Comparison of a Plain Methylcellulose with a Compound Bulk Laxative Tablet

Summary 1.The properties of methylcellulose and psyllium as bulk laxative materials are summarized. 2.A quantitative comparison of the bulk forming power of plain 0.5 gram methylcellulose tablets with that of tablets containing 0.4 gram methylcellulose blended with 0.1 gram of a purified psyllium hemicellulose was made by using the stool-weight method of evaluation on eight human subjects. 3.The compound bulk laxative tablet was found to have up to 87 per cent more moisture-retaining and bulk-forming power than the simple methylcellulose tablet of the same weight. 4.With this compound tablet a greater effect can be secured from a given number of tablets, or the same effect from a lesser number of tablets, than are required for plain methylcellulose. 5.The compound tablet produced its increased bulk of stool immediately from the first day of medication, whereas plain methylcellulose caused a moderate constipative effect on the first day, followed by attainment of the new level of bulk stools only at the third day. 6.It is apparent that the compound tablet combination works more promptly, and induces a greater effect per given dose. Therefore, addition of psyllium to the methylcellulose provides a combination with enhanced therapeutic value.