Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnderstanding ConstipationUnderstanding ColaceUnderstanding MiralaxEfficacyDosingSide EffectsPrecautionsAlternative Treatment OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Understanding Constipation
Understanding Colace
Understanding Miralax
Efficacy
Dosing
Side Effects
Precautions
Alternative Treatment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
ColaceandMiralaxare two orally administered, over-the-counter (OTC)laxativesused to relieve occasional, short-termconstipation: a condition that affects around four million people in the United States.
Colace, containing the active ingredientdocusate, is classified as a stool softener.
In comparison, Miralax is classified as anosmotic laxativeand contains the active ingredientpolyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG3350).Colace and MiraLax drugs are available in varying brand names and generic formulations.
While generally seen as similar, Colace and Miralax carry some notable differences relating to their dosing guidelines, potential side effects, modes of administration, and off-label uses.
To explain these similarities and differences, this article will provide an in-depth analysis of Colace and Miralax, examining pertinent safety and usage information for each drug.
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Constipation means having three or fewer bowel movements per week.
Additionally, it may be challenging to move the bowels (and you may have to strain), you may feel bloated or pain, and the stools may feel stiff and dry.
Constipation can occur due to various causes, and sometimes more than one cause contributes to constipation.
Some examples of constipation causes include:
Constipation can be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes, such as taking time for a complete bowel movement.
Furthermore, your healthcare provider may recommend an OTC medication when these changes are ineffective.
Colace is an OTC laxative that contains the active ingredient docusate sodium.
As an orally administered product, it comes available as a capsule, liquid-filled capsule, swallowable tablet, or liquid.
Colace is classified as a stool softener (emollient laxative). Emollient laxatives help liquids mix into your poop (stool) to prevent dry, hard masses from forming.
With Colace, it may take one to three days to see an improvement in constipation.
The ingredient docusate can also be found in various other brand-name and generic products, such as:
You may also see docusate as an ingredient as a combinational product with sennosides, otherwise known as senna (a type of laxative).
Note, however, that the scope of this article focuses on single-ingredient Colace and docusate.
It is an osmotic laxative that draws water to the stools, which increases the number of bowel movements and softens the stool, making it easier to pass.
PEG3350 can also be found in various other brand-name and generic products, such as:
Sometimes, healthcare providers prescribe or recommend OTC medications for a purpose for which that drug was not initially approved, known as off-label prescribing or off-label use (for OTC medications).
Healthcare providers sometimes recommend Miralax off-label for:
Comparing Efficacy
Colace and Miralax have not been studied directly against each other in clinical trials.
However, a recent review of varying past studies looked at OTC constipation treatments to see their safety and effectiveness.
The researchers found little evidence showing that docusate is adequate - despite being one of the most popularly purchased OTC treatments for constipation.
Regarding Miralax, the researchers found it was the only OTC medication with solid evidence of effectiveness.
The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Constipation provides a recommendation that constipation should initially be managed with dietary modifications, including dietary fiber supplements such asMetamucil.
These guidelines also note that an osmotic laxative like Miralax is a safe and appropriate treatment for chronic (ongoing) constipation.
You can consult your healthcare provider for medical advice and more information about Colace and Miralax.
Dosing Comparison
This section will provide information on Colace and Miralax’s dosage forms and general dosing requirements.
Colace
Colace is available OTC in various brand and generic formulations, including:
You can always ask your pharmacist for help finding medication and determining the dose.
A standard product you will find in pharmacies is Colace, or generic docusate sodium, 100 milligrams (mg):
Miralax
Miralax is available OTC in various brand and generic formulations, including:
Like all drugs, Colace and Miralax have the potential to cause adverse effects in users, in addition to the potential for causing allergic reactions.
However, know that allergic reactions from using Colace or Miralax are rare.
Still, if you experience hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, you should immediately get emergency medical help.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received several reports of adverse events in children who took PEG medications, such as Miralax.
As such, parents should discuss Miralax use with their child’s healthcare provider, who can weigh the benefits and risks of Miralax treatment and give professional medical advice.
Common side effects of Colace includenausea,stomach pain, andvomiting.
In comparison, the liquid form of Colace may causethroat irritation.
Contact your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help if your symptoms are severe.
Common side effects of Miralax include nausea,bloating,gas, andcramping.
Before taking Colace or Miralax, tell your healthcare provider:
Your healthcare provider can advise you on whether it is safe for you to take Colace or Miralax.
You should not take Colace if any of the following applies:
Ask your healthcare provider before using Colace if you are currently experiencing any of the following:
You should not take Miralax if any of the following applies:
Ask your healthcare provider before using Miralax if you have:
Lifestyle Habits & Constipation
Somelifestyle changesyou can try that may help improve constipation symptoms include:
Drink lots of water (or other unsweetened drinks). Additionally, know that fiber is your friend.
If you do not eat much fiber, increase your intake slowly. Addhigh-fiber foodsto your diet, such as berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries), pears, prunes, raisins, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and whole grains.
Moreover, participating in regular exercise plays a role in healthy digestion. Even adding a 10- to 15-minute walk after each meal can help. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning an exercise plan.
Finally, you may also benefit from consulting aregistered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), who can help you or your child find ways to incorporate more fiber into the diet.
Summary
Constipation can cause you to have fewer bowel movements, hard and dry stools, and other symptoms like stomach discomfort.
The treatment includes lifestyle changes, such as increasing dietary fiber, drinking more water, and exercising. Some people will need to take medication to help relieve constipation.
Colace (docusate) is a stool softener that helps soften the stools, making them easier to pass. Miralax (PEG3350) is a type of laxative that increases water in the stools, making them easier to pass.
These types of medications can help relieve occasional constipation.
Still, in some instances, you should consult a healthcare provider for medical advice - for example, if you have bloody stools, severe pain, or constipation that does not improve.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStore Colace or Miralax away from susceptible to harsh amounts of direct light, heat, and moisture (such as a bathroom)As with all medicines, keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.Colace and Miralax are not FDA-approved for weight loss and are not intended to help individuals lose weight.Although laxatives help remove waste from the intestine, they do not remove calories from the body - what’s more, taking too many laxatives can cause serious side effects.Talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice about weight loss concerns.Drinking plenty of water - or other unsweetened beverages - is one lifestyle change that can help constipation.Experts note that fluids help keep the stools soft, and softer stools are easier to pass. You can also include prune juice in your daily diet to help with regularity.
Store Colace or Miralax away from susceptible to harsh amounts of direct light, heat, and moisture (such as a bathroom)As with all medicines, keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.
Store Colace or Miralax away from susceptible to harsh amounts of direct light, heat, and moisture (such as a bathroom)
As with all medicines, keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.
Colace and Miralax are not FDA-approved for weight loss and are not intended to help individuals lose weight.Although laxatives help remove waste from the intestine, they do not remove calories from the body - what’s more, taking too many laxatives can cause serious side effects.Talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice about weight loss concerns.
Colace and Miralax are not FDA-approved for weight loss and are not intended to help individuals lose weight.
Although laxatives help remove waste from the intestine, they do not remove calories from the body - what’s more, taking too many laxatives can cause serious side effects.
Talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice about weight loss concerns.
Drinking plenty of water - or other unsweetened beverages - is one lifestyle change that can help constipation.Experts note that fluids help keep the stools soft, and softer stools are easier to pass. You can also include prune juice in your daily diet to help with regularity.
Drinking plenty of water - or other unsweetened beverages - is one lifestyle change that can help constipation.
Experts note that fluids help keep the stools soft, and softer stools are easier to pass. You can also include prune juice in your daily diet to help with regularity.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.John Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.DailyMed.Label: MiraLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule, liquid filled.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium - sennosides tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Gericare docusate sodium liquid- docusate sodium liquid.National Health Service.Laxatives.DailyMed.Label: DOK- docusate sodium tablet.DailyMed.Label: Colace 2-in-1.DailyMed.Label: Laxative docusate sodium with senna- docusate sodium and sennosides tablet, coated.DailyMed,Label: Gavilax powder, for solution.DailyMed.Label: PureLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.DailyMed.Label: Smooth LAX- polyethylene glycol powder.Prescribers’ Digital Reference.Miralax.Arora M, Okolo PI 3rd.Use of powder PEG-3350 as a sole bowel preparation: clinical case series of 245 patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2008;4(7):489-492.Chung S, Cheng A, Goldman RD.Polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes for treatment of childhood constipation.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(5):481-482.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222Paquette IM, Varma M, Ternent C, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of constipation.Dis Colon Rectum. 2016;59(6):479-492. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000000599Department of Health and Human Services.The use of polyethylene glycol in the pediatric population.Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Nutrition tips for relieving constipation.
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.John Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.DailyMed.Label: MiraLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule, liquid filled.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium - sennosides tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Gericare docusate sodium liquid- docusate sodium liquid.National Health Service.Laxatives.DailyMed.Label: DOK- docusate sodium tablet.DailyMed.Label: Colace 2-in-1.DailyMed.Label: Laxative docusate sodium with senna- docusate sodium and sennosides tablet, coated.DailyMed,Label: Gavilax powder, for solution.DailyMed.Label: PureLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.DailyMed.Label: Smooth LAX- polyethylene glycol powder.Prescribers’ Digital Reference.Miralax.Arora M, Okolo PI 3rd.Use of powder PEG-3350 as a sole bowel preparation: clinical case series of 245 patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2008;4(7):489-492.Chung S, Cheng A, Goldman RD.Polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes for treatment of childhood constipation.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(5):481-482.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222Paquette IM, Varma M, Ternent C, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of constipation.Dis Colon Rectum. 2016;59(6):479-492. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000000599Department of Health and Human Services.The use of polyethylene glycol in the pediatric population.Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Nutrition tips for relieving constipation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.John Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.DailyMed.Label: MiraLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule, liquid filled.DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium - sennosides tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Gericare docusate sodium liquid- docusate sodium liquid.National Health Service.Laxatives.DailyMed.Label: DOK- docusate sodium tablet.DailyMed.Label: Colace 2-in-1.DailyMed.Label: Laxative docusate sodium with senna- docusate sodium and sennosides tablet, coated.DailyMed,Label: Gavilax powder, for solution.DailyMed.Label: PureLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.DailyMed.Label: Smooth LAX- polyethylene glycol powder.Prescribers’ Digital Reference.Miralax.Arora M, Okolo PI 3rd.Use of powder PEG-3350 as a sole bowel preparation: clinical case series of 245 patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2008;4(7):489-492.Chung S, Cheng A, Goldman RD.Polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes for treatment of childhood constipation.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(5):481-482.Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222Paquette IM, Varma M, Ternent C, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of constipation.Dis Colon Rectum. 2016;59(6):479-492. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000000599Department of Health and Human Services.The use of polyethylene glycol in the pediatric population.Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Nutrition tips for relieving constipation.
MedlinePlus.Stool softeners.
MedlinePlus.Polyethylene glycol 3350.
John Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule.
DailyMed.Label: MiraLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.
MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.
DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium capsule, liquid filled.
DailyMed.Label: Colace- docusate sodium - sennosides tablet, film coated.
DailyMed.Label: Gericare docusate sodium liquid- docusate sodium liquid.
National Health Service.Laxatives.
DailyMed.Label: DOK- docusate sodium tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Colace 2-in-1.
DailyMed.Label: Laxative docusate sodium with senna- docusate sodium and sennosides tablet, coated.
DailyMed,Label: Gavilax powder, for solution.
DailyMed.Label: PureLax- polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution.
DailyMed.Label: Smooth LAX- polyethylene glycol powder.
Prescribers’ Digital Reference.Miralax.
Arora M, Okolo PI 3rd.Use of powder PEG-3350 as a sole bowel preparation: clinical case series of 245 patients.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2008;4(7):489-492.
Chung S, Cheng A, Goldman RD.Polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes for treatment of childhood constipation.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(5):481-482.
Rao SSC, Brenner DM.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter therapies for chronic constipation: an updated systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(6):1156-1181. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001222
Paquette IM, Varma M, Ternent C, et al.The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of constipation.Dis Colon Rectum. 2016;59(6):479-492. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000000599
Department of Health and Human Services.The use of polyethylene glycol in the pediatric population.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Nutrition tips for relieving constipation.
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