Milk of Magnesia

Information about Milk of Magnesia

Milk of Magnesia Uses

Milk of Magnesia is used in constipation.

How Milk of Magnesia works

Milk of Magnesia works by drawing water into the intestine through osmosis, which makes the stool soft and easier to pass.

Common side effects of Milk of Magnesia

Diarrhea, Stomach cramp
CONTENT DETAILS
Written By
Dr. Anuj Saini
MMST, MBBS
Reviewed By
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MD (Pharmacology), MBBS
Last updated
18 Feb 2020 | 11:52 AM (UTC)

We provide you with authentic, trustworthy and revelant information

Want to know more

Available Medicine for Milk of Magnesia

Deys Milk OF MagnesiaDeys Medical
₹6 to ₹1044 variant(s)

Expert advice for Milk of Magnesia

  • Milk of Magnesia is used for the treatment of constipation.
  • It should preferably be taken at bedtime as it requires 6 to 8 hours to show effect.
  • It is usually taken once a day as needed for up to 2 weeks. Take it exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
  • Some healthy tips to prevent constipation from happening:
    • Eat more fiber in your diet. Recommended daily intake is 20-35g
    • Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day
    • Exercise regularly at least 3 times per week
    • Do not hold in stool as that can worsen bowel issues
  • Take it atleast 2 hours after taking other medicines, as it may interfere with the absorption of other medicines.
  • Inform your doctor if you have a history of stomach disorders such as appendicitis or a blockage in your bowel.

Frequently asked questions for Milk of Magnesia

Milk of Magnesia

Q. Is it safe to take Milk of Magnesia daily?

Milk of Magnesia should be taken only as advised by the doctor. Milk of Magnesia is safe to use for minor or occasional cases of constipation. It is not for long-term use. Using it regularly may cause the body to become dependent on it, making it difficult for a person to pass stools without using Milk of Magnesia.

Q. Will Milk of Magnesia cleanse your colon?

Milk of Magnesia rapidly cleanse the bowel by causing a watery diarrhea. It works by pulling more water into the intestines, which is called osmosis. When there is more water in the intestines, the stool becomes softer or even watery and is easier to pass.

Q. How long does it take for Milk of Magnesia to start working?

Milk of Magnesia usually starts working within 30 minutes to 3 hours. It works by increasing the fluid in the small intestine, thus making stools softer and easier to pass. As a result, a bowel movement is stimulated by causing a watery diarrhea.

Q. Is Milk of Magnesia safe for adults and toddlers?

Milk of Magnesia is safe for adults and toddlers if used as recommended. However, its safety is not evaluated in children below 3 years. In case of any side effects, consult your doctor.

Q. Is Milk of Magnesia habit-forming?

Milk of Magnesia should be used in the prescribed dose. It is usually recommended to be used in cases of occasional constipation and not for long term use. Using it regularly may cause the body to become dependent on it, making it difficult for a person to pass stools without using Milk of Magnesia.

Q. What are the side effects of Milk of Magnesia?

Milk of Magnesia may cause nausea, flatulence (gas), bloating, dehydration or temporary weight loss due to diarrhea, as the most common side effects of this medicine. However, these are usually not bothersome, but if they do not resolve, please consult your doctor.

INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

260m+
Visitors
31m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App

Connect

  • Social Links
  • Want daily dose of health?
Download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

LegitScript approved
India's only LegitScript and ISO/ IEC 27001:2022 certified online healthcare platform

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.

© 2024 Tata 1mg. All rights reserved. All medicines are dispensed in compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. We do not process requests for Schedule X and habit forming drugs.