How does phillips milk of magnesia work

For children, the daily dose is the same as that for constipation, however the dose may be divided and given up to 4 times daily e. Shake the suspension well before taking it. Use an oral syringe or measuring spoon to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor or pharmacist has recommended a dose different from the ones above, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater e. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired. Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses.

Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:. Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication. Digestive tract symptoms: Fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or bloating could be symptoms of appendicitis.

Speak with your doctor before taking magnesium hydroxide if you have any of these symptoms. If you have an ileostomy or colostomy, it is recommended that you avoid magnesium hydroxide and other laxatives.

Heart disease: Magnesium can cause a condition called heart block , a slowing down of the heart rate. Due to this side effect, magnesium hydroxide is generally not recommended for people with heart block.

Kidney function: If you have decreased function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. It can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail outlets. To make sure that this is the right treatment for you, ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice before you start taking magnesium hydroxide if:.

Occasionally, people who have taken magnesium hydroxide have experienced digestive symptoms such as mild diarrhoea and stomach cramps. If either of these happens to you, stop taking it. Other side-effects are unlikely but if you do experience any other symptoms, speak with a doctor or pharmacist for further advice. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital.

Take the container with you, even if it is empty. If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. Dated July Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.

The dosage varies depending on age:. People should not take milk of magnesia as a laxative for more than 7 days in a row. Anyone who is still in need of a laxative or has persistent pain in their stomach area should talk to a doctor. Milk of magnesia usually relieves constipation within 6 hours of taking it.

If a person does not have a bowel movement after using milk of magnesia, they should stop using it and talk to a doctor. 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. People should not use milk of magnesia for more than 7 days at a time for constipation or 14 days at a time for other digestive issues.

Ongoing symptoms can be a sign of a more serious gut health condition, so if the problem persists, a person should see their doctor. Milk of magnesia works by drawing water into the bowel from the surrounding tissue.