title: Drug interactions with the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plantago ovata husk is a viscous water-soluble fiber obtained by milling the seed of Plantago ovata. The increased use of this compound for the treatment of diseases makes it necessary to know of its potential drug interactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present paper reviews the literature concerning interactions between drugs and the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk. All publications which might describe interactions between the dietetic fiber Plantago ovata husk and other drugs were identified by searches using databases such as MEDLINE or EMBASE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drug interactions have been the subject of numerous studies, but few of them have been carried out with dietary fiber and the results obtained have often been variable. The incidence and importance of interactions between fiber and drugs has increased due to a worldwide rise in the use of dietary fiber. Plantago ovata husk has the potential for producing both benefits and risks with both desirable and undesirable effects when coadministered with drugs. More clinical studies are justifiably needed to improve treatments and to better evaluate patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Area de Farmacologia, Instituto de Biomedicina, Universidad de Leon, 24071, Leon, Spain. nelida.fernandez@unileon.es
authors.forename: Nelida
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Díez
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Maria Jose
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Diez
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahagun
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sierra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000097:blood; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood; D023421:Models, Animal; D010943:Plantago / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007980:Levodopa; D004077:Digoxin; D008094:Lithium; D013974:Thyroxine