Metamucil For Kids: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, And Precautions

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Fiber is an essential component of the diet. It promotes gut health by improving satiety from food and affecting the easy passage of stools. Additionally, it benefits the heart by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) levels, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetesⁱA condition identified by impaired glucose metabolism in the body because of insufficient insulin production or insulin resistance by lowering glucose levels, and helps in body weight control (1).

Metamucil is a dietary fiber supplement containing 100% natural psyllium husk, which comes from the psyllium plant (2). It is available over the counter (OTC) for relief from occasional constipation (3). This post talks about the safe use of Metamucil for kids, its side effects, and precautions.

In This Article

Can Children Take Metamucil?

Yes, Metamucil is available OTC for both adults and children as fiber therapy for bowel regularity in constipation, which is two or fewer episodes of motion per week with the passing of hard stools with pain or straining (3).

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should have a fiber intake in the range equivalent to a child’s age plus five grams per day to a child’s age plus ten grams per day. Lesser amounts of fiber may cause constipation in children (4). The psyllium in Metamucil is a bulk-forming laxative that helps in bowel movement. It helps stool hold water, making it softer and easier to pass (5).
The fiber also acts as a prebiotic that helps promote healthy gut bacteria growth in the gut and improve overall digestion.

Did you know?

A study found that psyllium fiber may help decrease abdominal pain frequency in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (11). However, further studies are needed to validate the effectiveness.

Who Should Not Take Metamucil?

Talk to a doctor before giving Metamucil to your child

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Metamucil may be used as a fiber supplement for most children. Nevertheless, you should talk to a doctor before administering psyllium-containing preparations to ensure your child’s wellness. Your child may need to avoid it in the following cases (6).

Your child has food or drug allergies.
The product contains phenylalanineⁱAn essential amino acid found in dairy and plant proteins . Therefore, it may not be suitable for children with phenylketonuriaⁱAn inherited condition that causes an inability to metabolize phenylalanine (PKU).

What Is The Metamucil Dosage For Children?

Mix Metamucil in cool milk and serve immediately to the child

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Each teaspoonful of Metamucil contains approximately 3.4 grams of soluble fiber (psyllium husk). Other ingredients include aspartameⁱAn artificial sweetener , citric acid, maltodextrinⁱA highly processed polysaccharide made from plant starch and is light for digestion , natural and artificial orange flavor, and color.

You should start with one dose a day with or without food. It usually acts in 12 to 72 hours if given in doses as per the following table (3).

Age (years)	Dose
6-11	Half a teaspoon in 8 ounces (240ml) of liquid up to three times daily
12 and older	One rounded teaspoon in 8 ounces (240ml) of liquid up to three times daily

Consult a doctor if your child is below six years of age or if symptoms persist. You may pick any liquid of your choice, such as cool milk or fruit juice, although water might be an appropriate choice considering Metamucil has some added flavors. Stir and serve it to the child immediately.

Metamucil is also available as capsules, flavored wafers (crunchy fiber snacks), and gummies, containing four to five grams of psyllium per serving as claimed by the product label (7). You may consult a doctor if you wish to serve Metamucil in other forms since the dosage may vary.

Children often refuse medicines because of their plain look and bitter aftertaste. Therefore, the variety of colors and flavors available in Metamucil may make this medicine child-friendly. Also, the availability of Metamucil in different forms – powdered forms, gummies, and capsules, gives children an option to choose depending on their preference and tolerance.

Be watchful

If your child is taking Metamucil capsules, ensure they swallow it whole. Also, if your child is prescribed more than one capsule per dose, ensure they swallow only one capsule at a time (6).

What Are The Side Effects Of Metamucil In Children?

Serious adverse effects are rare with Metamucil. However, common metamucil side effects due to psyllium include (8):

Bloating
Stomach pain

Children may have stomach pain due to Metamucil

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Stomach cramps
Changes in bowel habits

Talk to a pediatrician if these cause discomfort to your child or do not go away. Immediate medical attention is necessary if symptoms of allergic reactions are seen, such as (6):

Rash
Redness or itching

Talk to a doctor if your child has allergic reactions

Image: IStock

Swelling of face, lips, or tongue
Hives
Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
Wheezing

What Precautions To Take When Using Metamucil For Children?

Most children can have Metamucil safely. However, you should consult a doctor before adding Metamucil to your child’s routine if your child has symptoms such as (6):

Rectal bleeding
Severe stomach pain
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty in swallowing
Fecal impaction (stool stuck in colon or rectum)
Two weeks or more of a sudden change in bowel habits

Once you decide to give your child Metamucil for easing constipation or as a dietary supplement to keep digestion-related issues at bay, you should observe the following measures (3) (6).

Inform your child’s healthcare provider if your child is on any other medication before starting Metamucil. Psyllium interferes with the absorption of certain drugs taken by mouth, and they should be spaced from psyllium dosage by at least two hours.

You must also first take the doctor’s opinion if your child is already on any nutritional or herbal supplement.

Make your child drink lots of water or fluids if not advised otherwise by a doctor. Taking Metamucil (especially the powder forms) without adequate liquids may cause it to swell before reaching the stomach and partially block the food pipe, causing discomfort.

Give your child adequate water to prevent discomfort

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Make sure your child does not inhale Metamucil powder as it may lead to respiratory discomfort and allergy.

Metamucil products may contain varying amounts of sodium and potassium (the exact amount will be mentioned on the product label). Consult a healthcare provider if your child has high blood pressure or is on a low sodium diet.

Discontinue Metamucil use if constipation lasts beyond seven days or rectal bleeding occurs.

Refer to the product label and package inserts for dosage instruction for different Metamucil products (powder, capsule, wafers, or gummies). You may also seek advice from a general physician.

Store the powder at room temperature in a tightly-closed container to avoid contact with moisture.

Keep it out of children’s reach and seek immediate medical attention in case of overdose.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Metamucil or miralax better?

Metamucil and Miralax are both over-the-counter laxativesⁱA type of drug that helps relieve constipation by improving bowel movements used to treat constipation. However, Metamucil may take slightly longer to act than Miralax for kids, and it is shown to carry an increased risk of causing side effects. Moreover, consuming Miralax without sufficient water may worsen your symptoms (9).

2. What age can my child take Metamucil?

Although the liquid form of Metamucil could be given to children after six years, the oral, capsule form of the medication is usually prescribed for children above twelve (10).

3. What type of Metamucil is best for children?

Metamucil is available in various forms, such as a capsule, powder, or wafer (12). You may administer it to your child in any form after consulting your doctor. They will select a suitable Metamucil form for your child based on the product’s fiber content and other factors, such as the child’s ability to chew or swallow.

As a caring parent, you might have included fiber-rich foods for kids in your child’s diet and done your research on the best foods to relieve constipation in kids. However, despite your efforts, if your child still shows symptoms of constipation, you may opt for fiber supplements for your children. Metamucil for kids is safe if given as per age unless they have any conditions such as an allergy, phenylketonuria, or undergoing another supplementation. So even though it is an OTC supplement, it is better to consult a doctor first to know about the precautionary measures to avoid complications, be aware of the possible side effects, and stay prepared accordingly.

Infographic: Recipes Suggested By Metamucil Manufacturer

Metamucil may be added to several food items to mask its blandness and make it more acceptable to children. Check out the infographic below to learn some delicious psyllium husk recipes suggested by Metamucil.

metamucil recipes to ease constipation in a tasty way (infographic)

Key Pointers

Metamucil is a fiber treatment for constipation. Every teaspoonful of Metamucil contains approximately 3.4 g of psyllium.
Do not administer Metamucil to your child if they have a drug allergy or phenylketonuria.
Metamucil may cause stomach discomfort, cramps, or bloating in children.
Make sure your child drinks enough water or other fluids after taking Metamucil.

Illustration: Metamucil For Kids: Dosage Side Effects And Precautions

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Discover various methods to administer Metamucil for optimal results and explore the diverse product range offered in the market from this video.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Joanne Slavin Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705355/
2. A.F.G. Cicero Metamucil as an additional source of dietary fiber: impact of the quality of healthcare professionals\’ recommendations on users\’ experience.
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25912593/
3. Metamucil therapy for regularity- psyllium husk powder.
  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=a9824f73-5ea2-4a65-a926-3a57561441b8&type=display
4. Christine L. Williams et al. A New Recommendation for Dietary Fiber in Childhood.
  https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/96/5/985?download=true
5. Psyllium.
  https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601104.html
6. Psyllium.
  https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/medications/pediatric/psyllium
7. Fiber Supplements.
  https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/fiber-supplements
8. Psyllium.
  https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/d01018a1
9. Aiman A. Soomro; Constant Constipation: Miralax vs. Metamucil. Which Over the Counter Product Better Treats Chronic Constipation?
  https://csef.usc.edu/History/2015/Projects/J1922.pdf
10. Psyllium oral capsule.
  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18281-psyllium-capsules
11. Robert J. Shulman et al.; (2016); Psyllium Fiber Reduces Abdominal Pain in Children With Irritable Bowel Syndrome in a Randomized, Double-Blind Trial.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5064811/
12. Metamucil
  https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/medicine/metamucil

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Dr. Ashley Van PuttenDO

Dr. Ashley Van Putten is a board-certified pediatrician. She studied at the University of Florida, then got her Master of Science in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida and completed her medical training at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

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