Can you take psyllium every day

The table below contains the ones which sometimes occur with psyllium husk. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Speak with your physician or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome. If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to taking psyllium husk, speak with your physician or pharmacist for further advice.

If you are due to have an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking. If you buy any medicines, always check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines. Never take more than the recommended dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the emergency room of your local hospital.

Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Ask your pharmacist about ways to dispose of medicines safely in your local area.

S National Library of Medicine. Dated December Psyllium husk comes in several forms, including powder, capsules and chewable wafers ; you'll find it in the pharmacy or over-the-counter medicine sections of most supermarkets and almost every health food or supplement store. With that said, it isn't always labeled as psyllium. Read more: The 10 Best Supplements. Did you know? Psyllium may also be sold as ispaghula husk or labeled as blond psyllium.

When you take psyllium, you must drink at least 8 ounces of liquid along with the supplement. All that liquid does two things: First, it allows the psyllium husk to absorb water and "plump" in your intestines, forming a bulky stool that's easy to pass.

That's what differentiates a bulk-forming laxative like psyllium from a stimulant laxative such as cascara sagrada , which triggers muscular contractions to move stool through your intestines.

Second, the liquid helps prevent the psyllium husk from forming a blockage in your intestines or simply increasing constipation instead of helping it — two of the biggest potential side effects of a bulk-forming laxative such as psyllium.

Speaking of blockages: If you have a history of intestinal blockage, rectal bleeding or trouble swallowing, you should talk to your doctor before taking psyllium husk supplements. Although fiber supplements like psyllium are some of the gentlest laxatives you can take, Medline Plus still recommends that you don't take psyllium for more than a week unless your doctor tells you to. Why the limited duration? There are two reasons. First, if you need to take a laxative for extended periods of time, it may signal a less-obvious problem that would benefit from a doctor's attention.

Second, as gentle as psyllium husk fiber is, all laxatives bring with them some risk of side effects , such as interacting with medications or complicating medical conditions such as appendicitis or bowel obstructions. Your doctor can help you anticipate or deal with such side effects — but only if you talk to him about what you're taking. Read more: The 12 Most Overrated Supplements. Aside from the risk of intestinal blockage, psyllium husk can also interact with some medications.

Medline Plus warns that you shouldn't take digoxin, salicylates or nitrofurantoin within three hours of taking psyllium, while the Linus Pauling Institute also warns that psyllium can reduce absorption of several medications, including lithium, warfarin and carbamazepine, if you take the medications and psyllium at the same time.

Both of these warnings are excellent examples of why you should always check in with your doctor before adding any new supplements to your regimen, even something as innocuous as psyllium. Fiber supplements , such as psyllium husk, can also affect blood sugar levels , so make sure you speak with your doctor if you have diabetes. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance.

Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Psyllium is a form of soluble fiber sourced from the husks of the psyllium Plantago ovata seed. This plant grows most predominantly in India as it is native to Asia, but it can be found worldwide, including growing wildly in the southwest U. Some people may need a fiber supplement, such as psyllium, to increase their intake.

Fiber is said to help with a wide range of health issues, including:. There are two types of fiber: Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion to help slow the process. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and seems to help food pass more quickly through the stomach and intestines. Here's a look at several findings from the available research on the potential health benefits of psyllium:.

Increasing your intake of soluble fiber may promote bowel regularity. As psyllium makes its way down your digestive tract, it absorbs water in the intestines, swells, and contributes to a gel-like stool that's softer and easier to pass. In a review published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics in , however, researchers reviewed clinical trials on the effect of prunes on gastrointestinal function and found that prunes were superior to psyllium for improving stool frequency and consistency.

Another study found that psyllium and prune fiber were equally effective in improving constipation and quality of life, however, prune fiber was more effective at relieving flatulence and bloating. Adding soluble fiber to your diet may help to lower your cholesterol. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration allows psyllium products to make the health claim that they reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol.

Soluble fiber interferes with the uptake of bile acids in the intestines, leading to their excretion in the stool. As the liver converts cholesterol to replace the bile acids, levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol are lowered. Increasing your soluble fiber intake by five to 10 grams a day typically results in a five-percent reduction in LDL cholesterol.

In a study published in PLoS One in , participants took a psyllium supplement or a placebo. Psyllium supplementation resulted in a six-percent reduction in LDL cholesterol. Psyllium has also been shown to be an effective co-therapy for statin drugs and bile acid sequestrants. A meta-analysis from that evaluated dietary fiber supplementation in 14 randomized controlled trials involving patients with IBS found that fiber supplementation especially with psyllium was effective in improving IBS symptoms compared to placebo.

IBS is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder that's widely believed to be caused by too little dietary fiber. Some research suggests that soluble fiber such as psyllium may help improve glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes. In a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in , for instance, researchers analyzed previously published studies and found that taking psyllium before meals resulted in a significant improvement in fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin HbA1C in people with type 2 diabetes.

Soluble fiber is also said to promote a feeling of fullness, or satiety, which may result in better weight control. In a study published in the journal Appetite in , for instance, psyllium supplementation resulted in greater fullness and less hunger between meals compared to a placebo. Side effects can include gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.

Allergic reactions have also been reported. To prevent constipation, drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly, and eat a high-fiber diet, including whole-grain bran cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Psyllium shouldn't be taken by people with bowel obstructions or spasms, difficulty swallowing, or a narrowing or obstruction anywhere in the digestive tract. People with kidney disease and those who are taking certain medications may not be able to take psyllium supplements.

Psyllium is not recommended for use in children unless recommended by the child's healthcare provider. If you have a new or persistent change in your bowel habits, be sure to consult your healthcare provider. If you have a health condition that requires treatment such as diabetes or heart disease , talk with your healthcare provider if you're interested in psyllium rather than in forgoing or delaying standard care.