A synthetic bulk laxative which comprises a crosslinked graft polymer. It is formed of a hydrophilic monomer partially neutralized up to 75%, a polysaccharide gum up to 3% by weight and a crosslinker up to 2% by weight. The weight percentages are with respect to the hydrophilic monomer. A process for the preparation of the synthetic bulk laxative which comprises up to 75% partial neutralization of a hydrophilic monomer with an alkali. The partially neutralized hydrophilic monomer is polymerized with up to 2% by weight of a cross linker and up to 3% by weight of a polysaccharide gum in the presence of an initiator in an organic solvent under inert atmosphere at 30-80 C. The synthetic bulk laxative is dried at 30-120 C. and pulverized. A formulation of the synthetic bulk laxative in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.