Identification
- Summary
Plantago seed is an ingredient used in a variety of natural health products.
- Brand Names
- Konsyl, Metamucil, Reguloid
- Generic Name
- Plantago seed
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB11097
- Background
Platango seeds refer to the seeds collected from various species of plantago trees. It is found in some laxatives for treating occasional constipation and restoring regularity in bowel movements. Its potential benefit in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis has been studied 1.
Regardless, this agent is most predominantly used as a gentle laxative agent in many parts of the world that is more commonly referred as psyllium or psyllium husk.
- Type
- Biotech
- Groups
- Approved, Investigational
- Synonyms
- Psyllium
- Psyllium husk
Pharmacology
- Indication
Indications include the treatment of patients needing a high fibre regime, perhaps for: (a) the relief of constipation, including constipation in pregnancy and the maintenance of regularity; (b) the management of bowel function in patients with colostomy, ileostomy, hemorrhoids, anal fissure, chronic diarrhea with diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis 3.
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- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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The active ingredient psyllium husk is comprised of the episperm and collapsed adjacent layers removed from the seeds of Plantago afar L. or Plantago indica L. 3. Psyllium husk is abundant in alimentary fibres and mucilages, with its mucilage content in particular being higher than that of other plantago species 3. Specifically, psyllium husk is capable of absorbing up to 40 times its own weight in water 3. Psyllium husk consists of 85% water-soluble fibre - it is subsequently partly fermentable (in vitro 72% unfermentable residue) and acts by hydration in the bowel 3.
Gastrointestinal tract motility and transit rate is capable of being modified by psyllium husk via mechanical stimulation of the gut wall as a result of the increase in intestinal bulk by water and the decrease in viscosity of the luminal contents 3. Taken with an adequate amount of liquid (at least 30 ml per 1 g of the agent), psyllium husk produces an increased volume of intestinal contents as a result of its highly bulking properties and therefore a stretch stimulus which triggers a defecation 3. Concurrently, the swollen mass of mucilage generates a lubricating layer that makes the transit of the intestinal contents easier 3.
- Mechanism of action
Psyllium seeds are comprised of dietary fibre which, when mixed with water forms a gel-like mass that works as a mild laxative Label. This gel-like mass subsequently moves down a patient's digestive system and makes stools softer by increasing their water contents Label. At the same time psyllium seed lubricates the intestine, which improves the transit of stools Label. Moreover, as the presence of the gel-like mass increases the stool bulk it also increases the tension and/or the stretch stimulus in the bowel wall which serves to trigger bowel movements Label.
The dietary fibre of which psyllium husk is comprised is fermented to various degrees by bacteria in the colon, resulting in production of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, water, and short chain fatty acids, which are absorbed and brought into the hepatic circulation 3. In humans, such fibre reaches the large bowel in a highly polymerized form that is fermented to a limited extent, resulting in increased fecal concentration and excretion of short chain fatty acids 3.
- Absorption
Psyllium husk is capable of hydration and swelling to form a mucilage because it is only partially solubilized 3. The polysaccharide dietary fibres of which psyllium husk is comprised of need to be hydrolyzed to monosaccharides before intestinal absorption can occur 3. The sugar residues of the xylan backbone and side chains are joined by beta-linkages however, which cannot be broken by human digestive enzymes 3.
Less than 10% of the mucilage gets hydrolyzed in the stomach, with formation of free arabinose 3. Intestinal absorption of the free arabinose is about 85% to 93% 3. As a consequence, psyllium remains predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract as a 'bulk' agent that passes largely unchanged throughout the gut 4. The agent has remarkable water holding capacity because of its high hemicellulose content 4.
- Volume of distribution
Psyllium husk when administered as intended largely undergoes little absorption into the body and plasma.
- Protein binding
The protein binding of psyllium husk is not formally documented at this time. Regardless, because psyllium husk is largely not adsorbed when administered, it is believed that the drug may not exhibit any kind of protein binding 2.
- Metabolism
As psyllium remains largely in the gut as a 'bulk' agent that passes predominantly unchanged throughout the gastrointestinal tract, there is little opportunity for marked absorption into or metabolism by the body 4.
- Route of elimination
Psyllium husk when administered as indicated is usually excreted in the faeces 2.
- Half-life
The half-life of psyllium husk is not formally documented at this time. Regardless, because psyllium husk is largely not adsorbed when administered, it is believed that the drug may not exhibit any kind of half-life 2.
- Clearance
Psyllium husk when administered as intended largely undergoes little absorption into the body and plasma.
- Adverse Effects
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Overdose with psyllium husk can cause abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and/or intestinal obstruction 3.
The LD50 of psyllium husk administered orally to mice has been observed in some studies to occur in doses up to 2940 mg/kg or 3360 mg/kg in rats 5.
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
Drug Interaction Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your softwareAcetazolamide The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Acetazolamide is combined with Plantago seed. Aclidinium The therapeutic efficacy of Plantago seed can be decreased when used in combination with Aclidinium. Alfentanil The therapeutic efficacy of Plantago seed can be decreased when used in combination with Alfentanil. Alloin The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Plantago seed is combined with Alloin. Amantadine The therapeutic efficacy of Plantago seed can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine. Amiloride The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Amiloride is combined with Plantago seed. Amiodarone The therapeutic efficacy of Plantago seed can be decreased when used in combination with Amiodarone. Amitriptyline The therapeutic efficacy of Plantago seed can be decreased when used in combination with Amitriptyline. Amlodipine The therapeutic efficacy of Plantago seed can be decreased when used in combination with Amlodipine. Amobarbital The therapeutic efficacy of Plantago seed can be decreased when used in combination with Amobarbital. 
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- Take with a full glass of water.
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Bekunis Light Granules Tablet 531 mg / g Oral Roha Arzneimittel Gmbh 1992-12-31 1999-03-04 Canada 
Best Choice Fiber Laxative Capsule 0.52 g/1 Oral Best Choice (Valu Merchandisers Company) 2019-05-16 Not applicable US 
Best Choice Fiber Therapy Orange Flavor Powder 3.4 g/12g Oral Best Choice (Valu Merchandisers Company) 2019-05-15 Not applicable US Best Choice Fiber Therapy original coarse Powder 3.4 g/7g Oral Best Choice (Valu Merchandisers Company) 2019-05-14 Not applicable US Bulk-forming Laxative Powder, for suspension 3.4 g/7g Oral Health Mart 2012-04-19 Not applicable US Careone Capsule 0.52 g/1 Oral Foodhold Usa 2019-04-16 Not applicable US CAREONE Orange Flavored Powder 3.4 g/5.8g Oral Foodhold Usa 2019-04-18 Not applicable US Clara Granule 2.45 g/5g Oral Handock Cosmetics Co., Ltd. 2017-03-03 Not applicable US Clara Granule 3.25 g/5g Oral Handock Cosmetics Inc 2011-11-11 2017-08-01 US Clara Granule 3.25 g/5g Oral Handock Cosmetics Inc 2011-08-26 Not applicable US - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Clara Plantago seed (2.45 g/5g) + Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit (0.45 g/5g) Granule Oral Handock Cosmetics Co., Ltd. 2017-03-03 Not applicable US Floralax Plantago seed (2.8 g / 5 g) + Wheat (1 g / 5 g) Powder Oral Flora Manufacturing And Distributing Ltd. 2002-08-29 2006-08-03 Canada Konsyl Overnight Relief Senna Prompt Plantago seed (500 mg/1) + Sennosides (9 mg/1) Capsule Oral Konsyl Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2011-04-01 2018-07-01 US Metamucil Therapy for Regularity Plantago seed (3.4 g/5.8g) + Plantago seed (3.4 g/5.8g) Kit Oral Procter And Gamble 1994-12-15 2016-08-11 US Metamucil Therapy for Regularity Plantago seed (3.4 g/12g) + Plantago seed (3.4 g/12g) Kit Oral Procter And Gamble 1989-03-31 2016-08-11 US Metamucil Therapy for Regularity Plantago seed (3.4 g/5.8g) + Plantago seed (3.4 g/5.8g) Kit Oral Procter And Gamble 1994-12-15 2016-08-11 US Metamucil Therapy for Regularity Plantago seed (3.4 g/12g) + Plantago seed (3.4 g/12g) Kit Oral Procter And Gamble 1989-03-31 2016-08-11 US Multilax 1 Cap Plantago seed (378 mg / cap) + Senna leaf (92 mg / cap) Capsule Oral Nature's Way Of Canada Ltd. 1984-12-31 2004-07-26 Canada Prodiem Plus Plantago seed (542 mg / g) + Senna leaf (124 mg / g) Powder Oral Novartis 1996-07-30 2006-07-04 Canada Prodiem Plus Powder Plantago seed (542 mg / g) + Senna leaf (124 mg / g) Powder Oral Rhone Poulenc Rorer 1993-12-31 1997-08-13 Canada - Unapproved/Other Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Clara Plantago seed (3.25 g/5g) Granule Oral Handock Cosmetics Inc 2011-08-26 Not applicable US Clara Plantago seed (3.25 g/5g) Granule Oral Handock Cosmetics Inc 2011-11-11 2017-08-01 US Clara Plantago seed (2.45 g/5g) + Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit (0.45 g/5g) Granule Oral Handock Cosmetics Co., Ltd. 2017-03-03 Not applicable US
Categories
- Drug Categories
- Classification
- Not classified
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- 9C60Y73166
- CAS number
- 8063-16-9
References
- General References
- Fernandez-Banares F, Hinojosa J, Sanchez-Lombrana JL, Navarro E, Martinez-Salmeron JF, Garcia-Puges A, Gonzalez-Huix F, Riera J, Gonzalez-Lara V, Dominguez-Abascal F, Gine JJ, Moles J, Gomollon F, Gassull MA: Randomized clinical trial of Plantago ovata seeds (dietary fiber) as compared with mesalamine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. Spanish Group for the Study of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU). Am J Gastroenterol. 1999 Feb;94(2):427-33. [Article]
- Jennifer J. Yeager, Mary Beth Winton, Linda E. McCuistion, Kathleen DiMaggio (2018). Pharmacology: A Patient-Centered Nursing Process Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences. [ISBN:9780323399166]
- Electronic Medicines Compendium: Fybogel Orange Monograph [Link]
- Sigma Aldrich: Psyllium Profile [Link]
- European Medicines Agency: Community Herbal Monograph on Plantago afar L. et. Plantago indica L., semen [Link]
- DailyMed: Metamucil (psylllium husk) fiber therapy [Link]
- External Links
- FDA label
- Download (85.2 KB)
- MSDS
- Download (47.2 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 4 Completed Prevention Constipation / Incontinence 1 4 Completed Treatment Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) 1 4 Completed Treatment High Cholesterol 1 4 Completed Treatment Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus 1 2 Terminated Supportive Care Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-C) 1 2, 3 Completed Treatment Fecal Incontinence 1 Not Available Completed Other Constipation 1 Not Available Completed Prevention Functional Disorder of Intestine 1 Not Available Completed Treatment Functional Colonic Diseases 1
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Capsule Oral 500 mg / cap Tablet Oral 531 mg / g Granule Oral Granule Oral 2.45 g/5g Granule Oral 3.25 g/5g Powder Oral 6 g / tsp Powder Oral 6 g/6.0g Powder Oral 3.4 g/7.2g Powder Oral 3.4 g/5.89g Powder Oral 3.4 g/5.78g Powder Oral 480 mg / g Powder, for solution Oral 100 % Granule, for solution Oral 3.4 g/7g Granule, for solution Oral 3.4 g/12g Granule, for solution Oral 3.5 g/5.8g Capsule Oral 0.52 g/1 Capsule Oral 520 mg/1 Powder, for suspension Oral 3.4 g/7g Granule, for solution Oral 3.4 g/5.4g Powder Oral 7 g / 15 mL Powder, for suspension Oral 4.2 g Powder Oral 3 g / 15 g Powder Oral 3.5 g / 7 g Powder Oral 3.5 g / 6 g Powder Oral 3.4 g / 7 g Capsule Oral 435 mg / cap Powder Oral 2.4 g / 5 g Powder Oral 100 % Powder, for solution Oral 6 g / 5 mL Capsule Oral 610 mg / cap Powder Oral 33 % Granule, effervescent Oral 150 G Granule, effervescent Oral 5.5 G Granule, effervescent Oral Granule, for solution Oral Granule Oral 70 g Liquid Oral Powder Oral Powder Oral 136 g / 240 g Powder Oral 16 g / 20 g Powder, for solution Oral 3.4 g/7g Capsule Oral .52 g/1 Granule Oral 2.75 g/5g Powder, for suspension Oral 3.4 g/5.8g Powder Oral 1 g/1g Powder Oral 50 % Capsule Oral 20 mg/1 Powder Oral 6 g/6g Granule Oral 4.3 g/6g Granule Oral 3.4 g/6.5g Granule Oral 6 g/9g Powder Topical 60 mg/1g Granule Oral 3.4 g/11g Granule Oral 3.4 g/12g Granule Oral 6 g/6g Capsule Oral Powder Oral 3.5 g/5.8g Granule Oral 3.5 g/5.8g Powder Topical 3.5 g/5.8g Powder Oral 475 mg / g Powder Oral 484 mg / g Powder Oral 5270 mg Powder, for solution Oral 3.4 g / 5 mL Powder Oral 3.4 g / 12 g Powder Oral 3.4 g / 5.8 g Kit Oral Powder Oral 3.3 g/5.95g Powder Oral 3.4 g/12g Powder Oral 2.45 g/5g Powder Oral 3.5 g/5g Capsule Oral 600 mg / cap Powder Oral 3400 mg/1g Granule Oral 3.4 g/100g Powder Oral 300 mg / g Powder Oral 600 mg / g Powder Oral 3 g / 6.2 g Powder Oral 3.4 g/11g Powder Oral 3.4 g/5.8g Powder Oral 3.4 g/7g Powder Oral 3.4 g/5.4g Liquid Oral 3 g / 5 mL Powder Oral 15 g/99g Powder Oral 5312 mg / 5.5 g Powder, for solution Oral 3.4 g/100g Powder Oral 3.4 g/5.79g Powder, for suspension Oral 3.4 g/11g Powder, for suspension Oral Powder Oral 672 mg / g Powder, for solution Oral 3.4 g/5.8g Powder Oral Powder Oral 1.5 g / 5 mL Powder Oral 2.4 g/12g Powder, for suspension Oral 5 g Powder, for solution Oral 750 mg / g Capsule Oral 630 mg / cap Powder, for solution Oral 3.4 g/5g Powder, for solution Oral 3.4 g/12g Granule, for solution Oral 3.4 g/100g Powder, for solution Oral 0.486 g/1g Powder, for solution Oral 0.604 g/1g Powder, for suspension Oral 3.4 g/12g Powder Oral 85.92 g Granule, effervescent Oral 3.5 g/1 Powder, for solution Oral Powder Oral 4.67 g / 6 g Granule Capsule Oral 520 mg - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Not Available
- Experimental Properties
- Not Available
Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:51 / Updated at February 04, 2023 13:36