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Dietary supplement

Guar Gum Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BulkSupplements.com

Powder Category: Fiber And Other Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Guar Gum is a dietary supplement by BulkSupplements.com with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation and bowel regularity, diarrhea (as a stool bulking agent), lowering cholesterol.Based on those ingredients, 2,025 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Guar Gum. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com is a single-ingredient powder supplement. Guar gum is a soluble fiber derived from guar beans and works by absorbing liquid in your digestive tract, which helps bulk up your stool and affects how quickly food moves through your system.

The product contains no inactive fillers or other ingredients — just the guar gum powder itself.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Guar Gum's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Guar Gum for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Constipation — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Hypercholesterolemia — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Hypertension — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence supporting guar gum is rated as possibly effective for several conditions. Clinical data suggests it may help lower blood pressure (hypertension), reduce cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia), relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and ease constipation. "Possibly effective" means there is some research backing these uses, but the evidence is not yet conclusive or robust enough to make a definitive claim.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Guar Gum

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Guar gum is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, but it must always be taken with plenty of water — without adequate fluid, it can cause serious blockage in your esophagus or small intestine. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, gas, and loose stools.

These effects are usually mild and often improve if you start with a small dose and gradually increase it over time. Safety data on concentrated supplement doses during pregnancy is limited, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using guar gum if you're pregnant or nursing.

Workers exposed to guar gum dust in occupational settings have reported asthma; this is not a concern for taking it by mouth as a supplement.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Guar Gum

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Guar Gum.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 2,026 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking guar gum, double-check any oral medications you take — it may reduce how well they're absorbed. Penicillin (antibiotics) and metformin (a diabetes medication) are of particular concern.

Birth control pills with ethinyl estradiol should also be reviewed. You can check your exact medications with the tool on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Guar gum may help with cholesterol, blood pressure, IBS symptoms, or constipation if the evidence in your case aligns with the research. The big catch is spacing it away from your medications — take it 30 to 60 minutes after any oral drug — and drinking plenty of water to avoid blockage.

If you take any prescription or over-the-counter medications, check them against the interaction tool here before you start. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're pregnant, nursing, or have any digestive conditions.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 23, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Guar Gum, straight from the product label.

Brand BulkSupplements.com
Barcode (UPC) X0019KOZ4D
Net contents 100 Gram(s); 3.5 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 23, 2024
DSLD ID 312796
Product type Fiber And Other Nutrients
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1500 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
1500 mg
Servings per container
67
UPC/BARCODE
X0019KOZ4D
IngredientAmount% DV
Guar Gum1500 mg--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Brand IP Statement(s)

BulkSupplemts.com Clean & pure bulk supplements

Formulation

(Derived from Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

Free of: Sugar, soy, dairy, yeast, gluten, additives

Precautions

Warning: Must be taken with at least 8 ounces of liquid to reduce the risk of choking or intestinal blockage. Avoid use if you have a history of difficulty swallowing. Seek immediate medical attention for breathing difficulties, swelling, or pain.

Always consult a physician before taking any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Warning: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, start with 1500 mg (about 1/2 tsp) taken one to three times daily, 15-30 minutes before a meal with at least 8 ounces of water (or as directed by a physician). Consume immediately.

Storage

Contents sold by weight, not volume. Settling may occur. Store in a dry, cool, dark place.

General Statements

Use an accurate milligram scale. New

See for yourself

Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1500 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container67 Amounts shown are per serving.

Guar Gum

Interacts with
2,025 drugs
1500 mg per serving

Guar gum is a soluble, gel-forming fiber from the guar bean that may modestly help with cholesterol, blood sugar, and bowel regularity. It is generall...

Guar Gum monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Guar Gum?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2,025Drugs
2,025 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Guar Gum 2,025

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Guar Gum with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Guar Gum5 drug types · 2,025 drugs

Ethinyl Estradiol

Theoretically, guar gum might reduce the absorption of ethinyl estradiol, potentially decreasing its effectiveness.
Animal research shows that taking guar gum with ethinyl estradiol decreases ethinyl estradiol absorption. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Guar gum might reduce the absorption of metformin, potentially decreasing its effectiveness.
A small study in healthy volunteers shows that guar gum reduces the absorption rate of metformin.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Oral Drugs

Guar gum might reduce the absorption of some oral drugs, potentially decreasing their effectiveness.
Clinical research shows that guar gum reduces or slows absorption of medications such as penicillin and metformin. To avoid changes in absorption, take guar gum 30-60 minutes after oral medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Penicillin

Guar gum might reduce the absorption of penicillin, potentially decreasing its effectiveness.
A small clinical study in healthy volunteers shows that taking guar gum with penicillin results in decreased penicillin absorption and reduced penicillin levels.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Guar gum might slow digoxin absorption, but it does not seem to impact how much digoxin is absorbed overall.
Two small studies in healthy volunteers show no change in the overall extent of digoxin absorption, although early absorption was slowed, when taken with guar gum.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Guar Gum, from the product label.

BulkSupplements.com

See all BulkSupplements.com products
Name
BulkSupplements.com
Street Address
7511 Eastgate Rd
City
Henderson
State
NV
ZipCode
89011
Web Address
BulkSupplements.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com: Common Questions

Does Guar Gum by BulkSupplements.com interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Guar Gum has a known interaction with 2,025 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Guar Gum contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will guar gum make my birth control less effective?
Animal research suggests guar gum might reduce how much ethinyl estradiol (a common birth control ingredient) your body absorbs, which could affect its effectiveness. This has not been tested in humans yet. To be safe, space guar gum 30 to 60 minutes after you take your birth control, and talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're concerned.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, and loose stools. These are usually mild and often improve if you start with a small dose and gradually increase it. Drinking plenty of water with each dose helps.
Can guar gum cause serious problems?
Rare but serious: guar gum can cause severe blockage in your esophagus or small intestine if you don't drink enough water with it. This is why it's critical to take it with lots of fluid. A taste aversion to guar gum has also been reported in some people.
Is guar gum safe during pregnancy?
Safety data on supplement doses of guar gum during pregnancy is limited. Food amounts are likely fine, but talk with your doctor before taking guar gum as a concentrated supplement while pregnant or nursing.
Does guar gum actually work for cholesterol or blood pressure?
The evidence is rated as possibly effective for both high cholesterol and high blood pressure, as well as for IBS and constipation. This means there is some research supporting these uses, but the evidence is not yet conclusive.
How long should I wait between taking guar gum and my other medications?
Take guar gum at least 30 to 60 minutes after you take your oral medications to minimize the chance that guar gum interferes with how your body absorbs them.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Guar Gum is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Guar Gum label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Guar Gum's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 26 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Guar Gum 26 references
  1. Gin H, Orgerie MB, Aubertin J. The influence of Guar gum on absorption of metformin from the gut in healthy volunteers. Horm Metab Res 1989;21:81-3.
  2. Huupponen R, Seppala P, Iisalo E. Effect of guar gum, a fibre preparation, on digoxin and penicillin absorption in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1984;26:279-81. PubMed
  3. Malo JL, Cartier A, L'Archeveque J, et al. Prevalence of occupational asthma and immunologic sensitization to guar gum among employees at a carpet-manufacturing plant. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1990;86:562-9. PubMed
  4. Lagier F, Cartier A, Somer J, et al. Occupational asthma caused by guar gum. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1990;85:785-90.
  5. Lewis JH. Esophageal and small bowel obstruction from guar gum-containing diet pills: analysis of 26 cases reported to the FDA. Am J Gastroenterol 1992;87:1424-8.
  6. Vuorinen-Markkola H, Sinisalo M, Koivisto VA. Guar gum in insulin-dependent diabetes: effects on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:1056-1060. PubMed
  7. Superko HR, Haskell WL, Sawrey-Kubicek L, Farquhar JW. Effects of solid and liquid guar gum on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in moderate hypercholesterolemia. Am J Cardiol 1988;62:51-5. PubMed
  8. Garcia JJ, Fernandez N, Diez MJ, et al. Influence of two dietary fibers in the oral bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of ethinyloestradiol. Contraception 2000;62:253-7. PubMed
  9. Groop PH, Aro A, Stenman S, Groop L. Long-term effects of guar gum in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr 1993;58:513-8. PubMed
  10. Chuang LM, Jou TS, Yang WS, et al. Therapeutic effect of guar gum in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Formos Med Assoc 1992;91:15-9.
  11. Ebeling P, Yki-Jarvinen H, Aro A, et al. Glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in type 1 diabetes: the effect of guar gum. Am J Clin Nutr 1988;48:98-103. PubMed
  12. Scheen AJ. Clinical pharmacokinetics of metformin. Clin Pharmacokinet 1996;30:359-71. PubMed
  13. Knopp RH, Superko HR, Davidson M, et al. Long-term blood cholesterol-lowering effects of a dietary fiber supplement. Am J Prev Med 1999;17:18-23. PubMed
  14. Patrick PG, Gohman SM, Marx SC, et al. Effect of supplements of partially hydrolyzed guar gum on the occurrence of constipation and use of laxative agents. J Am Diet Assoc 1998;98:912-4. PubMed
  15. Osterlund P, Ruotsalainen T, Korpela R, et al. Lactobacillus supplementation for diarrhoea related to chemotherapy of colorectal cancer: a randomised study. Br J Cancer 2007;97:1028-34. PubMed
  16. Lembcke B, Hasler K, Kramer P, et al. Plasma digoxin concentrations during administration of dietary fibre (guar gum) in man. Z Gastroenterol 1982;20;164-7.
  17. Riikonen, S., Savonius, H., Gylling, H., Nikkila, K., Tuomi, A. M., and Miettinen, T. A. Oral guar gum, a gel-forming dietary fiber relieves pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Acta Obstet.Gynecol.Scand. 2000;79(4):260-264. DOI
  18. Kovacs, E. M., Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S., Saris, W. H., Goossens, I., Geurten, P., and Brouns, F. The effect of addition of modified guar gum to a low-energy semisolid meal on appetite and body weight loss. Int.J.Obes.Relat Metab Disord. 2001;25(3):307 PubMed
  19. Halama, W. H. and Mauldin, J. L. Distal esophageal obstruction due to a guar gum preparation (Cal-Ban 3000). South.Med.J. 1992;85(6):642-645. PubMed
  20. Landin, K., Holm, G., Tengborn, L., and Smith, U. Guar gum improves insulin sensitivity, blood lipids, blood pressure, and fibrinolysis in healthy men. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1992;56(6):1061-1065. PubMed
  21. Cicero, A. F., Derosa, G., Manca, M., Bove, M., Borghi, C., and Gaddi, A. V. Different effect of psyllium and guar dietary supplementation on blood pressure control in hypertensive overweight patients: a six-month, randomized clinical trial. Clin.Exp.Hyp PubMed
  22. Simons LA, Gayst S, Balasubramaniam S, Ruys J. Long-term treatment of hypercholesterolaemia with a new palatable formulation of guar gum. Atherosclerosis 1982;45:101-108. PubMed
  23. Salenius JP, Harju E, Jokela H, et al. Long term effects of guar gum on lipid metabolism after carotid endarterectomy. BMJ 1-14-1995;310:95-96. PubMed
  24. Gylling, H., Riikonen, S., Nikkila, K., Savonius, H., and Miettinen, T. A. Oral guar gum treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis and pruritus in pregnant women: effects on serum cholestanol and other non-cholesterol sterols. Eur.J.Clin.Invest 1998;28(5):35 PubMed
  25. Brillantino A, Iacobellis F, Izzo G, et al. Maintenance therapy with partially hydrolyzed guar gum in the conservative treatment of chronic anal fissure: results of a prospective, randomized study. Biomed Res Int 2014;2014:964942. PubMed
  26. Polymeros D, Beintaris I, Gaglia A, et al. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum accelerates colonic transit time and improves symptoms in adults with chronic constipation. Dig Dis Sci 2014;59(9):2207-14. PubMed

See these in context on the Guar Gum monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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