1. What is the supplement ingredient in Metamucil?
The active ingredient in Metamucil is psyllium husk, a natural plant fibre that is a great source of soluble and insoluble fibre.
2. How much soluble fibre from psyllium husk is in a single serving of Metamucil?
Metamucil powder formulations deliver approximately 2.4 g of soluble fibre per serving. Metamucil capsules deliver 1.8 g of soluble fibre.
3. How are the types of fibre different?
Soluble fibres dissolve in liquid and insoluble fibres do not dissolve in liquid. Soluble fibre is further subdivided into viscous and non-viscous fibre. Soluble non-viscous fibres dissolve entirely in liquid and serve only to increase daily fibre intake with no additional health benefits at normal serving sizes.
Viscous soluble fibre (such as the kind in Metamucil) forms a viscous gel. Insoluble fibres do not form gels and move through the GI tract largely intact. Most fibres are exclusively soluble or insoluble but not a mixture of both types. Psyllium husk is unique because it is rich in viscous soluble fibre (70-80%) and insoluble fibre. In fact, psyllium husk is one of the highest naturally occurring sources of viscous soluble fibre. Both types of fibre are important to a healthy diet.
4. How does psyllium fibre help maintain healthy blood sugar levels as part of my patients’ diet?*
Psyllium husk is a soluble viscous fibre that forms a viscous gel, which traps sugars as the gel moves through the intestines. Trapped sugars are slowly released and absorbed into the body helping maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
5. Do Capsules have the same benefits as other versions of Metamucil?
Metamucil Capsules, Powders, both contain psyllium husk. Please refer to their product detail pages for the details and benefits each product provides.
6. Why are so many Capsules required per serving?
Five Metamucil Capsules are approximately equivalent to one serving of Metamucil Powder. Depending on the benefits one wants to get from the product, one can use a different number of Capsules. For adding some dietary fibre to the diet, one can take as little as 2 Capsules per serving. For maintaining regularity or healthy blood sugar levels and helping to lower cholesterol, one will need more grams of soluble fibre from psyllium husk per serving. Please refer to serving information page for details.
7. How much sugar is in Metamucil products, and what effect would this have on a calorie-restricted diet?
Some powdered formulations of Metamucil contain sugar. Patients on a calorie-restricted diet should read the label to account for the calories per serving in Metamucil Powders (caloric content varies by specific product). There are, however, sugar free Metamucil Powders and Capsules that have fewer calories.
8. Are there any drug interactions or restrictions with Metamucil?
Bulk fibres may affect how well other medications work. If your patients are taking a prescription medication by mouth, they should take Metamucil at least two hours before or two hours after the prescribed medicine.
9. What are the exact medications one should be careful to separate by the recommended two-hour period?
All oral prescription medications are covered by this label precaution. Healthcare professionals wanting further information should call 1800 028 280.
10. Why is the serving size different for some versions of Metamucil Powders?
All Metamucil powder products contain the same amount of psyllium husk per serving—which equates to 2.4 grams of soluble fibre. However, serving size amounts differ by version because the sweeteners and flavourings used in each Metamucil product vary in volume and density.
11. In what flavours/varieties/forms is psyllium available in fibre products from Meta?
Currently, Metamucil is available in both powder and capsule forms. 5 flavours are available: natural (no flavour), orange (smooth/granular), wild berry, lemon lime. There are sugar-free variants: Orange Smooth Sugar-Free, Wild Berry Smooth Sugar-Free, Lemon Lime Sugar-Free. See our product list for more details.
12. Can I use Metamucil in a nasogastric (ng) tube? In a gastric (g) tube?
No. The product should be used per the label directions.
13. Where can I find information on Metamucil sodium/potassium/calorie/carbohydrate/fat/phenylalanine levels per serving?
You can consult our dosage and serving information page or call 1800 028 280. If you choose to call, additional information is available on elements such as phosphorus and magnesium content.
14. Do Metamucil products contain gluten?
All Metamucil Powders and Capsules are gluten-free (less than 20 ppm).
15. Which Metamucil products do not contain aspartame?
Metamucil Natural Granular Powder
Metamucil Orange Granular Powder
Metamucil Orange Smooth Powder
Metamucil Fibre Capsules
16. Which Metamucil has gelatin in it? Is it Kosher?
Metamucil Fibre Capsules contain gelatin. Metamucil has not gone through certification to be Kosher.
17. Does Metamucil cause diarrhea?
Unlike many other stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives, or mineral oil, Metamucil should not cause diarrhea when used as directed. On the contrary, Metamucil can absorb and retain water to make loose stools less watery. Many doctors believe that a bulk fiber can help make bowel movements more formed and less fluid. In at least eight studies done on Metamucil and psyllium (Metamucil's fiber ingredient), psyllium was shown to improve viscosity of loose stools and make stools firmer.
18. Are there sugar-free options for my patients?
Yes, Metamucil offers Orange Smooth Powder, Berry Smooth Powder, and Lemon Lime Smooth Powder (all with aspartame). Metamucil Fibre Capsules do not contain any sugar, sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners.
19. Can psyllium cause an allergic reaction?
This product may cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive to inhaled or ingested psyllium.