Fybogel is a laxative used to treat constipation, which can also be used to maintain normal bowel function in various bowel disorders.
What is Fybogel used for?
- Relieving constipation, including constipation in pregnancy.
- Making bowel movements more regular and easier to pass, to avoid straining in people with piles (haemorrhoids) or anal fissure.
- Maintaining normal bowel function in people with a colostomy or ileostomy, chronic diarrhoea associated with diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or ulcerative colitis.
- This medicine should only be used if it is not possible to increase your dietary intake of fibre, for example with bran, or if you cannot tolerate bran.
How does Fybogel work?
- Fybogel sachets and Fybogel Hi-Fibre sachets both contain the active ingredient ispaghula husk, which is a type of medicine called a bulk-forming laxative.
- Ispaghula is a type of fibre. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the faeces.
How do I take Fybogel?
- Each dose of Fybogel granules should be stirred into a glass of water (at least 150ml) and taken as soon as the fizzing dies down. The medicine should preferably be taken after meals. It should not be taken shortly before going to bed.
- Adults and children over 12 years of age should take the contents of one sachet dissolved in a glass of water morning and evening, after breakfast and evening meals.
- Children aged 6 to 12 years should take half to one level 5ml spoonful of granules, depending on size and age, dissolved in a glass of water after breakfast and evening meals.
- Children aged under six years should only be given this medicine on the advice of a doctor. They should be given half to one level 5ml spoonful of granules, depending on size and age, dissolved in a glass of water after breakfast and evening meals.
- If there has not been a bowel movement after three days of treatment you should consult your doctor.
Important information about Fybogel
- Don't take this medicine just before going to bed.
- Don't take Fybogel granules without water. It is important that each dose of granules is stirred into a glass of at least 150ml water before taking, otherwise there is a risk of it causing a blockage in the gut. It is also important to make sure you drink enough liquid throughout the day.
- If you accidentally take too much Fybogel, drink plenty of water.
- Take care to avoid inhaling the powder when you are preparing the medicine. Breathing in the powder can lead to allergic reactions.
Who should not take Fybogel?
- People with a blockage in the gut (intestinal obstruction).
- People with compressed and hardened faeces causing a blockage of the bowel (faecal impaction).
- People with weakness in the muscle of the bowel wall (colonic atony).
- People who have difficulty swallowing.
- Fybogel contains aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine. It is not suitable for people with an inherited disorder of protein metabolism called phenylketonuria.
- Children aged under six years should only be given this medicine on the advice of a doctor.
- This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Can I take Fybogel while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream. It can be safely used by women who are pregnant.
- There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by breastfeeding mothers.
What are the possible side effects of Fybogel?
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence or wind).
- Bloating or swelling of the abdomen.
- Obstruction of the intestines if the medicine is not taken with sufficient fluid.
Can I take Fybogel with other medicines?
This medicine is not known to affect any other medicines. However, as with all medicines, if you are already taking any other medicines it is important to check with your pharmacist before taking this one as well.
References:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/digestive-health/a6782/fybogel-ispaghula/
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/6859
http://patient.info/medicine/ispaghula-husk-for-constipation-fybogel-ispagel-senokot-hi-fibre
http://www.ibstales.com/fybogel.htm