USP vs EP vs IP: Psyllium Husk Pharmacopoeia Standards Explained
Compliance.

Psyllium husk is monographed in three major pharmacopoeias: the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP). While all three describe Plantago ovata husk, the specific test parameters and acceptance criteria differ in ways that matter for buyers importing psyllium for pharmaceutical use. Understanding these differences helps procurement teams specify the correct grade and request the right COA parameters.

The USP monograph for Psyllium Husk requires a minimum swell volume of 40 ml/g (some editions specify higher for specific dosage forms), moisture not more than 12%, and total ash not more than 4%. The EP monograph (Ispaghula Husk) specifies a minimum swell index of 40 and has specific identification tests including microscopy and chemical reactions. The IP monograph is largely aligned with USP but may have minor differences in test methodology. For export to the US, buyers should request a COA with parameters cross-referenced to the current USP edition.

For export to Europe, the EP monograph term is "Ispaghula Husk" — which is the same product (Plantago ovata seed husk). European buyers typically request a COA annotated against EP parameters including swell index, foreign matter, microbiology, and pesticide residue limits under EU regulations. We supply with COA annotated to buyer-specified pharmacopoeia on request. Share your destination market and pharmacopoeia edition and we will prepare the COA accordingly.