What happens if you overdose on metamucil

Book an Appointment. Health Packages. Toggle navigation. Metamucil may also lower cholesterol when used together with low cholesterol and saturated fat diet. It increases the bulk of your stool, an effect that helps to cause bowel movements. It also increases the levels of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass. Psyllium, a type of bulk-forming laxative, has also been used along with a proper diet to treat high cholesterol. Metamucil Side effects Some of the common side effects of Metamucil are: Bloating Minor change in bowel habits Some of the serious side effects of Metamucil are: Constipation which lasts more than 5 days Rectal Bleeding Severe Stomach pain If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance.

In any case, due to Metamucil if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it. A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects.

Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Metamucil side effects. Precautions: Before using Metamucil talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications.

The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems. Before using the medication talk with your doctor if you are having any serious medical conditions such as: Stomach or Intestinal problems Difficulty in Swallowing Appendicitis Any change in bowel movements Bleeding from the rectum How to take Metamucil?

Take this medicine by mouth as directed by your doctor. If you are self-handling, follow all directions on the product package. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you take the wafers, chew them thoroughly before swallowing. For powder forms of this medicine, measure each dose according to the directions on the label of the product.

You can add more liquid to the mixture if it becomes too thick. The skipped dose causes no problem. While it's unlikely that you would overdose on Metamucil, you should follow the recommended dosages for the various Metamucil products, which are listed on the product label and on the product website.

Taking too much Metamucil can cause Metamucil overdose symptoms which can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or other symptoms of an overly high fiber diet.

In addition, some Metamucil products contain potassium, which should not be taken in high doses. Keep the product out of the reach of children. According to the MedlinePlus , Metamucil, or any psyllium fiber product should be safe for most people to take, as long as you follow the recommended dose on the label.

In addition to potential GI symptoms if you take large amounts, you may also run the risk of interaction with some medications or iron supplements. If you take Tegretol or lithium, as well as medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, blood thinners, ask your doctor about any potential interaction with Metamucil.

Read more: Easy Food Substitutes for Psyllium. Because of Metamucil's health benefits, it can be taken every day as part of a healthy diet that includes other sources of fiber. The recommendation for fiber is about 25 grams per day for women and about 38 grams per day for men. Most people don't eat enough, so adding a fiber supplement can help to fill in this fiber gap. A March article in Nutrition Today describes the benefits of meeting that daily fiber goal, but the author also cautions that it's important to obtain a variety of types of fiber, most of which should come from food.

Take Metamucil with at least 8 ounces of water or another liquid. If the powder is too thick and causes difficulty swallowing, add extra liquid to thin the mixture. Do not take more than recommended on the label or prescribed by your doctor. Psyllium can inhibit the absorption of some medications, so take medication at least two hours before or after taking Metamucil. Until then, it's very common to experience feelings of gas, bloating and even constipation.

Fortunately, this comes with an easy fix: Introduce psyllium husk as a supplement gradually, instead of all at once. A gradual increase in fiber consumption will diminish, or even eliminate, the unfortunate side effects you might experience if you suddenly start taking large doses.

When you take psyllium husk as a supplement, you're supposed to accompany it with quite a bit of water; this is what turns the soluble psyllium fiber into a gel-like substance. If you skimp on the water, you may experience two problems. First, it'll be hard to get the psyllium down.

Second, supplement manufacturers warn of a potential choking hazard if the psyllium "bulks" absorbs water in your throat, and several cases of bowel obstruction have been reported after regular consumption of psyllium with inadequate water or in people with impaired gastrointestinal motility. Although it's rare, there have been a few reports of anaphylaxis, or a severe allergic reaction, in people who consume cereals that contain psyllium.