Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLaxatives for ConstipationWhat Is Milk of Magnesia?How Long Does Milk of Magnesia Take to Work?Dosing GuidelinesSide EffectsPreventing ConstipationFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Laxatives for Constipation
What Is Milk of Magnesia?
How Long Does Milk of Magnesia Take to Work?
Dosing Guidelines
Side Effects
Preventing Constipation
Frequently Asked Questions
Milk of Magnesia(magnesium hydroxide) is a brand-name medication used to treat occasionalconstipationin adults and children 6 years and older.
It is an over-the-counter (OTC) saline laxative that starts working within a few hours to relieve constipation.
Milk of Magnesia is available as an oral suspension (liquid). However, other brands of magnesium hydroxide and its active ingredients are also available in other different forms, such as chewable or swallowable tablets.
Milk of magnesia is only indicated for short-term use. It is unsafe to take this drug on a prolonged basis due to the risk of side effects without asking a healthcare provider.
Read on for an in-depth analysis of Milk of Magnesia, including information regarding its dosage requirements, potential side effects, and how quickly you should expect it to begin working.
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Laxativesare pharmaceutical products that increase bowel movements and loosen stools. They are often used in the management or treatment of constipation.
Laxatives stimulate intestinal movements and absorb water in the intestine, making stool soft and easy to pass.
Laxatives are usually available in oral tablets, capsules, suspensions, rectal suppositories, and enemas. Laxatives are available on prescription and are also generally available OTC laxatives.
There are differentclasses of laxativesbased on the mode of action. The four main classes of OTC laxatives are:
Some commonly used laxatives include:
OTC Milk of Magnesia, containing the active ingredient magnesium hydroxide, treats occasional (irregular) constipation in adults and children 6 years and older.
Furthermore, it increases the number of bowel movements, softens the stool, and makes passing easier.
Other OTC brand names of magnesium hydroxide are available, such as Pedia-Lax.
Combinational Products
Magnesium hydroxide is also available as combination brands, including Almacone (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, simethicone), a brand-name medication used to treat the symptoms of too much stomach acid, such as stomach upset,heartburn, andacid indigestion.
Milk of Magnesia usually takes 30 minutes to 6 hours to cause a bowel movement after oral administration.
Milk of magnesia is only for short-term or occasional management of constipation.
Read the dosing guidelines on the label provided carefully before taking the medicine:
Side Effects & Safety
Milk of Magnesia may cause some side effects that usually go away and do not need medical attention.
However, be sure to monitor yourself or a loved one for the emergence of worsening side effects.
Call your healthcare provider if the following symptoms do not go away.
Common Side Effects
Some common side effects of Milk of Magnesia are loose, watery, or more frequent stools.
Severe Side Effects
Other severe side effects include blood in stool or unable to have a bowel movement 6 hours after use.
Who Should Avoid Taking Milk of Magnesia?
Ask your healthcare provider before taking Milk of Magnesia if you have recently experienced any of the following:
Avoid taking any other medication before or after 2 hours of taking Milk of Magnesia to avoid any side effects.
Such examples include:
When non-medical management does not prevent or improve constipation symptoms, then laxatives are an option to manage constipation.
Summary
OTC laxatives are a first-line treatment option when dietary or lifestyle modifications are ineffective.
Milk of Magnesia is an OTC saline laxative used to treat occasional constipation. It softens the stool in the intestine and makes it easy to pass.
The oral suspension starts working within 30 minutes to 6 hours after taking it.
However, use this medicine for a week at maximum. It is a commonly used medicine but may have side effects such as vomiting or blood in stool.
Call your healthcare provider if you have any other medical condition before taking this medicine.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStore Milk of Magnesia in a secure location at room temperature (68-77 degrees F) and avoid freezing.Also, be sure to keep this product away from any areas susceptible to high levels of heat or moisture. Finally, if applicable, keep all medications out of reach of children and pets.Probiotics are beneficial bacteria similar to microorganisms found naturally in the human gut.You can take magnesium with probiotics.
Store Milk of Magnesia in a secure location at room temperature (68-77 degrees F) and avoid freezing.Also, be sure to keep this product away from any areas susceptible to high levels of heat or moisture. Finally, if applicable, keep all medications out of reach of children and pets.
Store Milk of Magnesia in a secure location at room temperature (68-77 degrees F) and avoid freezing.
Also, be sure to keep this product away from any areas susceptible to high levels of heat or moisture. Finally, if applicable, keep all medications out of reach of children and pets.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria similar to microorganisms found naturally in the human gut.You can take magnesium with probiotics.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria similar to microorganisms found naturally in the human gut.
You can take magnesium with probiotics.
9 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.Dailymed.Label: Milk of Magnesia original-magnesium hydroxide liquid.MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2021;10(1). doi:10.3390/jcm10010143Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754National Health Service.Laxatives.DailyMed.Label: Almacone Double Strength- aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, dimethicone suspension.MedlinePlus.Constipation.Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, et al.Health benefits of probiotics: a review.ISRN Nutr.2013;2013:481651. doi:10.5402/2013/481651Mahboobi S, Ghasvarian M, Ghaem H, Alipour H, Alipour S, Eftekhari MH.Effects of probiotic and magnesium co-supplementation on mood, cognition, intestinal barrier function and inflammation in individuals with obesity and depressed mood: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.Front Nutr. 2022;9:1018357. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1018357
9 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.Dailymed.Label: Milk of Magnesia original-magnesium hydroxide liquid.MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2021;10(1). doi:10.3390/jcm10010143Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754National Health Service.Laxatives.DailyMed.Label: Almacone Double Strength- aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, dimethicone suspension.MedlinePlus.Constipation.Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, et al.Health benefits of probiotics: a review.ISRN Nutr.2013;2013:481651. doi:10.5402/2013/481651Mahboobi S, Ghasvarian M, Ghaem H, Alipour H, Alipour S, Eftekhari MH.Effects of probiotic and magnesium co-supplementation on mood, cognition, intestinal barrier function and inflammation in individuals with obesity and depressed mood: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.Front Nutr. 2022;9:1018357. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1018357
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.
Dailymed.Label: Milk of Magnesia original-magnesium hydroxide liquid.MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2021;10(1). doi:10.3390/jcm10010143Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754National Health Service.Laxatives.DailyMed.Label: Almacone Double Strength- aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, dimethicone suspension.MedlinePlus.Constipation.Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, et al.Health benefits of probiotics: a review.ISRN Nutr.2013;2013:481651. doi:10.5402/2013/481651Mahboobi S, Ghasvarian M, Ghaem H, Alipour H, Alipour S, Eftekhari MH.Effects of probiotic and magnesium co-supplementation on mood, cognition, intestinal barrier function and inflammation in individuals with obesity and depressed mood: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.Front Nutr. 2022;9:1018357. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1018357
Dailymed.Label: Milk of Magnesia original-magnesium hydroxide liquid.
MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.
Werth BL, Christopher SA.Laxative use in the community: a literature review.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2021;10(1). doi:10.3390/jcm10010143
Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-19. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754
National Health Service.Laxatives.
DailyMed.Label: Almacone Double Strength- aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, dimethicone suspension.
MedlinePlus.Constipation.
Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, et al.Health benefits of probiotics: a review.ISRN Nutr.2013;2013:481651. doi:10.5402/2013/481651
Mahboobi S, Ghasvarian M, Ghaem H, Alipour H, Alipour S, Eftekhari MH.Effects of probiotic and magnesium co-supplementation on mood, cognition, intestinal barrier function and inflammation in individuals with obesity and depressed mood: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.Front Nutr. 2022;9:1018357. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1018357
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