4.1. Therapeutic indications

Clinical Indication: for the treatment of patients requiring a high fibre regimen: for example, for the relief of constipation, including constipation in pregnancy and the maintenance of regularity; for the management of bowel function in patients with haemorrhoids.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

If there have been no bowel movements after three days of treatment a doctor or healthcare professional should be consulted. (See section 4.4 'Special warnings and precautions

Posology

Adults: One sachet, morning and evening.

Elderly: There is no indication that dosage needs to be modified for the elderly.

Paediatric Population

Children over 12 years: One sachet, morning and evening

Children aged 6 to 12 years: Half to one level 5ml spoonful depending on size and age, morning and evening.

Children under 6: The use in children under 6 years of age is not recommended (See section 4.4 'Special warnings and precautions for use').

The effect start 12-24hours later.

Method of Administration

This medicine is intended for oral use as a suspension in a drink of water. (See section 4.4) The granules should be stirred into a glass of water and taken as soon as possible, preferably after meals.

The product should be taken during the day at least ½ to 1 hour before or after intake of other medicines and should not be taken immediately before going to sleep.

When preparing the product for administration, it is important to try to avoid inhaling any of the powder in order to minimize the risk of sensitisation to the active ingredient.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to ispaghula husk or to any of the excipients listed in Section 6.1 (See Section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).

Patients with a sudden change in bowel habit that has persisted more than two weeks.

Undiagnosed rectal bleeding and failure to defecate following the use of a laxative.

This medicine is contra-indicated in patients suffering from abnormal constrictions in the gastro-intestinal tract, with diseases of the oesophagus and cardia, intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction, natural or drug-induced reduction of gut motility and colonic atony such as senile mega-colon.

Patients who have difficulty in swallowing or any throat problems.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

The product should not be taken dry and should always be taken mixed with fluid (5 fluid ounces or 150 mL of water or other liquid per sachet).

Ispaghula husk should not be used by patients with faecal impaction and symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting unless advised by a doctor because these symptoms can be signs of potential or existing intestinal blockage (ileus).

If abdominal pain occurs or in cases of any irregularity of faeces, the use of psyllium seed should be discontinued and medical advice must be sought.

When taken with inadequate fluid amounts, bulk forming agents can cause obstruction of the throat and oesophagus with choking and intestinal obstruction. Symptoms can be chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty in swallowing or breathing.

The treatment of debilitated patients and / or elderly patients requires medical supervision.

In order to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction ispaghula husk should not be used together with medicinal products known to inhibit peristaltic movement (e.g. opioids) and then only under medical supervision.

The last dose should not be taken immediately before going to sleep since impaired or reduced gastric motility may impair the intestinal passage and then cause sub-obstruction.

This medicine contains 16mg aspartame in each sachet.

Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine. It may be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder in which phenylalanine builds up because the body cannot remove it properly.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) in each sachet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

This medicine contains 0.25 mmol (or 9.76 mg) potassium per sachet. To be taken into consideration by patients with reduced kidney function or patients on a controlled potassium diet.

If symptoms persist longer than 3 days, the patient should consult a doctor or healthcare professional.

Warning on hypersensitivity reactions: In individuals with continued occupational contact to powder of Plantago ovata seeds (e.g. healthcare workers, caregivers) allergic sensitisation may occur due to inhalation; this is more frequent in atopic individuals. This sensitisation usually leads to hypersensitivity reactions which could be serious (See 4.8 Undesirable effects).

It is recommended to assess clinically the possible sensitisation of individuals at risk and, if justified, to perform specific diagnostic tests.

In case of proven sensitisation leading to hypersensitivity reactions, exposure to the product should be stopped immediately and avoided in the future (See 4.3 Contraindications).

Paediatric Population

Use is not recommended in children below 6 years of age due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy. Laxative bulk producers should be used before using other purgatives if change of nutrition is not successful.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Enteral absorption of concomitantly administered medicines such as minerals, vitamins (B12), cardiac glycosides, coumarin derivatives, carbamazepine and lithium may be delayed. For this reason the product should not be taken ½ to 1 hour before or after intake of other medicinal products.

Diabetic patients should take ispaghula husk only under medical supervision because adjustment of anti-diabetic therapy may be necessary.

Use of ispaghula husk concomitantly with thyroid hormones requires medical supervision because the dose of the thyroid hormones may have to be adjusted.

4.6. Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are limited amount of data (less than 300 pregnancy outcomes) from the use of ispaghula husk in pregnant women. Animal studies are insufficient with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3 Preclinical safety data).

Breast-feeding

The use of ispaghula husk may be considered during pregnancy and lactation, if necessary and if change of nutrition is not successful. Laxative bulk producers should be used before using other purgatives.

Fertility

No known effects

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Fybogel Hi-Fibre Lemon / Senokot Hi-Fibre Lemon has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Special attention should be given to individuals manipulating the powder formulations routinely (see 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).

Adverse events which have been associated with ispaghula are given below, tabulated by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: Very common (≥1/10); Common (≥1/100 and <1/10); Uncommon (≥1/1000 and <1/100); Rare (≥1/10,000 and <1/1000); Very rare (< 1/10,000); Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse events are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

System Organ Class

Frequency

Adverse Events

Immune System Disorders

Not known

Hypersensitivity disorders1,2

Eye Disorders

Not known

Conjunctivitis2

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders

Not known

Rhinitis2

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Not known

Flatulence, abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction, oesophageal obstruction, faecal impaction3

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Not known

Skin Rash2

Description of Selected Adverse Reactions

1 Including rash, anaphylaxis, pruritus, and bronchospasm

2 Ispaghula/psyllium husk contains potent allergens. The exposure to these allergens is possible through oral administration, contact with the skin and, in the case of powder formulations, also by inhalation. As a consequence to this allergic potential, individuals exposed to the product can develop hypersensitivity reactions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchospasm and in some cases, anaphylaxis. Cutaneous symptoms such as exanthema and/or pruritus have also been reported.

3 A small amount of flatulence and abdominal distension may sometimes occur during the first few days of treatment, but should diminish during continued treatment. Abdominal distension and risk of intestinal or oesophageal obstruction and faecal impaction may occur, particularly if swallowed with insufficient fluid.

Reporting of Suspected Adverse Reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

4.9. Overdose

Symptoms

Overdose with ispaghula husk may cause abdominal discomfort, flatulence and intestinal obstruction.

Management

Adequate fluid intake should be maintained and management should be symptomatic.