Psyllium

Psyllium Brand Names

Fiber Therapy | GenFiber | Geri-Mucil | Hydrocil | Konsyl | Metamucil | Metamucil MultiHealth | Mucilin | Natural Fiber Laxative | Natural Fiber Therapy | Reguloid

What is Psyllium

Psyllium is a polysaccharide bulk-forming fiber obtained from the seeds of Plantago psyllium.

Bulk-forming fiber laxatives are among the agents of choice as initial therapy for most forms of occasional or idiopathic constipation and are also considered to be some of the safest laxative agents.

Certain psyllium products may be used in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older; the fiber wafers may be used in children as young as 4 years of age.

However, fiber supplements are not routinely recommended in the treatment of childhood functional constipation due to a lack of evidence that supports their use over a healthy diet.

Also, patients with chronic constipation may need other strategies to treat their condition.

Unlike methylcellulose and calcium polycarbophil, fiber supplementation with psyllium has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Psyllium products have also been reported to be an effective fiber adjunct to help with satiety and to assist promotion of healthy weight and blood sugar.

Flatulence and bloating are common side effects; psyllium has rarely caused more severe side effects such as allergy or mechanical obstruction of the esophagus or colon.

Indications

• AIDS-associated enteropathy
• constipation
• hypercholesterolemia

For use as a dietary fiber supplement to support digestive health and ease occasional constipation

Side Effects

1. abdominal pain
2. anaphylactoid reactions
3. asphyxia
4. bronchospasm
5. chest pain (unspecified)
6. dyspnea
7. flatulence
8. GI obstruction
9. nausea
10. vomiting

Monitoring Parameters

• laboratory monitoring not necessary

Contraindications

• abdominal pain
• acute abdomen
• appendicitis
• breast-feeding
• children
• dysphagia
• esophageal stricture
• geriatric
• GI bleeding
• GI obstruction
• ileus
• infants
• neonates
• phenylketonuria
• pregnancy
• vomiting

Psyllium products may cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to inhaled or ingested psyllium

Interactions

• Atropine; Difenoxin
• Atropine; Diphenoxylate
• Bumetanide
• Calcium Phosphate, Supersaturated
• Cardiac glycosides
• Dichlorphenamide
• Digitoxin
• Digoxin
• Droperidol
• enteral feedings
• Ethacrynic Acid
• food
• Furosemide
• Lactulose
• Loop diuretics
• Salicylates
• Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Monohydrate; Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Anhydrous
• Torsemide
• Warfarin