Milk of Magnesia

Generic name: Magnesium Hydroxide

Usage of Milk of Magnesia

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. Milk of Magnesia reduces stomach acid, and increases water in the intestines which may induce bowel movements.

Milk of Magnesia is used as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation.

Milk of Magnesia is also used as an antacid to relieve indigestion, sour stomach, and heartburn.

Milk of Magnesia may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Milk of Magnesia side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Milk of Magnesia may cause serious side effects. Stop using Milk of Magnesia and call your doctor at once if you have:

severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

no bowel movement after using the medicine as a laxative;

rectal bleeding; or

worsening symptoms.

Common side effects of Milk of Magnesia may include:

diarrhea; or

a decreased sense of taste.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Milk of Magnesia

Do not use Milk of Magnesia without a doctor's advice if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if Milk of Magnesia is safe to use if:

you have kidney disease;

you are on a low-magnesium diet; or

you have a sudden change in bowel habits that has been ongoing for longer than 2 weeks.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to use Milk of Magnesia

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You may need to shake the oral suspension before each use.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

When taken as a laxative, Milk of Magnesia should produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hours.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with Milk of Magnesia does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this medicine.

Do not use Milk of Magnesia for longer than 7 days without medical advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

Do not use Milk of Magnesia without a doctor's advice if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

What other drugs will affect Milk of Magnesia

Other drugs may affect Milk of Magnesia, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.