Two medicines, side by side
Methylcellulose vs psyllium husk
Methylcellulose and psyllium husk are both labeled for constipation.
Check it at the source: the methylcellulose FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 18, 2026); the psyllium husk FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 8, 2026).
Highlights of the methylcellulose record
Methylcellulose · label of March 18, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves occasional constipation (irregularity) generally produces a bowel movement in 12-72 hours
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0135 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the psyllium husk record
Psyllium husk · label of September 8, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications• effective in treating occasional constipation and restoring regularity
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Methylcellulose label of March 18, 2026, Psyllium husk label of September 8, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do methylcellulose and psyllium husk differ on the record?
| Methylcellulose | Psyllium husk | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Constipation | Constipation |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | n/a |
| First generic approved | none | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0135 per gram (Fiber therapy powder) | n/a |
| 12-month price change | -0.4% | n/a |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,145 | 9,821 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to methylcellulose
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions