A 48-year-old member asked:
How fast milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) work?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Yash Khannaanswered
Family Medicine 59 years experience
1/2 HOUR TO 6 HOURS: It may work as an antacid within 30 minutes and as a laxative it may take 6 hours to 12 hours.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Raymond Chow commented
Pharmacology 10 years experience
Check with the dosing on the product label, since generally lower doses are used for acid reduction (1-3 TEAspoons), and higher to move the bowels (1-3 TABLEspoons).
Nov 26, 2013
Similar questions
A 30-year-old member asked:
Is milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) habit forming?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Yash Khannaanswered
Family Medicine 59 years experience
No it is not: No it is not habit forming but some people tend to use it over long period of time to help move bowels.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
How long should I give milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) to work?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide): Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) usually takes effect (leads to a bowel movement ) in half an hour to six hours – but this is variable.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
How much time does it take for milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) to work?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide): Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) usually takes effect (leads to a bowel movement ) in half an hour to six hours – but this is variable.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Will milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) still work even if expired?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Frank Kuitemsanswered
Internal Medicine 38 years experience
Yes: yes as long as it did not get much hotter than room temperature
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) problem; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Why?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Vivek Huilgolanswered
Gastroenterology 37 years experience
Amount taken: The amount taken plus the amount of fluid consumed plus your varying diet plus activity all have an impact. Feel free to vary the dose up and down as needed and make sure you drink enough water.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 5, 2018
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