Psyllium is an herb whose seeds and seed coatings, known as husks, are used medicinally and as a food additive. A dietary fiber, psyllium is used as a stool softener and laxative. According to MedlinePlus, it's also used as an adjunct in the treatment of several medical conditions, including diabetes. Metformin is an oral medication that's often used alone or in combination with other therapies in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes
The term diabetes refers to a group of medical conditions that result from the body's inability to produce or use the pancreatic hormone insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, once food is digested it's broken down into its basic components, including the simple sugar glucose that's used as fuel by our bodies' cells. Glucose enters the bloodstream to be transported into cells by the hormone insulin. Patients with Type 2 diabetes have high blood glucose levels because they either produce too little insulin, or their bodies have become resistant to the insulin they do produce.
Modes of Action
Metformin helps control blood glucose levels in three distinct ways. It increases the body's response to whatever insulin may be present, it decreases the amount of glucose absorbed from food, and it lessens the amount of glucose produced by the liver. MedlinePlus says psyllium has also been shown to reduce blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Psyllium has also shown the additional benefit of reducing gastrointestinal upset sometimes experienced by patients taking metformin.
Side Effects
Psyllium is generally considered safe when taken with plenty of fluids. Infrequently, people may experience gas, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, nausea or an allergic reaction. Metformin's side effect profile includes gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, headache, muscle pain and flushing of the skin. More rarely rashes, chest pain and a life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis have been found in people taking metformin. MedlinePlus advises all patients taking metformin to discuss their full medical history with their prescribing physician.
Drug Interactions
Psyllium fiber can decrease the absorption and effectiveness of certain medications, including Tegretol; lithium; warfarin, with a brand name of Coumadin; digoxin and some birth control pills. When taken with metformin, psyllium may decrease blood glucose levels further, resulting in hypoglycaemia. According to MedlinePlus, metformin may cause interactions or side effects with a large number of drug classes, including beta blockers, antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, gold compounds, acetaminophen, diuretics, cancer chemotherapy agents, hormone replacement therapy, oral steroids, morphine and birth control pills. Discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor and pharmacist
Other Names
Metformin is available under a number of different brand names such as Glucophage, Fortament, Glumetza and Riomet. MedlinePlus also lists the following combination brand name drugs that include metformin in their formulations: Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Janumet and Metaglip. Psyllium is known by many names, including blond psyllium, Indian Plantago, Englishman's Foot, Sand Plantain and Dietary Fiber. Fiber products available over the counter such as Metamucil contain psyllium as well
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