Constipation is a very common problem in the United States, affecting 16 out of adults, and 33 out of adults aged 60 and older. Dulcolax and Miralax are two popular, FDA approved over-the-counter laxatives used to treat occasional constipation and irregularity.
Dulcolax contains bisacodyl, a stimulant laxative. It works by increasing the activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.
Miralax contains polyethylene glycol , an osmotic laxative. It works by attracting water in the colon, which softens stools and makes them easier to pass. Both medications are known as laxatives and help treat constipation. However, they do have some differences. Continue reading to learn more about Dulcolax and Miralax. Dulcolax Dulcolax coupons Dulcolax details is a stimulant laxative available in brand and generic, and in tablet and rectal suppository form, containing the ingredient bisacodyl.
Dulcolax as a brand name is also available in various other formulations, which do not contain bisacodyl, such as liquid and soft chews which contain magnesium and a stool softener which contains docusate sodium. For the purpose of this review, we will focus on Dulcolax, which contains bisacodyl. Miralax Miralax coupons Miralax details s an osmotic laxative containing the ingredient polyethylene glycol It is available in brand and generic, in powder and powder packet form.
You may also see Gavilax , which is the same as Miralax. Sign up for Miralax price alerts and find out when the price changes! Get price alerts. Dulcolax tablets and suppositories are used for the temporary relief of occasional constipation and irregularity. The tablets produce a bowel movement in six to 12 hours, and the suppositories work quicker, producing a bowel movement in minutes. Miralax is also indicated for the relief of occasional constipation and irregularity and produces a bowel movement in one to three days.
Dulcolax or Miralax are often used in bowel preparation for a procedure, such as a colonoscopy. When you are preparing for a procedure, your surgeon will give you a list of foods and drinks such as Gatorade you can consume on a clear liquid diet, along with a bowel prep procedure.
Studies have not compared the two drugs head to head for the treatment of occasional constipation. Therefore, when deciding which medication to try, you can look at a few factors. First, you will want to think about how fast you want to go to the bathroom. There may be another cause of constipation that doctors can treat. Along with constipation relief, people can also use some versions of milk of magnesia to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion.
Adults should take 5 — 15 ml at a time with water, and repeat up to 4 times per day as needed. They should not take more than 60 ml in any hour period.
When using milk of magnesia as an antacid, it may also have a laxative effect. Do not use milk of magnesia as an antacid for more than 14 days in a row. Talk to a doctor before using milk of magnesia to treat other digestive issues in children under Milk of magnesia also carries more serious side effects. People who experience any of the following should stop using the medicine straight away and seek medical attention:.
Serious side effects are more likely to occur if a person takes more milk of magnesia than is recommended, or if they take it for an extended period. People who are taking this medicine need to make sure they drink plenty of water to prevent becoming dehydrated. If anyone experiences diarrhea after taking a dose of milk of magnesia, they should avoid taking it again. If someone overdoses on milk of magnesia, they should seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:. Some people may be allergic to milk of magnesia. Signs of an allergic reaction that require medical attention include:. Magnesium may be able to cross the placenta into the body of the fetus. However, doctors do not know if milk of magnesia is safe for use during pregnancy as there is no data on this.
Small amounts of magnesium may also make its way into breast milk, but again, doctors do not know the safety of this. Milk of magnesia interferes with a wide range of medicines, which means it affects how they work. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicine, as well as vitamins and supplements. Because of the way it impacts the liquids in the gut, milk of magnesia can stop tablets from being absorbed properly. Milk of magnesia is a well-known and effective laxative for the short-term treatment of constipation.
Milk of magnesia is used for short-term treatment of constipation. Snizhana Serapio Professional. What is the best laxative to clean you out? Stimulant laxatives are the fastest -acting, such as include aloe, cascara Nature's Remedy , senna compounds Ex-Lax, Senokot , bisacodyl Dulcolax, Correctol , and castor oil. Saline laxatives or enemas such as Fleet Phospho-Soda, milk of magnesia, and magnesium citrate. Stephane Mucientes Professional. What is a good replacement for miralax?
Clinical Consult: Miralax and other options for treating constipation. Indara Mazarro Professional. Can MiraLAX worsen constipation? Some people who take MiraLAX have bloating. In one study, about 3 percent of people taking MiraLAX for chronic constipation had bloating as a side effect.
This side effect may decrease or go away with continued use of MiraLAX. Rosa Hoovel Explainer. Is MiraLAX habit forming? Polyethylene glycol may be habit - forming. If you use MiraLax too often or for a prolonged period of time, you could become dependent on laxatives.
Using it often and for an extended time also could result in an electrolyte imbalance. Torri Gandorfer Explainer. What happens if your constipated for too long?
Don't let constipation go unchecked for too long. When untreated, constipation can lead to unpleasant complications such as hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse, a condition in which part of the intestine pushes out through the anus from too much straining. Bouziane Bekmurzov Explainer. Which is better Metamucil or miralax? Miralax is not a fiber-based supplement. The active ingredient is polyethylene glycol, which pulls water into the stool to help relieve constipation.
As it is not a fiber supplement, Miralax does not offer the same additional potential benefits as other brands. Benefiber and Metamucil are fiber supplements. Can J Gastroenterol. Management of Constipation in Older Adults. Am Fam Physician. Cirillo C, Capasso R. Constipation and Botanical Medicines: An Overview. Phytother Res. Wang X, Yin J. Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Chronic Constipation.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Bashir A, Sizar O. In: StatPearls. Treating constipation during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.
We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Fiber Supplements Bulk Laxatives. Osmotic Laxatives Osmotic laxatives work by increasing the amount of fluid secreted within the intestines, resulting in softer and easier-to-pass stools.
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