Bulk-Producing Laxatives, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to prevent or relieve constipation and hard, dry bowel movements. Take it exactly as directed.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: laxative

Generic and brand names: bulk-producing fiber laxative; guar gum laxative, oral; calcium polycarbophil laxative, oral; psyllium bulk laxative, oral; Benefiber; Citrucel; Citrucel Sugar Free; FiberCon; Fiber-Lax; Hydrocil Instant; Konsyl; Konsyl D; Konsyl Easy Mix; Konsyl Fiber; Konsyl Orange; Metamucil Orange Flavor; Metamucil Plus Calcium; Metamucil Sugar Free; Methylcellulose; Natural Fiber Laxative; Perdiem Fiber Therapy; Reguloid Orange; Reguloid Sugar Free; Unifiber (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

Laxatives are taken by mouth to:

• Relieve constipation
• Prevent constipation after surgery or heart attack
• Prevent dry, hard bowel movements

Psyllium may also be used as part of a cholesterol-lowering program.

Some bulk-forming laxatives, like psyllium and polycarbophil, may also be used to treat diarrhea.

Different kinds of laxatives work in different ways. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which product is best for you. Make sure you know which kind you are taking.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Dehydration
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• A blockage in the intestines, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis
• Kidney disease
• Phenylketonuria (PKU). Some products may contain phenylalanine.
• Rectal bleeding
• Symptoms of appendicitis or an inflamed bowel (abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, nausea, and vomiting)
• Trouble swallowing

If you are on a sodium or magnesium-restricted diet, do not take laxatives that contain sodium or magnesium unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you have noticed a sudden change in your bowel habits that lasts longer than 2 weeks, talk with your healthcare provider before taking this medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Take only those laxatives that are recommended by your healthcare provider. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take laxatives as directed by your healthcare provider, or follow the directions on the package label. Do not take more laxative or take it more often than directed. Drink several glasses of water during the day to help soften your bowel movement.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children. Some brands should not be used in children under a certain age. For young children, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which laxatives to use.

Laxatives may come as capsules, tablets, wafers, or powdered or granulated products to be mixed with liquid. Swallow tablets and capsules whole. Chew wafers thoroughly. Mix powdered or granulated products with water or fruit juice. Do not take them dry.

Avoid breathing in the dust from the powdered or granulated product. Sometimes inhaling the dust may cause an allergic reaction.

For this medicine to work properly and to prevent side effects, you must drink at least 8 oz of water or fruit juice when you take a laxative.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain.

What should I watch out for?

Some products contain large amounts of sodium or sugar. If you have diabetes, these products may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you are not sure which product is the best for you.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Dizziness, flushing, sweating, severe abdominal cramps, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, chest pain; unusual tiredness or weakness, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, confusion, irregular heartbeat, muscle aches, rectal bleeding, trouble urinating.

Other: diarrhea, gas, rectal irritation, brown or reddish urine, constipation (if too little water is taken with the laxative).

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Antibiotics such as demeclocycline, doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), and tetracycline
• Diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium), and triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide, Maxzide)

Laxatives may interfere with the absorption of other medicines. It is best to take other medicines 2 hours before or after you take this laxative.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.