Constipation implies having less than 3 defecation per week. You may have straining during your defecation and a tough time passing hard, dry stools. When you deal with constipation, you may turn to an over the counter supplement, such as Benefiber or Metamucil. These supplements are brand-name variations of various types of fiber used to treat constipation.
Difference in benefiber and metamucil
Drug features
Benefiber and Metamucil operate in the same way. They soak up water from your intestinal tracts to form softer, bulkier stools. These stools flow more easily through your digestive system, which helps you have easier bowel movements. These supplements also increase how frequently you have bowel movements.
In addition to treating constipation, Metamucil might also help decrease your cholesterol levels. Benefiber, on the other hand, is not approved for this use.
Fiber can also reduce your hunger by making you feel fuller for a longer time. However, these fiber supplements do not appear to help with weight loss directly.
Dose
You can take Benefiber or Metamucil approximately 3 times per day, however you should increase how often you take it slowly. Start by taking it once every day. You can work up to taking the supplement three times per day over the course of one to two weeks.
Benefiber
Benefiber can be found in as a powder. The basic adult dose of Benefiber is two teaspoons. You can blend the powder with 4 to eight ounces of a beverage, such as:
- water
- coffee
- juice.
Stir well up until the powder liquifies, which will take about one minute. Then drink the mix.
You can also blend Benefiber with hot or cold soft foods, such as:
- applesauce
- pudding
- yogurt.
See also: Food With Highest Fiber.
Metamucil
Metamucil can be found in powder, pill, and wafer types.
Powder
The conventional adult dosage of Metamucil powder is one rounded teaspoon blended with a minimum of 8 ounces of a cool liquid, such as:
- water
- coffee
- juice.
Stir the mixture well then drink it.
Pills
The standard adult dosage for the pills is two to five capsules per serving. Start with two pills per serving to see how it affects you (don’t despair), and after that increase your dose if required. You can take up to 4 portions per day.
Wafers
The typical dose is two wafers with a minimum of eight ounces of a hot or cold drink. You can have up to three portions daily.
In children
The dosage for Metamucil or Benefiber for children who are 12-17 years old is the same as the adult dose.
Children who are 6-11 years old can take one teaspoon of Benefiber combined with 4 to eight ounces of a drink or soft food. For Metamucil powder, they can take 1/2 teaspoon combined with 8 ounces of a drink. Ask your child’s doctor what the proper dose is for your child if you’re using the Metamucil pills or wafers.
For children who are 5 years or younger, ask their doctor for the suggested dosage of Benefiber and Metamucil.
Children can take either supplement as much as three times daily. However, you need to increase how often they take the supplement slowly: It ought to take one to two weeks to reach the optimum dose each day.
Side Effects Benefiber and Metamucil
Benefiber and Metamucil can cause comparable side effects, such as stomach cramping and gas. These impacts may be more likely when you first start taking the supplement. Gas and stomach cramping have the tendency to disappear after a few weeks, however you can help reduce these side effects by increasing your dosage slowly over one to two weeks. Consuming plenty of fluids while taking these supplements can also help relieve side effects.
In uncommon cases, these supplements can cause serious side effects. These can include gastrointestinal (GI) obstructions.
Interactions
Benefiber and Metamucil may impact how well other medications operate in your body. This is due to the fact that they can reduce how well your body takes in some medications. This means the drugs might not work too. If you take a prescription drug by mouth, take Benefiber or Metamucil a minimum of two hours prior to or 2 hours after taking your medication.
Benefiber and Metamucil may cause other interactions with prescription or over-the-counter drugs and other supplements. Make sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor about possible interactions prior to you begin taking Benefiber or Metamucil.
Conditions of issue
You should not use these supplements if you have a severe stomach problem. These include:
- appendicitis
- ulcers
- esophageal perforation
- GI obstruction.
Talk to your doctor if you have any stomach pain, queasiness, or vomiting prior to you take Benefiber or Metamucil. These symptoms might mean you have an intense GI concern, and Benefiber or Metamucil could make your condition worse.
Pharmacist’s guidance
To help fight constipation, you can add Benefiber or Metamucil to your diet. These supplements can improve your bowel consistency. The following pointers can help you get the best results:
- Ensure you blend Metamucil with sufficient water. Taking it without adequate water can cause it to obtain very thick, which may cause choking.
- You can reduce your possibility of side effects by slowly increasing your dose of either supplement over one to two weeks.
- You must stop using Benefiber or Metamucil and talk to your doctor if your constipation lasts more than 7 days.
- You should likewise call your doctor if you have bleeding after any defecation. Bleeding ways you could have a bowel obstruction, perforation, or hemorrhoids.
