How to Take Psyllium Husk

Co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: December 4, 2024 Fact Checked

Powdered psyllium husk or psyllium husk wafers are a source of soluble fiber that can help treat common digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome. Psyllium husk absorbs water as it goes through the digestive tract, adding bulk. Some studies have suggested that it can also reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol by adding more fiber to the diet. Keep reading to learn how to take psyllium husk.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Psyllium Husk Product

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1
Understand the uses of psyllium husk. Psyllium husk is a source of soluble fiber. It is often used for occasional constipation and to help restore regularity. Psyllium husk works by absorbing water in your digestive tract, forming a bulky gelatin-like mass that transports waste, stimulates digestion, and helps quicken the passage of stool. For this reason, psyllium husk is known as a bulk-forming laxative.^{[1]
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- Psyllium husk is also used to help treat irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. These conditions cause pain and digestive problems that may be alleviated by incorporating psyllium husk into your daily routine.
2
Call your doctor before you purchase a psyllium husk product. Your doctor may advise against taking psyllium husk products if you are on any medications. Psyllium can reduce the absorption of medications into the digestive system and may interact with tricyclic antidepressants, carbamazepine, cholesterol-lowering medications, diabetes medications, digoxin, lithium, and aspirin.^{[2]
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- If your doctor says it's okay to take psyllium husk with your medications, they may recommend taking psyllium husk at least 3 hours before or after taking your other medications.
- The time between taking psyllium husk and your medications will reduce the likelihood that the psyllium will affect your medication absorption.
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3
Choose a psyllium husk product that suits your needs. You can get psyllium husk in various forms, from powders to cookies. Pure psyllium husk powder has a sawdust-like texture that some people find unpleasant, so it is also available in flavored and easily dissolvable forms. The advantage of these products is that they have a more pleasant taste and texture than pure psyllium husk.^{[3]
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- Psyllium products like Metamucil are known as blond psyllium and often contain sugar and other additives. You can purchase flavored Metamucil powder to mix with water or even get cookies or wafers that contain psyllium husk.
- If you prefer, purchase a 100% psyllium husk powder product at a health food or nutrition store. This type of psyllium husk has no flavor or added sugar, so it is best to mix it with water or juice.
Ensure you understand the dosage instructions and contraindications of the product before leaving the store. Ask a pharmacist if you have any questions about the product and whether or not it may interact with your medications.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Taking Psyllium Husk

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1
Review any instructions before taking a psyllium husk powder. Some products may not be compatible with certain medications or chronic conditions. In addition, dosages differ with each product.^{[5]
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MedlinePlus
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Go to source} Most psyllium husk products can be taken one to three times daily.
- Your doctor may suggest a higher dosage to relieve severe constipation or diarrhea or if you are using it for other issues.
2
Add psyllium husk powder to your diet slowly. It’s better to slowly add fiber to your diet to decrease discomfort, bloating, and gas. Measure a low dose—½ tsp (2.8 g) to 1 tsp (5 g) the first time you take psyllium powder and increase the amount by ½ teaspoon (2.8 g) gradually as needed or until you can take the recommended dosage.^{[6]
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- Don’t take more than the label on your psyllium product says to take.
3
Mix the psyllium husk powder with 8 oz (240 mL) of water or juice. Stir it well for about 10 seconds, and add more liquid if it looks too thick. Do not allow the mixture to sit after you have mixed it because it will begin to form a gel that may be difficult to swallow.^{[7]
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- Additionally, drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily to avoid constipation while taking psyllium powder.
Psyllium husk becomes bulky after a short time and can create a choking hazard if taken in a semi-solid form. Ensure that you have used enough liquid and drink the mixture immediately to avoid this potential hazard.^{[8]
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Research source} If your psyllium husk mixture is gel-like, throw it out and mix a new batch.
5
Increase the dosage to 2 tsp (10 g) of psyllium powder after 1 to 2 weeks. If you take multiple doses of psyllium husk, try to space out your doses throughout the day. For example, you could take one dose of psyllium husk in the morning, one at midday, and one in the evening. Generally, single 5 g (1 tsp) to 10 g (2 tsp) doses of psyllium husk powder are considered safe for adults, though there’s no universal guideline.^{[9]
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- Your doctor may suggest a higher dosage to relieve severe constipation or diarrhea. Do not exceed the recommended dosage unless your doctor has told you to do so.
- To treat high cholesterol, 10 g (2 tsp) to 12 g (3 tsp) of psyllium may be prescribed. This is usually broken up into smaller doses taken with 8 oz (240 mL) to 16 oz (473 mL) of water throughout the day.^{[10]
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- If you think that you may have overdosed on psyllium, contact your local poison control center by calling 1-800-222-1222.^{[11]
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  U.S. National Capital Poison Center
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Wafers may also be preferable if you dislike the taste of the drink mix. Take small bites and chew each bite very well. Drink a glass of water or juice with the wafer. This will ensure it starts to bulk up when it reaches your stomach.^{[12]
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Read the product instructions to determine how many capsules you should take per dose and how many doses you should take per day. Take the capsules with an 8 oz (240 mL) glass of water.^{[13]
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8
Be patient if you are using psyllium husk for constipation. It may take up to 3 days for your symptoms to improve. Your stools should be softer and more frequent. If your doctor has recommended psyllium husk to you, keep using it as directed.^{[14]
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- Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 to 5 days of treatment. Do not use psyllium husk products for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
9
Make other lifestyle changes to help with constipation. If you are planning to take psyllium to help with constipation, make sure that you incorporate some other positive lifestyle changes as well. Constipation means you have three or fewer bowel movements per week, and your stool is hard and difficult to pass. If you have constipation, try these lifestyle changes:^{[15]
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- Drink plenty of fluids. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that the daily fluid intake should be about 15.5 cups (3.7 L) for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 L) for women.^{[16]
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- Increase your intake of dietary fiber. Fruits such as pears, berries, prunes, and apples are high in fiber. Beans, sweet potatoes, spinach, and whole grains are also good sources.
- Avoid high sugar or high fat, processed foods. These include white breads, doughnuts, sausage, fast food, and french fries.^{[17]
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- Use the restroom when you need to go. Holding or delaying going to the restroom can make constipation worse. Your stool may be harder, and if you delay, your body may not be ready to defecate later on.
- Exercise daily. Exercise can help stimulate your digestive tract, which will help your body process food.

Part 3

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Knowing When to Call a Doctor

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If you have continuous constipation lasting more than a week, you should call your doctor immediately. You should also call your doctor if you have any other drastic changes in your bowel habits, such as bloody stools or bleeding from your rectum. These symptoms may indicate a serious problem that requires medical treatment.^{[18]
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2
Call your doctor if you experience mild side effects from the psyllium husk. Some people experience negative side effects and mild allergic reactions to psyllium husk. Discontinue using psyllium husk products, and call your doctor if you have any of these mild side effects. Some of the side effects that you should watch for include:^{[19]
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- Gas
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Backache
- Cough
3
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects. In some cases, an adverse or allergic reaction to psyllium husk may create a dangerous or life-threatening situation. If you experience any severe symptoms after taking psyllium husk, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away. The severe symptoms that you should watch for include:^{[20]
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- Flushing
- Severe itching
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Swelling of the face or body
- Chest and throat tightness
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
- Vomiting

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Tips

Try a different psyllium husk product if you do not like the first one. Some psyllium husk powders are flavorless and dissolve so well that they can even be added to soup, ice cream, and yogurt.

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Warnings

Don't give psyllium husk products to children. They should receive their entire fiber intake through a healthy diet.^{[21]
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Avoid using psyllium husk products as a replacement for dietary fiber. Dietary sources of natural fiber include oatmeal, lentils, apples, oranges, oat bran, pears, strawberries, nuts, flaxseed, beans, blueberries, cucumbers, celery, and carrots.^{[22]
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