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| Trade/other name(s) Citrucel, Unifiber |
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| Pronunciation: meth-ill-sel-you-lohs | ||||
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| Why would this drug be used? Methylcellulose is used to treat constipation. Some doctors use it to treat diarrhea as well. You can buy it over the counter, without a prescription. |
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| How does this drug work? Methylcellulose is a bulk-producing laxative that absorbs water and expands in the intestines. The movement of water stimulates the normal forward movement of the intestines (known as peristalsis), which usually results in a bowel movement within 12 to 24 hours. Some people may take longer to have a bowel movement, up to 3 days. Some doctors prescribe methylcellulose to slow down diarrhea. |
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| Before taking this medicine Tell your doctor: |
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| Interactions with other drugs Bulk-forming laxatives will keep tetracycline (an antibiotic) from working. Other medicines may not work as well if taken at the same time as laxatives. Do not take methylcellulose within 2 hours of other medicines. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about other medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements, and whether alcohol can cause problems with this medicine. |
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| Interactions with foods No serious interactions with food are known at this time. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about whether foods may be a problem. |
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Tell all the doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug. |
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| How is this drug taken or given? Methylcellulose is available as powder that you can mix with juice or water (at least 8oz of one or the other is recommended). You should drink it right after mixing; otherwise, it gets thick and may be difficult to drink. You should take this drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor or follow the directions on the label. If you have any questions or are confused by the instructions, talk to your doctor or nurse. Make sure the container is tightly closed and stored away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets. |
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| Precautions Since methylcellulose isn't absorbed by the intestinal tract, there aren't many side effects associated with it. However, some forms of methylcellulose contain sugar. If you have diabetes, check with your pharmacist to be sure you get the methylcellulose without sugar. If you are on a low-sodium diet, check the sodium content or ask your pharmacist before you buy methylcellulose. Never try to swallow methylcellulose powder in dry form. Always mix powdered forms with liquid and take as directed on the package. Take caplets with plenty of water or juice. Drinking extra fluids will help methylcellulose work and reduce the chance of blocking the esophagus or intestine. Call your doctor if you have vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, or no bowel movement after 3 days. Call your doctor right away if you have a skin rash or welts (hives), itching, or trouble breathing or swallowing (lump in the throat). In addition to taking methylcellulose, you can make small changes to your diet and lifestyle that help prevent constipation. Aim to drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid a day, increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet (5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily), eat bran cereals, and do gentle exercise as tolerated. |
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Possible side effects |
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Common
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Less common
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Rare
*See "Precautions" section for more detailed information. |
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There are other side effects not listed above that can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop these or any other problems. |
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| FDA approval Yes - first approved before 1984 (FDA cannot verify dates of drugs approved before 1984.) |
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| Disclaimer: This information does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for talking with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical needs. | ||||
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