Components:
Medically reviewed by Fedorchenko Olga Valeryevna, PharmD. Last updated on 13.04.2022
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Chronic constipation, anal fissures, haemorrhoids, following surgery in rectum area. Supportive treatment in diarrhoea of various causes. Irritable bowel syndrome. Supportive treatment in mild to moderately raised cholesterol values in addition to dietary measures.
Metamucil is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. Metamucil works by absorbing liquid and swelling in the intestines to create a softer, bulky stool that is easier to pass.
Metamucil is used to treat occasional constipation or bowel irregularity. Metamucil may also help lower cholesterol when used together with a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat.
Metamucil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Capsule,
Oral:
Konsyl: 520 mg [DSC] [gluten free, sugar free]
Natural Fiber: 0.52 g [DSC]
Reguloid: 0.52 g [DSC] [contains fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake]
Generic: 400 mg [DSC]
Capsule,
Oral [preservative free]:
Reguloid: 400 mg [fish derivative free, gluten free, milk free, no artificial flavor(s), nut free, soy free, starch free, sugar free, yeast free]
Packet,
Oral:
Konsyl: 60.3% (1 ea [DSC], 30 ea [DSC]) [gluten free, kosher certified, sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Konsyl Daily Fiber: 28.3% (1 ea, 30 ea) [gluten free; contains fd&c yellow #10 (quinoline yellow), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Konsyl Daily Fiber: 100% (1 ea, 30 ea, 100 ea) [gluten free, kosher certified, sugar free; bland flavor]
Konsyl Daily Fiber: 60.3% (30 ea) [gluten free, sugar free; contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow)]
Metamucil: 28% (30 ea) [contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Metamucil MultiHealth Fiber: 58.12% (30 ea) [gluten free, sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Mucilin: 49% (30 ea [DSC]) [contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), saccharin sodium, sodium benzoate]
Mucilin SF: 70% (30 ea [DSC]) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow)]
Powder,
Oral:
Fiber Therapy: 58.6% (283 g [DSC]) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow)]
Geri-Mucil: 68% (368 g)
Geri-Mucil: 68% (368 g) [contains fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake]
Geri-Mucil: 68% (283 g) [sugar free]
Geri-Mucil: 68% (283 g) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake]
Konsyl: 30.9% (397 g [DSC]) [gluten free, kosher certified; contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Konsyl: 60.3% (450 g [DSC]) [gluten free, kosher certified, sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Konsyl: 71.67% (300 g [DSC]) [gluten free, kosher certified, sugar free; bland flavor]
Konsyl: 60.3% (283 g) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Konsyl Daily Fiber: 28.3% (538 g) [gluten free; contains fd&c yellow #10 (quinoline yellow), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Konsyl Daily Fiber: 100% (300 g, 450 g) [gluten free, kosher certified; bland flavor]
Konsyl Daily Fiber: 60.3% (450 g) [gluten free, sugar free; contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow)]
Konsyl Original Formula: 100% (402 g [DSC]) [gluten free, kosher certified]
Konsyl-D: 52.3% (397 g) [flavor free; sweet flavor]
Metamucil: 28.3% (575 g) [orange flavor]
Metamucil MultiHealth Fiber: 63% (660 g) [gluten free, sugar free]
Mucilin SF: 70% (400 g [DSC]) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow)]
Natural Fiber Therapy: 48.57% (368 g [DSC], 538 g)
Natural Fiber Therapy: 28.3% (368 g [DSC], 538 g [DSC]) [contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake]
Natural Metamucil Seed: 100% (480 g) [animal products free, gelatin free, gluten free, kosher certified, lactose free, no artificial color(s), no artificial flavor(s), starch free, sugar free, yeast free]
Natural Vegetable Fiber: 48.57% (368 g)
Reguloid: 48.57% (369 g [DSC], 540 g)
Reguloid: 28.3% (369 g, 540 g [DSC]) [contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake; orange flavor]
Reguloid: 58.6% (284 g, 426 g) [sugar free; natural flavor]
Reguloid: 58.6% (284 g [DSC], 426 g) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake]
Sorbulax: 100% (420 g [DSC])
Powder,
Oral [preservative free]:
Evac: (480 g) [dye free]
Dosing: Adult
General dosing guidelines; consult specific product labeling; however, the dose of Metamucil should be gradually increased to effect along with dietary intake changes.
Constipation:
Oral: Metamucil: 2.5 to 30 g per day in divided doses
Reduce risk of CHD:
Oral: Soluble fiber ≥7 g (Metamucil seed husk ≥10.2 g) per day (DHHS 1998)
Diabetes mellitus, type 2 (adjunctive therapy) (off-label use):
Oral: 6.8 to 13.6 g/day in 2 divided doses (Abutair 2016; Feinglos 2013)
Irritable bowel syndrome (off-label use):
Oral: 10 g/day in 1 or 2 divided doses (ACG [Ford 2014]; Bijkerk 2009).
Dosing: Geriatric
Refer to adult dosing.
Dosing: Pediatric
Adequate intake for total fiber:
Oral:
Note:AAP/NHLBI recommendation (NHLBI 2011): Minimum intake: Children 2 to 10 years: Daily dietary intake (g/day) = Age (years) + 5 g
IOM recommendation:
Children 1 to 3 years: 19 g/day
Children 4 to 8 years: 25 g/day
Children and Adolescents 9 to 13 years: Male: 31 g/day; Female: 26 g/day
Adolescents: 14 to 18 years: Male: 38 g/day; Female: 26 g/day
Bowel movement regularity:
Oral:
Note:Children 6 to <12 years: 1.25 to 15 g/day in 1 to 3 divided doses
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 2.5 to 30 g/day in 1 to 3 divided doses
Hypercholesterolemia; adjunct treatment with dietary management (NHLBI 2011):
Oral:
Children 2 to <12 years: 6 g/day in 1 to 3 divided doses
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 12 g/day in 1 to 3 divided doses
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Metamucil?
Pathological narrowing in the gastrointestinal tract. Threatened or existing intestinal obstruction (ileus). Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.
Use in children: Insufficient investigations have been undertaken concerning the use of Metamucil in children. It should not therefore be given to children <12 years.
Use Metamucil powder as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Metamucil powder may be taken with or without food.
- Place the dose recommended by the package labeling or your doctor in an empty glass. Mix Metamucil powder with a full glass (at least 8 oz or 240 mL) of water or other liquid. Stir briskly and drink immediately. If the mixture thickens, add more liquid and stir.
- Do not take other oral medicines within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Metamucil powder.
- If you miss a dose of Metamucil powder, 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 Metamucil powder.
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.This medication is used to treat constipation. It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass.
Metamucil, one type of bulk-forming laxative, has also been used along with a proper diet to treat high cholesterol.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used to help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
How to use Metamucil (Metamucil)
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. To prevent choking from this medication, take it with a full glass of water or other liquid (8 ounces/240 milliliters). If you are taking the wafers, chew them thoroughly before swallowing.
For powder forms of this medication, measure each dose according to the directions on the product label. Mix in a full glass of water or other liquid (8 ounces/240 milliliters), stir completely, and drink right away. You may add more liquid to the mixture if it becomes too thick. When preparing the medication, be careful not to breathe in the powder since it may rarely cause an allergic reaction.
Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed.
This product may decrease the absorption of other medications you may be taking. Take this product at least 2 hours from your other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
It may take 1 to 3 days before this medication starts working. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Do not take this medication for more than 7 days unless directed by your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens, or if bleeding from the rectum occurs. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
See also:
What other drugs will affect Metamucil?
Absorption of some minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc, cardiac glycosides, coumarin derivatives, and lithium salts might be decreased by concomitant use of Metamucil. So it is recommended to take this medicine two hours before or after taking meal and medicine together with extra water.
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Metamucil?
Applies to Metamucil: capsules, powder, wafers
Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Abdominal fullness; minor bloating.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur while taking Metamucil (the active ingredient contained in Metamucil)
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; difficulty swallowing; trouble breathing; vomiting.
Each 5-g sachet contains Psyllium husk (Plantago ovata seed shells) 3.25 g. Excipients include sucrose (saccharose), citric acid, dextrin, sodium alginate, sodium citrate, orange flavor, sodium chloride, saccharin sodium. It contains utilizable carbohydrate equivalent to 0.064 carbohydrate exchange unit.