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Psyllium

Psyllium is a bulk-forming fiber laxative used across multiple brands to treat occasional constipation and restore regular bowel movements.

Brand names AlramucilCiliumFiberallGenfiberHydrocil +11 more
OTC Forms 2
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 37 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 7, 2026
Psyllium at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Psyllium is a bulk-forming fiber laxative that soaks up water to make stools softer and bulkier, a common first step for occasional constipation, on the market since about 1989 and available as a generic. It is gentle and well tolerated, with mild bloating and shifting bowel habits early on, and it usually works within 12 to 72 hours, not overnight. Take every dose with at least a full 8-ounce glass of liquid, since dry psyllium can swell and cause choking; chest pain, trouble swallowing or breathing, or vomiting afterward needs emergency care. Keep it at least 2 hours apart from prescription medicines taken by mouth, since it can reduce their absorption.

Clinical pearls

  • Stir the powder briskly and drink it right away, because it thickens into a gel quickly if it sits.
  • Start with one serving a day and build up slowly so the bloating settles while your gut adjusts.
  • Stop and see a doctor if constipation lasts beyond 7 days or you notice any rectal bleeding.
  • Mix the powder gently and avoid breathing in the dust, which can trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive people.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itOver the counter
Comes asOral powder, Capsule
Earliest FDA record1989
Companies listing it with the FDA15
FDA label last updatedJul 17, 2026
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Psyllium, written from its FDA label.

What Psyllium is used for

▾

Psyllium is a bulk-forming fiber laxative available under many brand names, all approved for the same core use:

  • Treats occasional constipation and helps restore regular bowel movements — supported by all capsule and oral powder products in the evidence, including Careone, Best Choice, Best Choice Fiber Therapy, Premier Value Fiber, fiber laxative, meijer fiber laxative, Publix, Daily Fiber, Dr. Fibra, Lidl Orange Smooth Fiber Powder, and meijer fiber therapy
  • Generally produces a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours — noted across all supported products

Psyllium dosage

▾

Psyllium oral powder is mixed into at least 8 ounces (a full glass) of water or other fluid, stirred well, and drunk promptly. Capsule forms are also taken by mouth with a full glass of liquid. Both forms can generally be taken up to 3 times a day for adults and children 12 and older.

  • New users: Start with 1 serving per day and gradually increase to avoid excess bloating
  • Children 6–11: Half the adult dose with 8 oz of liquid, up to 3 times daily (for products that support this age group)
  • Children under 6 (or under 12 for some products): Consult a doctor before use
  • Prescription medicines: Take psyllium at least 2 hours before or after any oral prescription medicine

Always follow the directions on your specific product label or as directed by your prescriber.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Psyllium prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Adults & children 12 years & older
    • 1 rounded TABLESPOON in 8 oz of liquid at the first sign of irregularity (some labels state 1 rounded teaspoon in 8 ounces of liquid)
    • Can be taken up to 3 times daily
    • Generally produces effect in 12–72 hours
    • Maximum: up to 3 times daily
    • Mix with at least 8 ounces (a full glass) of water or other fluid; taking without enough liquid may cause choking. New users start with 1 serving per day, gradually increased to desired daily intake.
  • Children 6 – 11 yrs
    • ½ adult dose in 8 oz of liquid, up to 3 times daily
    • Maximum: up to 3 times daily
    • Mix with at least 8 ounces (a full glass) of water or other fluid.
  • Children under 6 yrs
    • Consult a doctor
Read the label’s full dosing text

Directions: Put one dose into an empty glass. Mix this product (child or adult dose) with at least 8 ounces (a full glass) of water or other fluid. Taking this product without enough liquid may cause choking. See choking warning. Stir briskly and drink promptly. If mixture thickens, add more liquid and stir. Adults & children 12 years & older: 1 rounded teaspoon in 8 ounces of liquid at the first sign of irregularity. Can be taken up to 3 times daily. Children 6 – 11 yrs: ½ adult dose in 8 ounces of liquid, up to 3 times daily Children under 6 yrs: Consult a doctor Bulk forming fibers like psyllium husk may affect how well other medicines work. If you are taking a prescription medicine by mouth, take this product at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after the prescribed medicine. As your body adjusts to increased fiber intake, you may experience changes in bowel habits or minor bloating. New Users Start with 1 serving per day; gradually increased to desired daily intake. You may initially experience changes in bowel habits or minor bloating, as your body adjusts to increased fiber intake.

Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Psyllium side effects

▾

Most people tolerate psyllium well, but some effects can occur as your body adjusts:

Common side effects

  • Changes in bowel habits as your body adjusts
  • Minor bloating, especially when first starting
  • Allergic reaction in people sensitive to psyllium
  • Allergic reaction in people sensitive to inhaled or ingested psyllium

When to get medical help

  • Get medical help right away if you experience chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing or breathing after taking psyllium — this may signal choking or a blockage
  • Stop use and call a doctor if constipation lasts more than 7 days
  • Stop use and call a doctor if rectal bleeding occurs — this may be a sign of a serious condition
  • Call a doctor before use if you have had a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or more
  • Call a doctor before use if you have abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting

If you develop chest pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or vomiting after taking psyllium, seek emergency help immediately — this may mean the product is blocking your airway or esophagus. Stop use and see a doctor if constipation lasts more than 7 days or if you notice rectal bleeding.

Psyllium warnings and precautions

▾
  • Choking hazard: Always take psyllium with at least 8 ounces of liquid. Without enough fluid, it can swell and block your throat or esophagus. Do not use it if you already have trouble swallowing.
  • Emergency signs: Chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing or breathing after taking psyllium — seek immediate medical attention.
  • Allergy alert: Psyllium can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to psyllium dust or particles, whether inhaled or swallowed.
  • When to stop and call a doctor: Constipation lasting more than 7 days, or rectal bleeding — these may signal a more serious condition.
  • Before you start: Ask a doctor first if you have had a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or more, or if you have abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Psyllium interactions

▾

Psyllium can interfere with how other medicines are absorbed from your digestive tract. The key precaution:

  • Oral prescription medicines: Take psyllium at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after any prescription medicine taken by mouth — bulk-forming fibers can reduce or slow absorption of those drugs

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿17 supplements and herbs with documented Psyllium interactions, ranked by severity Check Psyllium against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Psyllium

▾
  • Difficulty swallowing: Do not take psyllium if swallowing is already a problem for you
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting: Ask a doctor before use
  • Sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or more: Ask a doctor before starting psyllium
  • Psyllium allergy or sensitivity: People sensitive to inhaled or ingested psyllium should be cautious — this product may cause an allergic reaction
  • Children under 6 (or under 12 for some products): Consult a doctor before use
  • Taking prescription medicines: Discuss timing with your pharmacist or doctor

Psyllium overdose

▾

If you or someone else takes too much psyllium, call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222, or get emergency medical help. Keep psyllium out of reach of children.

How to store Psyllium

▾

store at room temperature. protect from humidity ▪ contains a 100% natural, therapeutic fiber

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

17

Supplements & herbs that interact with Psyllium

17 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Psyllium in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 1
  • Moderate · 7
  • Minor · 9
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major COFFEE CHARCOAL Moderate EUROPEAN MANDRAKE Moderate GLUCOMANNAN Moderate GUAR GUM Moderate GUM ARABIC Moderate SLIPPERY ELM Moderate TRAGACANTH Moderate +9 more
Every supplement checked against Psyllium — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 1 major · 7 moderate · 9 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Psyllium against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Psyllium: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Psyllium — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is psyllium actually used for?

▾
Psyllium is used to relieve occasional constipation — meaning when you're having trouble going to the bathroom but it's not a long-term or ongoing problem. It comes in powder and capsule forms under many brand names. Most products say it generally produces a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours, so don't expect instant results.

Is it safe to take psyllium every day?

▾
These products are labeled for occasional constipation, and most can be taken up to 3 times a day. If you still haven't had relief after 7 days of use, that's your signal to stop and check in with your doctor — it could point to something else going on. Start with one serving a day if you're new to psyllium, then increase gradually to avoid extra bloating.

Why do I have to drink so much water with it?

▾
This is really important — psyllium absorbs liquid and swells up to work as a fiber laxative. If you don't take it with a full 8-ounce glass of liquid, it can swell in your throat or esophagus and cause choking. If you ever feel chest pain, have trouble breathing or swallowing, or vomit after taking it, get emergency help right away. Never skip the water.

Will psyllium affect any of my other medications?

▾
It can. Psyllium is a bulk-forming fiber, and it can slow down or reduce how well your body absorbs prescription medicines taken by mouth. To avoid this, take psyllium at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after any oral prescription medicine. If you're unsure about timing with your specific drugs, your pharmacist can help you figure out the best schedule.

I'm feeling bloated since I started taking it — is that normal?

▾
Yes, that's a common and expected adjustment. When you add fiber to your diet, your digestive system needs a little time to get used to it. Minor bloating and changes in bowel habits in the first few days are normal. Starting with just one serving a day and working up slowly can help reduce that discomfort.

Can my child take psyllium?

▾
It depends on the product and your child's age. Some psyllium products allow a half-adult dose for children 6 to 11 years old with 8 ounces of liquid, up to 3 times a day. For children under 6 — or under 12 for certain products — the labels say to consult a doctor before use. Always check the specific label of the product you have and follow those age guidelines.

Is Psyllium available over the counter?

▾
Yes. The Psyllium products listed with the FDA are sold over the counter, without a prescription (the oral powder and capsule forms). Follow the package directions. Your pharmacist can tell you which product is right for you.

When was Psyllium first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Psyllium is from 1989: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Psyllium was first used.

Who makes Psyllium?

▾
15 companies currently list Psyllium products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Meijer Distribution Inc, Raritan Pharmaceuticals Inc, Best Choice (valu Merchandisers Company). That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Psyllium on HelloPharmacist

📊Psyllium supplement interactions17 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerPsyllium vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Psyllium NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Psyllium Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Psyllium forms and strengths (how it comes)

Psyllium is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Psyllium inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Oral powder

By mouth
Brands Metamucil
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Treats occasional constipation and restores regularity
  • Generally produces a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours
Important instructions
  • Put one dose into an empty glass, mix with at least 8 ounces of water or other fluid, stir briskly, and drink right away
  • If the mixture thickens, add more liquid and stir — never take it without adequate liquid due to choking risk
  • Best Choice Fiber Therapy and Careone powder: can be taken up to 3 times daily; children 6–11 use half the adult dose; children under 6 should see a doctor first
  • New users should start with 1 serving per day and gradually increase; some bloating or changes in bowel habits are normal at first
Available strengths 6 strengths
3.4 g 3.4 g/5.8 g 3.4 g/5.78 g 3.4 g/5.79 g 3.4 g/7 g 3.4 g/12 g
82 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Capsule

By mouth
Brands Best Choice Careone fiber laxative meijer fiber laxative Premier Value Fiber Publix
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Treats occasional constipation and restores regularity
  • Generally produces a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours
Important instructions
  • Take by mouth with a full glass (at least 8 oz) of water or other liquid
  • Do not take without adequate liquid — risk of choking
  • If you take prescription medicines by mouth, take psyllium capsules at least 2 hours before or after those medicines
  • Follow your product label or prescriber for the right number of capsules and how often to take them
Available strengths 1 strength
0.52 g
33 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Psyllium on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Psyllium appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

15 companies list 35 Psyllium product records with the FDA, mostly as oral powder, capsule; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1989. Brand names on the directory include Alramucil, Cilium, Fiberall and 13 more; the rest are generics.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
15
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
40
Brand names
35
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1989
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (1) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Meijer Distribution Inc20%
Raritan Pharmaceuticals Inc14%
Best Choice (valu Merchandisers Company)9%
Pharmacy Value Alliance, Llc9%
Publix Super Markets, Inc9%
Target Corporation9%
Other makers31%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Compare Psyllium products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Psyllium — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 35 of 35 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 35 Psyllium NDCs →

Psyllium side effects reported to the FDA (FAERS)

After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Psyllium — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.

The effects most often named in FDA reports that mention Psyllium are fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation; about 61% of the reports were classed as serious. These are voluntary reports, so they show what people report, not how often it happens.

9,821
Reports mentioning it
61%
Reported as serious
12
Distinct effects shown
Most reported effects
Fatigue
1,069
Diarrhoea
1,023
Constipation
888
Nausea
724
Headache
701
Pain
666
Dyspnoea
578
Asthenia
505
Dizziness
489
Rash
457
Age groups
Elderly · 1,082Adult · 569Child · 3Neonate · 1

Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Psyllium in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Psyllium recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Psyllium recalls since July 2021.

✅No Psyllium recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Psyllium RxCUI 8928 3 dose forms · 14 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 204593 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 400 MG RxCUI 1791065 500 MG RxCUI 199180 520 MG RxCUI 581417 525 MG RxCUI 1150284
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Wafer RxCUI 373696 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 2000 MG RxCUI 2277603 2500 MG RxCUI 1989202 3400 MG RxCUI 283215
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Powder for Oral Suspension RxCUI 1873468 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 2450 MG RxCUI 2049453 3000 MG RxCUI 2637101 3400 MG RxCUI 824586 3500 MG RxCUI 1095545 4100 MG RxCUI 849683 4200 MG RxCUI 2636943 6000 MG RxCUI 1095534

Look up RxCUI 8928 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Psyllium brand names

Psyllium is sold under 16 brand names in the FDA directory — Alramucil, Cilium, Fiberall, Genfiber and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Alramucil Cilium Fiberall Genfiber Hydrocil Konsyl Maalox Daily Fiber Therapy Metamucil Natural Fiber Therapy Natural Vegetable Perdiem Fiber Reguloid Serutan Syllact Uni-Laxative V-Lax

Who makes Psyllium: manufacturers and labelers

15 companies list Psyllium products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Meijer Distribution Inc, Raritan Pharmaceuticals Inc, Best Choice (valu Merchandisers Company). Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Meijer Distribution Inc 7 Raritan Pharmaceuticals Inc 5 Best Choice (valu Merchandisers Company) 3 Pharmacy Value Alliance, Llc 3 Publix Super Markets, Inc 3 Target Corporation 3 Foodhold Usa 2 The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company 2 Atlantic Biologicals Corp. 1 Chain Drug Consortium, LLC 1 Lidl Us, Llc 1 Pharmadel LLC 1 Quality Choice (chain Drug Marketing Association) 1 Sam's West Inc 1 Topco Associates Llc 1

Sources for this Psyllium page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Jul 17, 2026
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Psyllium.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Psyllium after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
37
Finished products in the current FDA directory
35
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
15
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
14
Linked representative label ⓘ
Best Choice (valu Merchandisers Company)
Linked label effective
Jul 17, 2026
Composite sections available
7
Linked SPL Set ID
92b46689-b5fc-41f4-91ac-535699900b39
Linked SPL Document ID
53e6546d-3ae5-4396-acac-a0989026f0b3
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Best Choice (valu Merchandisers Company) is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →