What should you know about Fybogel for diarrhoea?

Fybogel contains ispaghula husk, a soluble fibre that holds water in the bowel. This can make stool more formed and may also regulate bowel movements when symptoms are linked with irritable bowel syndrome. It does not remove an infection, treat inflammation, or correct a food trigger. Diarrhoea can occur with gastroenteritis, food poisoning, food intolerance, coeliac disease, Crohn's Disease, giardiasis, or an overactive thyroid.

Follow the product instructions or advice from a pharmacist, mix the sachet with plenty of water, and drink it promptly. Keep drinking fluids because diarrhoea can cause dehydration. Do not take fibre medicine dry. Separate it from other medicines if a pharmacist advises this, because fibre can affect absorption. Avoid self-treating ongoing or severe diarrhoea without finding the cause.

Seek prompt medical advice for blood or black stool, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, marked weakness, confusion, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine. Contact a clinician if diarrhoea persists, keeps returning, follows recent travel, or affects a child, older adult, or person with a long-term illness. Urgent assessment is needed if you cannot keep fluids down.

Ask what may be causing the diarrhoea, whether Fybogel fits that cause, how long to try it, and which symptoms should prompt a review. Mention every medicine and supplement you use, recent antibiotics or travel, and whether there is weight loss, fever, pain, or blood in the stool.