Can I take medications or supplements while on the FODMAP elimination diet?

If you take any medications or use any other treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), do not change them during the basic phase of the FODMAPS elimination diet. The FODMAPS elimination diet is based on limiting "FODMAPS" in the diet. FODMAPS stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccharides And Polyols. Specifically, some of the dietary carbohydrates described by the term FODMAPS are lactose, fructose, fructans, polyols and galactans. These are sugars, starches and fibers in food that some people cannot fully digest and absorb.

There are two exceptions to taking medications on the FODMAPS elimination diet. One: If you use a bulk fiber laxative, consult your health care provider or check the manufacturer's web site to make sure it does not contain fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPS). Citrucel is one brand which claims to be 100 percent non-fermentable; therefore, it does not contain FODMAPS. Two: If you use a probiotic supplement that includes FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides), you may want to consider switching to a similar supplement without FOS for the duration of the basic diet, because FOS is a FODMAPS carbohydrate.