A 35-year-old member asked:
can i use milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) daily?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Tarek Naguibanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 40 years experience
Not for long term: Side effects include hypermagnesemia which could cause heart rhythm trouble. Hypermagnesemia occurs specially in persons with slow kidneys. Would suggest alternating it with other cathartics if you have constipation. Several options exist i.e. Senna preparations, plymerizedethylene glycol preparations called MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) or its generic form, flaxseed oil, and prune juice. May check with pharmacist too.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tarek Naguib commented
Nephrology and Dialysis 40 years experience
Provided original answer
Also, if you have long term constipation, you need to make sure a physician has cleared long term treatment i.e. cancer colon was excluded by a scope.
Jun 4, 2012
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