Guar gum: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Medicine Guar Gum?

What is Guar Gum used for?

Guar gum is a fiber supplement product that is obtained from the guar plant. This product is usually available in powder form.

Generally, this product is used to treat problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, guar gum is well known as a serum to help reduce cholesterol levels, lower high blood pressure, and maintain blood sugar levels.

In fact, many argue that this drug can be used for weight loss. However, considering this has not been proven, you should avoid using drugs to treat certain conditions if the effects are not yet known.

This drug is classified as over-the-counter drugs, so you can buy it without having to be accompanied by a prescription from a doctor.

How is guar gum used?

To understand how to use this herbal medicine, use it in an appropriate manner of use, as follows.

• Use this medicine according to your doctor's instructions or what is written on the medicine package.
• Use this drug by mouth.
• You must eat first before using this medicine. We recommend that you drink it right after you finish eating.

How to store guar gum?

As with other drug use, this drug also has drug storage rules that you should pay attention to, including:

• This medication is best stored at room temperature. Neither too hot nor too cold.
• Keep this drug away from damp places.
• Also keep this drug away from exposure to sunlight and direct light.
• Do not store this medication in the bathroom because the bathroom is a damp place.
• Also do not store this drug in the freezer until frozen.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children to pets.

If you no longer use guar gum, or if this medication has expired, you must dispose of it in an appropriate manner. The reason is, throwing them carelessly can pollute your environment.

The thing that you should pay attention to is not to mix this medicinal waste with other household waste. Do not also splash this medicine in the toilet or drain, because it can make the environment unhealthy.

If you are not sure about how to properly dispose of medicine, you can ask a pharmacist or officer from the local waste disposal agency about how to dispose of medicinal waste safely and appropriately, especially for environmental health.

Guar Gum dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of guar gum for adults?

Adult dosage for constipation

• Starting dose: 4 grams per day and increase the dose slowly to limit unwanted gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.
• Dosage for use: 4-22 grams per day.

Adult dosage for diarrhea

• Dosage for critical conditions: 22 grams dissolved in 1 liter of water.

Adult dosage for high blood pressure

• 7-10 grams consumed three times a day

Adult dosage for cholesterol

• 15-18 grams of the dose used once or divided into several doses a day.

Adult dosage for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• 5-10 grams are used every day.

What is the dosage of guar gum for children?

Children's dosage for constipation

• Dosage for children aged 4-6 years:
  • 3 grams consumed every day
• Dosage for children 6-12 years of age:
  • 4 grams consumed every day.
• Dosage for children 12-16 years of age:
  • 5 grams are consumed every day

Children's dosage for diarrhea

• Dosage for children ages 4-36 months (3 years):
  • 15-20 grams dissolved in water are given to children who have acute diarrhea.
  • If you have acute diarrhea, this drug should be given for up to 7 consecutive days. If it doesn't go away, this medicine may be used for more than 7 days.

Child dosage for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• 5 grams are used every day.

In what dosage is guar gum available?

Guar gum is available as a medicinal powder.

Guar Gum side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to guar gum?

As with drug use in general, the use of guar gum can also pose a risk of side effects. The side effects that appear can include mild or serious health conditions.

If you experience mild side effects, you don't need to worry too much because the side effects will disappear over time as your body will adapt to the medication. However, if the symptoms of mild side effects do not improve immediately or get worse, you should check with your doctor.

Meanwhile, there are quite serious side effects that may occur if you use this medicine. Among them:

• Hypoglycemia, or blood sugar levels dropping drastically below normal limits.
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, bloating, and nausea.
• Decreased appetite
• Heartburn, or feel a burning sensation in the chest
• Stomach cramps

If you experience the serious side effects listed above, contact your doctor immediately and seek medical care.

Even so, not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. In fact, there are also people who experience no symptoms of side effects at all. However, if you experience symptoms of other side effects that appear after using this drug, immediately ask your doctor how to deal with it.

Guar Gum Medicine Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using guar gum?

Before you use this drug, there are a number of things you should know first, as follows.

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to guar gum.
• Also tell if you have other allergies, for example to drugs, food, preservatives, dyes, and even allergies to animals.
• Tell your doctor all types of drugs you use, from prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, herbal medicines, dietary supplements, to multivitamins.
• Tell your doctor if you have any illness or a history of disease. For example, diabetes, or there is narrowing of your esophagus or intestines.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing.
• Tell your doctor if you are going to have an operation. Make sure you tell the doctor who treats you two weeks before the surgical procedure.

Is guar gum safe for pregnant and lactating women?

It is not certain whether this drug has a negative impact on pregnant women, nursing mothers, or babies who are still in the womb or who are breastfeeding.

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Therefore, if you intend to use this medicine while you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, tell your doctor first.

Make sure that you know what the benefits and risks of using this drug are. Only use it if your doctor allows it and the benefits far outweigh the risks to you and your baby. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category N according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia. The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = No risk, B = not at risk in several studies, C = May be risky, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = Unknown

Drug interactions for guar gum

What other medicines may interact with guar gum?

When using guar gum, drug interactions are possible. Especially if you are taking guar gum at the same time as other medicines that you are also taking.

Drug interactions can have a positive or negative impact on your condition. As a negative impact, interactions may change how one drug works or increase the risk of serious side effects of use. Meanwhile, the positive impact, the interactions that occur may be the best form of treatment for your condition.

This article does not list all possible drug interactions. Therefore, record all the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change your dose without your doctor's approval.

The following are some of the types of drugs that may interact with guar gum, including:

• Ethinyl estradiol. Using guar gum can reduce the effectiveness of ethinyl use.
• Diabetes drugs. Guar gum can also reduce blood sugar levels in the body. If you take diabetes medications at the same time as guar gum, your risk of developing hypoglycemia increases.
• Metformin. The interactions that occur can reduce the effectiveness of metformin in the patient's body.
• Penicillin. Using this medicine together with guar gum might reduce the effectiveness of penicillin to help you fight the infection.
• Digoxin. The interactions that occur are minor interactions. However, it is possible that using guar gum might reduce the effectiveness of using digoxin.

Can food or alcohol interact with guar gum?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medication with food, alcohol, or cigarettes.

What health conditions can interact with Guar gum?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of the drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially hypoglycemia.

Guar Gum overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double up on a dose to make up for a missed dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.