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| Trade Name(s): Fiberall, Hydrocil, Metamucil, PerDiem Fiber, Reguloid |
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| Type of Drug: Psyllium hydrophilic muciloid is a bulk–producing laxative made of plant fiber and is used to treat constipation. |
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| How Drug Works: Psyllium hydrophilic muciloid absorbs water, which expands in the intestines. This stimulates the normal forward movement of the intestines (peristalsis), resulting in a bowel movement within 12 to 24 hours. It is also soothing to the intestines if they are inflamed (demulcent effect). |
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| How Drug Is Given: Psyllium hydrophilic muciloid is given by mouth. Mix the powder in 8 oz of juice or water and drink it right away. Otherwise it will get too thick to drink. The dose is the same for all adults, but the number of doses depends on how well it works for you. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets. |
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| How Should I Take This Drug? Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you. |
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| Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor. | ||||
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| Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals. | ||||
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| Should I avoid any other medications, foods, alcohol, and/or activities? Your prescription and nonprescription medications may interact with other drugs, causing a harmful effect. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medication, prescription or nonprescription, without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, foods or other medications. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and may affect activities such as driving. |
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| Precautions: Psyllium hydrophilic muciloid is not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, so there are few side effects. However, the powder may contain sugar. If you have diabetes mellitus, select powder without sugar. To prevent constipation, try 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 cereal, and do gentle exercise as tolerated. Tell your doctor if you are taking salicylates, nitrofurantoin, or digoxin. Talk with your doctor about possible drug interactions. Talk to your doctor before taking psyllium hydrophilic muciloid if you have nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or bleeding, or if you are impacted. There may be something else wrong besides constipation. |
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Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
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Side Effects: |
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More Common Side Effects:
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Less Common Side Effects:
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Rare Side Efects:
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Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems. |
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| FDA Approval: Yes |
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| Note: This information was adapted from the American Cancer Society's Consumers Guide to Cancer Drugs. Copyright © 2004, Jones and Bartlett Publishers. This information may not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions, is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is familiar with your medical needs. For more information, contact your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. | ||||
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