Metamucil - OK to take with meds /vitamins ??

Hello all,

I have been taking my metamucil capsules with breakfast and with dinner (5 each meal as suggested). Seems to be helping somewhat, still feel a bit constipated though and may increase to 15 per day (5 with each meal) to see if that helps.. Any suggestions here ??

Also, is it ok to take the metamucil along with my mezavant (5-asa) and all my other vitamins (vitamin d, probiotics, garlic, etc??) in the morning after breakfast?? Btw I have also recently started vyvanse (similar to ritalin) for my ADD which I also take in the morning after breakfast..

My tummy is very sensitive so I like to take as many things with food as possible.. I need to take my mezavant with food, so take it after breakfast and after dinner. Vyvanse is also supposed to be with food. Not sure if metamucil is or not. I really need to be careful as its a slippery slope out of this 3 month flare (worst one ever)..

On a positive note, I believe that I am finally heading back into remission, thanks to everyones help here, what an amazing forum and a great group of people, thanks SOOOO much
Very few symptoms overall, besides the cramping which comes and goes, still no idea why LOL...

I am still doing enemas every night (but plan to cut back to every second day in 1-2 weeks - that will make a total of 6 weeks on nightly enemas), and taking the oral 5-asa as well..

Have an amazing weekend
Hanz

Psyllium in the capsules is considered a food product and with meals, it's fine to take your meds...unless meds state do not take with food...take those a half hour before you eat.


q

Somebody said...
Precautions:

Because supplements may have side effects or interact with medications, you should take them only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Psyllium supplements may reduce or delay the absorption of certain medications (See Possible Interactions). As a rule, you should not take psyllium supplements at the same time as other medications. Take psyllium at least 1 hour before or 2 - 4 hours after taking other medications.


Possible Interactions:

If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use psyllium supplements without first talking to your health care provider.

Antidepressant medications, Tricyclics -- Dietary fiber has been shown to lower the blood levels and effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressant medications in some patients. If you take tricyclic antidepressants, talk to your doctor before taking psyllium. Tricyclic antidepressants include:

* Amitriptyline (Elavil)
* Doxepin (Sinequan)
* Imipramine (Tofranil)

Carbemazepine (Tegretol) -- Taking psyllium with carbamazepine, a medication used to treat seizures, may decrease the absorption and effectiveness of carbamazepine.

Cholesterol-lowering medications (bile acid sequestrants) -- Taking psyllium with the cholesterol-lowering medications called bile acid sequestrants may help further lower cholesterol levels and may reduce side effects of colestipol. Talk to your doctor about whether this may be an option for you. Bile acid sequestrants include:

* Cholestyramine (Questram)
* Colestipol (Colestid)

Diabetes medications -- Fiber supplements may reduce levels of blood sugar, making the possibility of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) more likely. Talk to your doctor before taking fiber supplements, as your dose of diabetes medications may need to be adjusted.

Digoxin -- Fiber supplements may reduce the absorption of digoxin, a medication used to regulate heart function. You should not take fiber supplements at the same time as digoxin.

Lithium -- Psyllium may lower lithium levels in the blood, reducing the effectiveness of this medication. If you are taking both psyllium and lithium, you should take them at least 1 - 2 hours apart, and your doctor should closely monitor your lithium levels.

www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/psyllium-000321.htm

Somebody said...
Are there any drug interactions or restrictions with Metamucil?
Laxatives, including bulk fibers, may affect how well other medications work. If you are taking a prescription medication by mouth, take Metamucil at least two hours before or two hours after the prescribed medicine.

www.metamucil.com/drmetamucil/faqs/index.shtml#faq7

I also heard don't take psyllium husk with or near your med time.

Thanks so much everyone

When do you suggest one should take meds and then the fibre, and then eat and then...

There is no good answer...do the best you can do to remain sane without 50 watches and 50 timers.

I've had no problems and for sure my medication is getting to where it needs to go.

Take your meds a half hour before eating...that seems the simplest method if you're concerned.

q

quincy said...
When do you suggest one should take meds and then the fibre, and then eat and then...

There is no good answer...do the best you can do to remain sane without 50 watches and 50 timers.

I've had no problems and for sure my medication is getting to where it needs to go.

Take your meds a half hour before eating...that seems the simplest method if you're concerned.

q

not sure about you, but i don't really want to mess with the blob !

;-)


TT

Artist said...
Taking metamucil with meds is risky. Its not going to affect all meds, but since we don't know which ones, just avoid it. If you have to take it near the time you take meds, then try to time it an hour before or two hours after your medication administration. I take my metamucil at 4:30 before dinner; My meds are at 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM

My friend who was a pharmacist was writing a book wherein it talked about this. In particular were the concerns with heavy metals such as calcium, zinc, etc. and antibiotics in particular. But it also absorbs fats, so fatty vitamins could also be affected. Just take it by itself either side of medication timing.

Thank you, a registrar GI told me exactly the same thing (he looked it up in the literature on drug interactions when I asked). Especially meds which are absorbed in the colon, which 5 ASAs are, absorption can be impeded by the metamucil. Safer to take them at least 2 hours apart.