If you are on medications, you need to be aware of how different supplements or components of your diet may affect the way your medications work in your body. When it comes to fiber, some medications may increase the need for soluble fiber, while increasing soluble fiber may cause you to need higher or lower doses of other medications. Therefore, it is important to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements or adding any soluble fiber to your diet.
Beneficial Interactions
Eating a diet high in soluble fiber, such as oat fiber, psyllium fiber or taking soluble fiber supplements, can increase the effectiveness of bile-acid sequestrant drugs in lowering cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. Increasing soluble fiber intake can help to lessen the risk of constipation while taking medications that can cause this side effect, such as the pain medication propoxyphene or the calcium-channel blocker verapamil.
Negative Interactions
Negative drug interactions are more common. High levels of soluble fiber can interfere with the absorption or lower blood levels of tricyclic antidepressants, antidiabetic medications, carbamazepine, statins, digoxin, lithium, aspirin, warfarin, carbamazepine and penicillin. Most of these effects are more likely in the case of fiber supplements rather than dietary fiber. However, you should still discuss changes in dietary fiber with your doctor as well as any plans to take fiber supplements to make sure that you remain on an effective dose of your medications.
Considerations
Fiber intake also can lower blood sugar levels if you are diabetic. Increasing your fiber intake may make it necessary for you to decrease your dose of insulin. Increase the amount of fluids you consume as you increase your fiber intake to prevent constipation. Sudden increases in fiber intake may give you problems with gas, so increase your dose of fiber slowly over time.
Recommendations
Although fiber supplements are generally safe, the mayo Clinic suggests you discuss adding these to your diet with your doctor to make sure the supplements won't interact negatively with any medications that you are already taking. Fiber supplements can be helpful for you if you have digestive problems; however, if you are on certain medications, it might not be in your best interest to take them as they could cause your medications to be less effective.
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