Fybogel (ispaghula husk)

Fybogel is suitable for most adults and children aged 6 years or older, but always check before taking it.

Fybogel is not suitable for some people. For example, check with a doctor if you have a bowel obstruction or a rare condition called phenylketonuria.

Fybogel comes as plain, orange- or lemon-flavoured granules you mix into water and drink after a meal or sack. It's usually taken twice a day.

Side effects of Fybogel include wind and bloating. More serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

Fybogel can be taken during pregnancy.

It can cause problems to Fybogel with some other medicines, such as carbamazepine for epilepsy or digoxin for heart problems.

Most adults can take Fybogel, including while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Only give Fybogel to a child under 6 years old if it's been prescribed by a doctor.

Fybogel is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking Fybogel if you have:

• ever had an allergic reaction to Fybogel or any other medicine
• any changes in your poo, such as having blood in it, or how often you need to poo, which are unusual for you and has lasted longer than 2 weeks
• tummy pain and you feel sick or are being sick, these could be signs of a blockage in your bowel
• muscle weakness of the bowel (colonic atony)
• difficulty swallowing or any throat problems
• a rare genetic condition called phenylketonuria

The usual dose of Fybogel for constipation is:

• for adults and children aged 12 years and over – 1 sachet of granules twice a day
• for children aged 6 to 11 years – half to 1 level (5ml) teaspoonful of granules twice a day
• for children aged 5 years or under – half to 1 level (5ml) teaspoonful of granules twice a day, only if recommended by a doctor

How to take Fybogel

It's best to take Fybogel after a meal or snack and at least 30 minutes before or after you take any other medicine.

To make up the medicine, open the sachet and empty the amount of granules you need into a glass. Add at least 150ml of cold water to the glass.

Stir well until all the granules have dissolved and the Fybogel solution is clear or slightly hazy, then drink it immediately.

Try not to breathe in the powder when you make up the Fybogel drink, because there's a small chance this could trigger a mild allergic reaction.

Have your evening drink of Fybogel at least an hour before going to bed. Do not drink Fybogel just before you go to sleep because this can make it harder for your bowel to move the poo along.

It's important to drink extra fluid if you're taking Fybogel. Adults should try to drink more than 2 litres, or around 8 glasses, of fluid each day. If you do not drink enough fluid while taking Fybogel, your constipation may get worse.

Side effects of Fybogel include wind and bloating.

This sometimes happens because of the sudden increase of fibre in your diet.

It should get better after a few days. If the side effects continue, or you're worried, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Fybogel is commonly taken during pregnancy and is not harmful to your baby.

You can take Fybogel while breastfeeding.

It does not pass into breast milk so has not caused any side effects in breastfed babies.

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids while taking Fybogel, and this will also help with your breast milk supply.

Fybogel can change the way some medicines work.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking any other medicines before you start to take Fybogel, including:

• lithium, a medicine for mood problems
• carbamazepine, a medicine for epilepsy and mood problems
• digoxin, a heart medicine
• insulin or any other medicine for diabetes
• mesalazine, a medicine to treat bowel disease
• pain medicines that can cause constipation, such as codeine

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with Fybogel. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Fybogel can affect how other medicines, vitamins and supplements are absorbed in your body. If you need to take another medicine or a supplement, take it more than an hour before or after you take Fybogel.

Taking Fybogel with other laxatives

Sometimes you may need to take 2 different types of laxatives at the same time to get your bowel moving.

Only take 2 types of laxatives together if a doctor or pharmacist has recommended it because it can increase your chance of side effects.

Taking Fybogel with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remedies

You can take Fybogel at the same time as IBS remedies such as Buscopan.