Some people take Milk of Magnesia, which contains magnesium hydroxide, to alleviate constipation. While some studies find a benefit,[1][2][3][4] its overall efficacy is unclear due to a lack of high-quality research.[5][6] Other studies have found that magnesium oxide might also improve constipation;[7][8][9] similarly, however, further high-quality research is needed to draw firm conclusions concerning its efficacy.
It’s important to note that Milk of Magnesia has several drug interactions (e.g., aspirin, prednisone, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)); therefore, people who use medications should consult their doctor before using Milk of Magnesia/magnesium hydroxide. Furthermore, Milk of Magnesia interacts with several conditions. People with intestinal disorders, kidney problems, or inflammatory bowel disease should also consult their doctor before using Milk of Magnesia/magnesium hydroxide.
References
- ^Worona-Dibner L, Vázquez-Frias R, Valdez-Chávez L, Verdiguel-Oyola MEfficacy, safety, and acceptability of polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes vs magnesium hydroxide in functional constipation in children from six months to eighteen years of age: A controlled clinical trial.Rev Gastroenterol Mex (Engl Ed).(2023 Apr-Jun)
- ^Hassanein SMA, Deifallah SM, Bastawy HAEfficacy of oral magnesium therapy in the treatment of chronic constipation in spastic cerebral palsy children: a randomized controlled trial.World J Pediatr.(2021 Feb)
- ^Loening-Baucke V, Pashankar DSA randomized, prospective, comparison study of polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes and milk of magnesia for children with constipation and fecal incontinence.Pediatrics.(2006 Aug)
- ^Kang SJ, Cho YS, Lee TH, Kim SE, Ryu HS, Kim JW, Park SY, Lee YJ, Shin JE, Constipation Research Group of the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and MotilityMedical Management of Constipation in Elderly Patients: Systematic Review.J Neurogastroenterol Motil.(2021 Oct 30)
- ^Ramkumar D, Rao SSEfficacy and safety of traditional medical therapies for chronic constipation: systematic review.Am J Gastroenterol.(2005 Apr)
- ^Bridget Candy, Louise Jones, Philip J Larkin, Victoria Vickerstaff, Adrian Tookman, Patrick StoneLaxatives for the management of constipation in people receiving palliative careCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2015 May 13)
- ^Morishita D, Tomita T, Mori S, Kimura T, Oshima T, Fukui H, Miwa HSenna Versus Magnesium Oxide for the Treatment of Chronic Constipation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.Am J Gastroenterol.(2021-Jan-01)
- ^Moradian ST, Ghiasi MS, Mohamadpour A, Siavash YOral magnesium supplementation reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal complications following cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.Magnes Res.(2017 Feb 1)
- ^Kistemaker KRJ, Sijani F, Brinkman DJ, de Graeff A, Burchell GL, Steegers MAH, van Zuylen LPharmacological prevention and treatment of opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Cancer Treat Rev.(2024 Apr)