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What is the most important information I should know about psyllium?

Do not use psyllium without first talking to your doctor if you have stomach (abdominal) pain, nausea, or vomiting, rectal bleeding, or difficulty in swallowing.

Take psyllium with a full glass (at least 8 ounces) of cool water or another liquid. Taking psyllium without enough liquid may cause it to swell in the throat and cause choking.

If you experience chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty in swallowing or breathing after taking psyllium, seek immediate medical attention.

Warning

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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What is psyllium?

Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative. It absorbs liquid in the intestines and makes a bulky, softer stool which is easier to pass.

Psyllium is used to treat constipation. Psyllium may also be used to treat diarrhea and to lower cholesterol when prescribed by a doctor.

Psyllium may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.


Precautions

Do not take psyllium without first talking to your doctor if you have

  • stomach (abdominal) pain, nausea, or vomiting, or rectal bleeding;
  • difficulty in swallowing; or
  • intestinal obstruction or fecal impaction.

You may not be able to take psyllium or you may require special monitoring while taking psyllium if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Psyllium is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take psyllium without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether psyllium passes into breast milk. Do not take psyllium without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Avoid breathing in the dust from psyllium powder when mixing. The dust can cause an allergic reaction when accidently inhaled.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a psyllium overdose are not known but might include nausea, vomiting or stomach pain.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. It is not necessary to take a double dose.

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Side-effects

If you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects, stop taking psyllium and seek medical treatment or call your doctor immediately:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • chest pain;
  • difficulty in swallowing;
  • rectal bleeding; or
  • severe abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.

Other, less serious side effects, other than those listed here, may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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Interactions

Psyllium can interact with many medications. Before taking psyllium, tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. You may not be able to take psyllium, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any other medicines.

If you are taking another medicine by mouth, take psyllium at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after the prescribed medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

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Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04

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