General dosing guidelines; consult specific product labeling.
Dietary fiber supplement: Benefiber: Oral: 4 grams (2 teaspoons) added to 4 to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 3 times daily.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
(For additional information see "Wheat dextrin: Pediatric drug information")
Constipation, occasional and abdominal discomfort:
Note: Ensure adequate water intake. Use of fiber (either dietary or supplemental) has not shown efficacy in pediatric patients for treatment of constipation, and NASPGHAN guidelines do not recommend the use of fiber supplements (NASPGHAN [Tabbers] 2014]).
Powder (bulk) (Benefiber Advanced Digestive Health):
Children 6 to <12 years: Oral: 1 tablespoon (4 g fiber/dose) once daily.
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Oral: 1 tablespoon (4 g fiber/dose) twice daily.
Dietary fiber supplement:
Chewable tablets (Benefiber Chewables):
Children 6 to <12 years: Oral: 11/2 tablets (4 g fiber/dose) 1 to 3 times daily; maximum daily dose: 41/2 tablets/day.
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Oral: 3 tablets (6 g fiber/dose) 1 to 3 times daily; maximum daily dose: 9 tablets/day.
Powder (bulk) (Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplement):
Children 6 to <12 years: Oral: 1 teaspoon (2 g fiber/dose) added to 4 to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 3 times daily.
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Oral: 2 teaspoons (3 g fiber/dose) added to 4 to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 3 times daily.
Powder (individual packets) (Benefiber on the GO):
Children 6 to <12 years: Oral: 1/2 packet (2 g fiber/dose) added to 4 to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 3 times daily.
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Oral: 1 packet (3 g fiber/dose) added to 4 to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 3 times daily.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
Refer to adult dosing.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Packet, Oral:
Benefiber Drink Mix: (28 ea) [flavor free, gluten free, grit free, sugar free]
Benefiber Drink Mix: (8 ea) [sugar free; contains aspartame; raspberry tea flavor]
Benefiber Drink Mix: (8 ea, 24 ea) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye); cherry pomegranate flavor]
Benefiber Drink Mix: (16 ea, 24 ea) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye); kiwi strawberry flavor]
Benefiber Drink Mix: (16 ea) [sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c yellow #5 (tartrazine), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), soybean oil; citrus punch flavor]
Powder, Oral:
Benefiber: (80 g, 155 g, 245 g, 350 g, 477 g, 730 g) [gluten free, grit free, sugar free]
Benefiber: (267 g, 529 g) [grit free, sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), lactose; orange flavor]
Benefiber For Children: (155 g) [grit free, sugar free; unflavored flavor]
Benefiber Plus Calcium: (423.8 g) [gluten free, grit free, sugar free]
Benefiber Plus Calcium: (305 g) [gluten free, grit free, sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow); orange flavor]
Benefiber Plus Heart Health: (182.4 g) [gluten free, grit free, sugar free; contains sodium benzoate]
Tablet, Oral:
Benefiber Plus B Vits & FA: [contains sodium benzoate]
Tablet Chewable, Oral:
Benefiber Plus Calcium: [scored; sugar free; contains aspartame, fd&c blue #1 (brill blue) aluminum lake, fd&c red #40(allura red ac)aluminum lake, soybeans (glycine soja); wild berry flavor]
No
Oral: Powder can be mixed into hot or cold beverages (eg, water, coffee, juice), soft foods (eg, applesauce, pudding, yogurt), or cooked into recipes for foods; not recommended for use in carbonated beverages. Tablets should be swallowed with liquid.
Oral:
Chewable tablet: Chew thoroughly.
Powder: Mix powder into 4 to 8 ounces of hot or cold beverages (eg, water, coffee, juice); mix until dissolved (~1 minute); may also mix in soft foods (eg, applesauce, pudding, yogurt), or added into recipes; not recommended for use in carbonated beverages.
Dietary fiber supplement: Use as a dietary fiber supplement
Constipation
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
Frequency not defined: Gastrointestinal: Bloating, flatulence, gastrointestinal distress
Disease-related concerns:
• Coronary heart disease (CHD): To aid in reducing the risk of CHD, the soluble fiber from wheat dextrin should be used in conjunction with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Gastrointestinal disease: Use with caution in patients with esophageal strictures, ulcers, stenosis, or intestinal adhesions, GI obstruction, fecal impaction, or difficulty swallowing.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Aspartame: Some products may contain aspartame.
• Calcium: Some products may contain calcium.
• Phenylalanine: Some products may contain phenylalanine.
• Potassium: Some products may contain potassium.
• Sodium: Some products may contain sodium.
Special populations:
• Older adult: Use with caution in the elderly; may have insufficient fluid intake which may predispose them to fecal impaction and bowel obstruction.
None known.
There are no known significant interactions.
Some products may contain phenylalanine, potassium, and/or sodium, as well as additional ingredients. Check individual product information for caloric and nutritional value.
Adequate intake for total fiber: Oral: Note: The definition of “fiber” varies; however, the soluble fiber in wheat dextrin is only one type of fiber which makes up the daily recommended intake of total fiber.
1 to 3 years: 19 g/day
4 to 8 years: 25 g/day
9 to 13 years: Males: 31 g/day; Females: 26 g/day
14 to 18 years: Males: 38 g/day; Females: 26 g/day
19 to 50 years: Males: 38 g/day; Females: 25 g/day
≥51 years: Males: 30 g/day; Females: 21 g/day
Pregnancy: 28 g/day
Lactation: 29 g/day
Wheat dextrin is a soluble fiber. It absorbs water in the intestine to form a viscous liquid which promotes peristalsis and reduces transit time.
