Reviewed by Virginia Chachati MPharm
(2013, University College London)
GPhC Registration number: 2087654
Information last reviewed 02/04/21
Fybogel Mebeverine helps ease the symptoms and discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Each dose comes in a powder form which you mix into a glass of water and swallow.
Fybogel Mebeverine contains two active ingredients; ispaghula husk and mebeverine. Ispaghula husk is a plant fibre which helps relieve constipation. Mebeverine is an antispasmodic and helps relieve painful cramps.
Mebeverine starts to work one hour after taking it as either one mebeverine tablet or one mebeverine MR capsule.
Fybogel Mebeverine is available in packs of 10, 20 or 40 sachets. You can take one sachet twice a day for up to seven days. How long it will last, or the amount of sachets you need to use, will depend on the nature of your symptoms and the prescription from your doctor. If you do not feel better after two weeks, you must speak to your doctor for further advice.
Mebeverine can help relieve IBS symptoms such as bloating. You can also help reduce bloating by eating smaller meals, exercising regularly and having less fibre in your diet.
Dose |
One sachet, 30 minutes before a meal, twice per day |
Type of Medicine | Antispasmodic and laxative |
Mechanism |
Relaxes smooth muscle in the gut, preventing cramps and muscle spasms Provides a source of natural fibre, adding bulk and mass to stools |
Available Size |
10, 20 or 40 sachets |
Available Strengths |
135mg mebeverine/3.5g ispaghula husk |
Active Ingredient |
Ispaghula husk (3.5g) and mebeverine hydrochloride (135mg) |
Price |
From 60p per sachet |
Side Effects |
Can include difficulty swallowing, blockage of the bowel, flatulence, bloating, rash, tiching, difficulty breathing, hypersensitivity reactions |
Fybogel Mebeverine contains the active ingredients ispaghula husk (3.5 g) and mebeverine hydrochloride (135 mg) in each sachet.
The inactive ingredients in Fybogel Mebeverine are: Potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, basic butylated methacrylate copolymer, sterilised talc, polyethylene glycol 6000, citric acid, polysorbate 80, silica colloidal anhydrous, saccharin sodium, aspartame E951, orange flavour, beta-carotene, riboflavine sodium phosphate and apo-carotenal colouring.
Empty one sachet of Fybogel Mebeverine powder into a glass filled with a minimum of 150 ml of water. Stir until the mixture has dissolved and then drink it immediately. You should drink six to eight glasses of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Make sure to take your evening dose at least an hour before going to bed to prevent gut irritation.
For adults and children over the age of 12 years old, the standard Fybogel Mebeverine dose is one sachet at least 30 minutes before a meal up to twice a day.
Side effects you may experience while using Fybogel Mebeverine include:
You can avoid some of these side effects by taking Fybogel Mebeverine with plenty of water.
Seek medical attention if you experience:
These are signs of an allergic reaction to Fybogel Mebeverine.
You should not use Fybogel Mebeverine if you:
Consult your doctor if:
Speak to your doctor if you are taking insulin or medicines to treat thyroid problems as your dose of Fybogel Mebeverine may need to be changed. You should not take Fybogel Mebeverine within one hour before or after taking these types of medicines.
You should ask your doctor before taking any additional treatments while taking Fybogel Mebeverine. Generally, Fybogel Mebeverine can be used alongside other IBS treatments such as Buscopan. But if you feel your IBS symptoms are getting worse, you should speak to your doctor for advice.
Fybogel Mebeverine is not suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor for further advice.
You can take mebeverine and drink alcohol at the same time. However, it is not recommended as alcohol can be a trigger for IBS symptoms.
Mebeverine does not directly cause weight loss. If you feel you are losing weight or your IBS symptoms are affecting your eating habits, then please speak to your doctor for advice.
Fybogel Mebeverine contains an antispasmodic, to ease cramps, and a gentle laxative to help treat IBS. Buscopan, Colofac and Colpermin are alternative antispasmodic treatments to help with cramps or spasms in IBS. Alternative laxatives include senna and bisacodyl, which are stimulants that work overnight for constipation relief. Fybogel (without mebeverine) is also an alternative that is only used to relieve constipation and takes two to three days to work.
There are lifestyle changes you can make to manage your IBS. Identifying your triggers will help you avoid flare ups. Common triggers include stress, caffeine, alcohol and spicy food. Try drinking plenty of water, ensuring you eat foods high in fibre, maintaining a healthy diet and eating small regular meals.
Keeping a food and wellness diary can help identify which types of food are causing your IBS symptoms to flare up. Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol and smoking. Try to drink plenty of water and eat high fibre foods with your meals throughout the day.
Mebeverine and Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) are both antispasmodics used to treat IBS. However, although Buscopan can start working faster than mebeverine, each dose of mebeverine works for a longer period of time compared to each dose of Buscopan. Mebeverine and Buscopan are both available over the counter in small quantities at a pharmacy.
Long term use of Fybogel Mebeverine is only recommended if your doctor has prescribed it. If you have been using Fybogel Mebeverine for two weeks and your symptoms have not improved, then see your doctor for advice.
Fybogel Mebeverine contains ispaghula husk, which is a laxative, and can be taken to treat constipation as a result of IBS.
Fybogel Mebeverine should only be used after an operation to relieve constipation if your doctor has prescribed it for you.
If Fybogel Mebeverine doesn't work for you then speak to your doctor, who may recommend an alternative treatment.
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