PSYLLIUM

Brand & Generic Names

Cillium	Modane Bulk
Effersyllium	Naturacil
Fiberall	Perdiem
Hydrocil	Perdiem Plain
Hydrocil Instant	Pro-Lax
Karacil	Prodiem
Konsyl	Prodiem Plain
Konsyl-D	Prompt
Konsyl-Orange	Reguloid Natural
Metamucil	Reguloid Orange
Metamucil Instant Mix	Serutan
Metamucil Instant Mix,	Serutan Toasted Granules
Orange Flavor	Siblin
Metamucil Orange Flavor	Syllact
Metamucil Strawberry	V-Lax
Flavor	Versabran
Metamucil Sugar Free

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? No
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Laxative (bulk-forming)

Uses

Relieves constipation and prevents straining for bowel movement.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Powder or granules--Dilute dose in 8 oz. cold water or fruit juice.
Wafers or chewable pieces--Chew and swallow with liquid.

When to take:
At the same time each day, preferably morning.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Resume regular schedule.

What drug does:
Absorbs water, stimulating the bowel to form a soft, bulky stool.

Time lapse before drug works:
May require 2 or 3 days to begin, then works in 12 to 24 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Don't take within 2 hours of taking another medicine.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

Swallowing difficulty, "lump in throat" sensation.

Rare:

Rash, itchy skin, asthma.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any bulk-forming laxative.
• You have symptoms of appendicitis, inflamed bowel or intestinal blockage.
• You have missed a bowel movement for only 1 or 2 days.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have diabetes.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you have a laxative habit.
• If you have rectal bleeding.
• If you have difficulty swallowing.
• If you take other laxatives.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Most bulk-forming laxatives contain sodium or sugars which may cause fluid retention. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Don't take for more than 1 week unless under a doctor's supervision. May cause laxative dependence.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
Don't take to "flush out" your system, or as a "tonic."

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Digitalis	Decreased digitalis
preparations*	effect.
Salicylates*	Decreased salicylate
(including aspirin)	effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.