Wheat dextrin: Pediatric drug information

(For additional information see "Wheat dextrin: Drug information" and see "Wheat dextrin: Patient drug information")

For abbreviations, symbols, and age group definitions used in Lexicomp (show table)

Brand Names: US

Benefiber Drink Mix [OTC];
Benefiber For Children [OTC];
Benefiber Plus B Vits & FA [OTC];
Benefiber Plus Calcium [OTC];
Benefiber Plus Heart Health [OTC];
Benefiber [OTC]

Therapeutic Category

Fiber Supplement;
Laxative, Bulk-Producing

Dosing: Pediatric

Constipation, occasional and abdominal discomfort

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 (Ref).

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

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.

Dosing: Kidney Impairment: Pediatric

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Pediatric

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Adult

(For additional information see "Wheat dextrin: Drug information")

General dosing guidelines; consult specific product labeling.

Dietary fiber supplement

Dietary fiber supplement:

Chewable tablet (Benefiber Chewables): Oral: 3 tablets (3 g fiber/dose) up to 3 times daily; maximum daily dose: 9 tablets/day.

Gummies (Benefiber Prebiotic Gummies): Oral: 3 gummies (6 g fiber/dose) up to 2 times daily; maximum daily dose: 6 gummies/day.

Powder (bulk) (Benefiber Original Prebiotic Fiber Supplement): Oral: 2 teaspoons (4 g fiber/dose) added to 4 to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 3 times daily.

Powder (bulk) (Benefiber Healthy Shape): Oral: 1 rounded tablespoon (5 g fiber/dose) added to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 2 times daily.

Powder (individual packet) (Benefiber on the Go): Oral: 1 packet (3 g fiber/dose) added to 4 to 8 ounces of liquid or soft food 3 times daily.

Dosing: Kidney Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.

Frequency not defined: Gastrointestinal: Bloating, flatulence, gastrointestinal distress

Warnings/Precautions

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.

Dosage Forms: US

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]

Generic Equivalent Available: US

Administration: Pediatric

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.

Administration: Adult

Oral: Powder can be mixed into hot or cold beverages (eg, water, coffee, juice); mix until dissolved (up to 1 minute); may also mix in 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.

Storage/Stability

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Protect from moisture.

Use

Dietary fiber supplement (Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplement: OTC: FDA approved in ages ≥6 years and adults); treatment of occasional constipation and abdominal discomfort (Benefiber Advanced Digestive Health: OTC: FDA approved in ages ≥6 years and adults). Note: Although approved for treatment of occasional constipation in pediatric patients and improved bowel movement frequency, current guidelines do not recommend for treatment of functional constipation (NASPGHAN/ESPGHAN [Tabbers 2014]). Approved ages and uses for generic products may vary; consult product labeling for details.

Metabolism/Transport Effects

None known.

Drug Interactions

There are no known significant interactions.

Dietary Considerations

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 that makes up the daily recommended intake of total fiber.

2 to 3 years of age: 14 g/day (USDA/HHS 2020).

4 to 8 years of age: Female: 17 g/day; Male: 20 g/day (USDA/HHS 2020).

9 to 13 years of age: Female: 22 g/day; Male: 25 g/day (USDA/HHS 2020).

14 to 18 years of age: Female: 25 g/day; Male: 31 g/day (USDA/HHS 2020).

19 to 30 years of age: Female: 28 g/day; Male: 34 g/day (USDA/HHS 2020).

31 to 50 years of age: Female: 25 g/day; Male: 31 g/day (USDA/HHS 2020).

≥51 years of age: Female: 22 g/day; Males: 28 g/day (USDA/HHS 2020).

Pregnancy: USDA/HHS 2020:

14 to 18 years of age:

1st trimester: 25 g/day.

2nd trimester: 31 g/day.

3rd trimester: 34 g/day.

19 to 30 years of age:

1st trimester: 28 g/day.

2nd trimester: 34 g/day.

3rd trimester: 36 g/day.

31 to 50 years of age:

1st trimester: 25 g/day.

2nd trimester: 31 g/day.

3rd trimester: 34 g/day.

Lactation: USDA/HHS 2020:

14 to 18 years of age: 31 g/day.

19 to 30 years of age: 34 g/day.

31 to 50 years of age: 31 g/day.

Monitoring Parameters

Stool output.

Mechanism of Action

Wheat dextrin is a soluble fiber. It absorbs water in the intestine to form a viscous liquid which promotes peristalsis and reduces transit time.

Brand Names: International

International Brand Names by Country

For country code abbreviations (show table)

(HK) Hong Kong: Benefiber;
(JO) Jordan: Benefiber;
(MY) Malaysia: Benefiber;
(PH) Philippines: Benefiber;
(PK) Pakistan: Benefiber;
(SG) Singapore: Benefiber;
(TH) Thailand: Benefiber;
(TR) Turkey: Benefiber

Benefiber (wheat dextrin) [prescribing information]. Warren, NJ: GSK Consumer; received February 2017.
Benefiber Advanced Digestive Health (wheat dextrin) [prescribing information]. Warren, NJ: GSK Consumer; no date.
Benefiber Healthy Shape Prebiotic Fiber Supplement (wheat dextrin) [prescribing information]. Warren, NJ: GSK Consumer; no date.
Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplement Chewables (wheat dextrin) [prescribing information]. Warren, NJ: GSK Consumer; no date.
Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplement powder (wheat dextrin) [prescribing information]. Warren, NJ: GSK Consumer; no date.
IOM (Institute of Medicine), Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients), Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2005.
James SL, Muir JG, Curtis SL, et al. Dietary fibre: a roughage guide. Intern Med J. 2003;33(7):291-296. [PubMed 12823674]
Slavin JL, Savarino V, Paredes-Diaz A, et al. A review of the role of soluble fiber in health with specific reference to wheat dextrin. J Int Med Res. 2009;37(1):1-17. [PubMed 19215668]
Tabbers MM, DiLorenzo C, Berger MY, et al; European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology. Evaluation and treatment of functional constipation in infants and children: evidence-based recommendations from ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;58(2):258-274. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000266 [PubMed 24345831]
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and US Department of Health and Human Services (HSS). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdf. Published December 2020. Accessed November 22, 2022.
Vermorel M, Coudray C, Wils D, et al. Energy value of a low-digestible carbohydrate, NUTRIOSE FB, and its impact on magnesium, calcium and zinc apparent absorption and retention in healthy young men. Eur J Nutr. 2004;43(6):344-352. [PubMed 15309452]

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Wheat dextrin: Pediatric drug information