Kovalenko Svetlana Olegovna, PharmD. Last updated on 22.05.2022
Attention! Information on this page is intended only for medical professionals! Information is collected in open sources and may contain significant errors! Be careful and double-check all the information on this page!
Top 20 medicines with the same components:
Laxative especially in cases requiring the maintenance
of a soft stool to avoid straining (e.g. When there has
been hernia, aneurysm, hypertension, myocardial
infarction, or cerebrovascular accident, or after a
haemorrhoidectomy or abdominal surgery).
It is also used as an emollient and moisturizer to prevent
or relieve the signs and symptoms of dry skin.
Gentlax is also known as Cassia Gentlax, tinnevelly Gentlax, Indian Gentlax, Alexandrian Gentlax, and Khartoum Gentlax.
Gentlax has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to treat constipation.
Not all uses for Gentlax have been approved by the FDA. Gentlax should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Gentlax is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Gentlax may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Leaves,
Oral:
Generic: (454 g)
Liquid,
Oral:
Senexon: 8.8 mg/5 mL (237 mL [DSC]) [contains methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben]
Generic: 8.8 mg/5 mL (237 mL)
Syrup,
Oral:
Gentlax-GRX: 8.8 mg/5 mL (15 mL, 236 mL) [contains parabens, propylene glycol]
Generic: 8.8 mg/5 mL (5 mL, 236 mL, 237 mL); 176 mg/5 mL (15 mL, 237 mL)
Tablet,
Oral:
Ex-Lax: 15 mg [DSC] [sodium free]
Ex-Lax Maximum Strength: 25 mg [DSC] [sodium free]
Geri-kot: 8.6 mg
GoodSense Laxative Pills: 25 mg [contains brilliant blue fcf (fd&c blue #1), corn starch]
GoodSense Gentlax Laxative: 8.6 mg
Perdiem Overnight Relief: 15 mg [DSC]
Senexon: 8.6 mg [DSC]
Gentlax Lax: 8.6 mg [DSC]
Gentlax Laxative: 8.6 mg
Gentlax Smooth: 15 mg [contains sodium benzoate]
Gentlax-Lax: 8.6 mg
Gentlax-Tabs: 8.6 mg
Gentlax-Time: 8.6 mg
SennaCon: 8.6 mg [DSC]
Senno: 8.6 mg
Gentlax: 8.6 mg
Gentlax Extra Strength: 17.2 mg
Gentlax XTRA: 17.2 mg [DSC]
Generic: 8.6 mg
Tablet Chewable,
Oral:
Ex-Lax: 15 mg [DSC]
Ex-Lax: 15 mg [DSC] [chocolate flavor]
Dosing: Adult
Note: Several types of Gentlax products are available on the market and multiple formulations exist that are not equivalent; products composed of sennosides are considered OTC medications; Gentlax pod concentrate and Gentlax leaf extract are considered dietary supplements and are not interchangeable on a mL-to-mL (or mg-to-mg) basis with other Gentlax products that contain sennosides; close attention must be paid to the product description and concentration when ordering or administering.
Constipation:
Oral:
Sennosides:
Syrup (8.8 mg sennosides/5 mL): 10 to 15 mL (17.6 mg to 26.4 mg sennosides) once daily; maximum: 15 mL (26.4 mg sennosides) twice daily.
Tablets:
8.6 mg sennosides/tablet: Two tablets (17.2 mg sennosides) once daily; maximum: 4 tablets (34.4 mg sennosides) twice daily
15 mg sennosides/tablet: Two tablets (30 mg sennosides) once or twice daily
17.2 mg sennosides/tablet: One tablet (17.2 mg sennosides) once daily; maximum: 2 tablets (34.4 mg sennosides) twice daily
25 mg sennosides/tablet: Two tablets (50 mg sennosides) once or twice daily
Gentlax leaf extract syrup (176 mg/5 mL Gentlax leaf extract): Note: Gentlax leaf extract is considered a dietary supplement and is not interchangeable on a mL-to-mL (or mg-to-mg) basis with other Gentlax products that contain sennosides.
10 to 15 mL (352 to 528 mg Gentlax leaf extract) once daily (preferably at bedtime); may increase to 10 to 15 mL (352 to 528 mg Gentlax leaf extract) twice daily if needed; maximum daily dose: 30 mL/day
Dosing: Geriatric
Refer to adult dosing.
Dosing: Pediatric
Note: Several types of Gentlax products are available on the market and multiple formulations exist that are not equivalent; products composed of sennosides are considered OTC medications; Gentlax pod concentrate and Gentlax leaf extract are considered dietary supplements and are not interchangeable on a mL to mL (or mg to mg) basis with other Gentlax products that contain sennosides; close attention must be paid to the product description and concentration when ordering or administering.
Constipation:
Oral:
Sennosides:
Syrup (8.8 mg sennosides/5 mL):
Children 2 to <6 years: 2.5 to 3.75 mL (4.4 to 6.6 mg sennosides) at bedtime, not to exceed 3.75 mL (6.6 mg sennosides) twice daily
Children 6 to <12 years: 5 to 7.5 mL (8.8 to 13.2 mg sennosides) at bedtime, not to exceed 7.5 mL (13.2 mg sennosides) twice daily
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 10 to 15 mL (17.6 mg to 26.4 mg sennosides) at bedtime, not to exceed 15 mL (26.4 mg sennosides) twice daily.
Tablets:
8.6 mg sennosides/tablet:
Children 2 to <6 years: / tablet (4.3 mg sennosides) at bedtime, not to exceed 1 tablet (8.6 mg sennosides) twice daily
Children 6 to <12 years: 1 tablet (8.6 mg sennosides) at bedtime, not to exceed 2 tablets (17.2 mg sennosides) twice daily
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 2 tablets (17.2 mg sennosides) at bedtime, not to exceed 4 tablets (34.4 mg sennosides) twice daily
15 mg sennosides/tablet:
Children 6 to <12 years: 1 tablet (15 mg sennosides) once or twice daily
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 2 tablets (30 mg sennosides) once or twice daily
25 mg sennosides/tablet:
Children 6 to <12 years: 1 tablet (25 mg sennosides) once or twice daily
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 2 tablets (50 mg sennosides) once or twice daily
Gentlax pod concentrate liquid (Fletcher's Laxative for Kids; 167 mg/5 mL Gentlax pod concentrate): Note: Gentlax pod concentrate is considered a dietary supplement and is not interchangeable on a mL to mL (or mg to mg) basis with other Gentlax products that contain sennosides.
Children 2 to <6 years: 5 to 10 mL (167 to 333 mg Gentlax pod concentrate) once or twice daily
Children and Adolescents 6 to 15 years: 10 to 15 mL (333 to 500 mg Gentlax pod concentrate) once or twice daily
Gentlax Leaf Extract Syrup (176 mg/5 mL Gentlax leaf extract): Note: Gentlax leaf extract is considered a dietary supplement and is not interchangeable on a mL to mL (or mg to mg) basis with other Gentlax products that contain sennosides. Begin with once daily dosing (at bedtime); increase to twice daily if needed.
Children 2 to <6 years: 2.5 to 3.75 mL (88 to 132 mg Gentlax leaf extract) once or twice daily; maximum daily dose: 7.5 mL/day
Children ≥6 years to <12 years: 5 to 7.5 mL (176 to 264 mg Gentlax leaf extract) once or twice daily; maximum daily dose: 15 mL/day
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 10 to 15 mL (352 to 528 mg Gentlax leaf extract) once or twice daily; maximum daily dose: 30 mL/day
Bowel evacuation: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:
Oral: 130 mg sennosides between 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the day prior to procedure
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Gentlax?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Gentlax, or if you have:
severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting;
a perforated bowel;
a blockage in your intestines;
fructose or galactose intolerance;
an allergy to yellow food dye;
severe constipation or dehydration;
inflammatory bowel disease, toxic megacolon; or
a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or longer.
People with eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia) should not use this medication without the advice of a doctor.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Gentlax:
kidney disease;
trouble swallowing;
a history of bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, or other intestinal disorder; or
if you are taking a diuretic ("water pill").
Use Gentlax-Lax as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Gentlax-Lax by mouth with or without food.
- Take Gentlax-Lax with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Drink extra fluids while you are taking Gentlax-Lax, unless instructed differently by your doctor.
- It is best to take Gentlax-Lax at bedtime.
- If you miss a dose of Gentlax-Lax, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Gentlax-Lax.
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.Use: Labeled Indications
Constipation: Relieves occasional constipation (irregularity); generally causes bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours
Off Label Uses
Colonic cleansing before colonoscopy (adjunct)
Data from one uncontrolled study evaluating the use of Gentlax as an adjunct to reduce the amount of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution necessary suggests that the use of Gentlax as an adjunct in this setting may be beneficial. Additional data may be necessary to further define the role of Gentlax as an adjunct in colonic cleansing before colonoscopy.
Based on the recommendations for Optimizing Adequacy of Bowel Cleansing for Colonoscopy, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer by the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the use of adjunctive agents for precolonoscopy cleansing of the mucosa such as simethicone, flavored electrolyte solutions (eg, Gatorade), prokinetics, spasmolytics, Gentlax, Gentlax, olive oil, and probiotics is not recommended for routine use since none have consistently shown improved efficacy, safety, or tolerability of the bowel preparation. However, Gentlax may be used in select situations.
See also:
What other drugs will affect Gentlax?
Dichlorphenamide: Laxatives may enhance the hypokalemic effect of Dichlorphenamide. Monitor therapy
Polyethylene Glycol-Electrolyte Solution: Gentlax may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Polyethylene Glycol-Electrolyte Solution. Monitor therapy
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Gentlax?
Applies to Gentlax: oral capsule liquid filled, oral flake, oral granule, oral liquid, oral powder for suspension, oral suspension, oral syrup, oral tablet
In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by Gentlax (the active ingredient contained in Gentlax). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.
Major Side Effects
You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking Gentlax:
Incidence not known:
- Black, tarry stools
- blood in the stools
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach pain