Fybogel supply problems

If anyone is struggling to get Fybogel my local pharmacy has started giving me proper branded Fybogel again and I couldn't stomach the off brand ones they gave during the shortage, the orange taste was weak and they were a bit gritty. But if anyone is struggling I'd be happy to post you some or all of my off brand ones if you just cover postage (no income at the moment or I'd send free). Saves them going to waste and hopefully helps someone.
These are normal orange flavour within date, I'll send a pic if anyone is interested.

Psyllium can be bought from Holland and Barrett.
Expensive as it is sold in large containers but they regularly (excuse the nearly pun🤣 ) have BOGOF or other offers.
Plus as others have said, there is no suger or fructose added.

Just thought I'd let people know.

They’re also on EBay.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164217864299?epid=7032587691&itmmeta=01HWJ6C8B71ET2D74PCD2PV8BN&hash=item263c25c06b:g:ew8AAOSwnyZh08j~&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4KJ0iKR96CCSlcJfLSpFU6JZS8OD7qY%2FdXIZKFIHWXdHPzGzjNGTf4C%2F8gF5DE%2FUL6SbbUP1LTncXwI3KOeKbeKxHH%2BzGMIM8mn1%2Bc6dX1Qxe5ql3eg3jz5K9FHj2miQNY7dXL9eSR%2FJA8KHdsUVwUjORwQN%2FX9vbmpGMGQEiG1UcnB8JOc%2FLBadT3TapXo%2Fs0Ix1e4jOOlgIFoZK2d7Us1ThBCwArugxbPydumufvK7CGBNe2dQ1PcecRx8616NaXRh8Xfy4iDw1mXS5xU0K3fq8eJeov95C9BVqDIF3SSr%7Ctkp%3ABFBM4IWxxuRj

Seems like Amazon has created a monopoly here.

I’ve never had a problem. I’ve just received a box of 60 from Amazon.

Yes - Fybogel hasn't ben available for maybe 9 months or so - I've tried all the pharmacies in town with no luck - I ask them what the supply problem is and they just reply 'I don't know'.

It is on my repeat prescription list and I tick the box every month but my pharmacy supplies me with generic Ispaghula sachets - they don't taste as nice as Fybogel but they seem to work. Laxido tastes horrid, and Movicol is even worse

Unfortunately my pharmacy still cannot get fibogel from their supplier, and have not been given a date to expect delivery.

andyc

I have an update received today from the manufacturer, as quoted below...

"I can confirm the product has not been withdrawn from the UK market and is currently still facing a stock out issue. We are hoping for the stock to resume as normal soon but at current we do not have a exact date."

Great news! Thanks @andyc

Please don’t assume to use Laxido in place of Fybogel. I have Ulcerative Colitis and while I usually use both they have different properties. Laxido encourages water into the bowel (you need to be mindful of your water intake while taking it as you can become dehydrated easier). Fybogel is a form of non-soluble fibre that adds bulk to your stool allowing it to pass easier (you do need to be mindful of water intake with this too but more so with Laxido). Also, just ‘consuming more fruit & veg’ while healthy doesn’t necessarily help. I cannot eat cruciferous vegetables, they are known to cause issues with people with UC so using a blanket approach like that may not be beneficial for people who have been prescribed medicines etc.
I’ve been buying psyllium husk powder from Amazon for the past few months, seems to be helping so far. It’s the main ingredient in Fybogel, hope that helps

Thank you for that andyc. Still hoping.

I have an update received today from the manufacturer, as quoted below...

"I can confirm the product has not been withdrawn from the UK market and is currently still facing a stock out issue. We are hoping for the stock to resume as normal soon but at current we do not have a exact date."

LucyAnna

Very thorough, andyc!

There was a programme fronted by Michael Mosely on Channel 4 recently, talked a lot about diet and IBS. I’ve only watched part of it, but he’s usually quite good.

www.channel4.com/4viewers/undercover-doctor

Thanks, I do tend to watch most of Mike Mosley's documentaries. I have more diverticular disease than IBS but they do both play into each other. I have mild IBS-D and Fybogel helps to regulate that - it seems to be advertised as a laxative but it does both: if constipated it softens you up, if you have loose movements it firms them up. My GP tried to substitute it with Laxido recently, but considering I normally have IBS-D this was a very bad idea and I left it at the chemist!

Very thorough, andyc!

There was a programme fronted by Michael Mosely on Channel 4 recently, talked a lot about diet and IBS. I’ve only watched part of it, but he’s usually quite good.

www.channel4.com/4viewers/undercover-doctor

I thought I'd join this forum to try and help those of you looking for Fybogel - as am I. A Google search uncovered this forum and a Reddit post but not much else.

I am also struggling to source Fybogel, none of my local chemists can source it and it cannot be bought online. I did some digging and uncovered some information...

The company that manufactures it is mainly involved with Senokot, their website is www.senokot.co.uk/our-brands/fybogel/ and they have a phone number at the bottom of their site which is open normal office hours if you want to add your name to the list of people wanting Fybogel back, I found it after they closed for today. 0333 2005 345

The company is registered on Companies House as a group company of Reckitt Benckiser, rather concerningly their accounts are overdue from 31st December 2023, unusual for a large corporation. Which does lead me to worry they may be heading for liquidation. find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08784077

Following the trail back to the parent company I found the Reckitt Benckiser website and contact information for them, which can be found at the following link if you also want to email them, as I have. I will update you if/when they reply to me. reckitt.com/offices/uk/

I have been using Senocalm tablets as needed (for constipation and bloating) for some time, but cannot get those now in pharmacies or online. I think the main ingredient is Simethicone, so will look for that. I have a lot of pain if I can’t ease the problem, I spite of being vegetarian and eating plenty of fruit and veg.

That's good news, hope it's true of England also.

According to the HPRA (Ireland), the cause is "Unexpected increase in demand" and the "expected return date" for "Fybogel Orange 3.5 g granules 30 pack" is 31/01/2024. The 10 pack should now be available.
Cheers

I used one of those battery operated milk frother / whisks. The only way I could get rid of the clumps.

Laxido is not suitable at all. It is a powder laxative made with totally different ingredients. Fybogel is the husk of a plant, a bit similar to bran, which adds bulk to your stools, making them softer.

Thanks for info on this my local Pharmacist has also had difficulties with suppliers. Will try Amazon.

Used to take Fybogel but found it left me feeling bloated. Now take Laxido on prescription when needed and found it much better.

You could try asking for Laxido instead. Whilst they're made from different ingredients, they basically do the same thing. If the doctor isn't able to prescribe it, it can be bought from an online pharmacy: www.cloudpharmacy.co.uk/medications/laxido-sachets/

One pharmacy said it was supply chain problems. I have been having the squash with psyllium husks instead. Idly asked again last week when in pharmacy if they had any and they had! Worth asking round again as problem might have been solved by now.

I am also prescribed Fybogel and my pharmacy has been unable to supply it. GP has prescribed Ispaghula Husk Orange as an alternative. I find harder to mix and it tends to go into clumps. It does the job, hopefully Fybogel will return

Used to have Celevac tablets prescribed for diverticulitis but they became unavailable and so was offered Fybogel. Recently told Fybogel no longer available and I should try different pharmacies myself. I pointed out that if they were unable to find any then I was unlikely to succeed. No alternative was offered. A few weeks later I ordered them again just in case and luckily recv'd 2 boxes. Might be worth another try?