A 39-year-old member asked:
Took milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) but nothing has happened? what does this mean?
1 doctor answer • 2 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
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 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
Last updated May 19, 2015
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