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A 32-year-old member asked:

Can you have a milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) overdose?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Danny Proffitt
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Yes: Especially if you have renal/kidney disease. It will also give you a great case of diarrhea. Magnesium is an essential mineral. It is poorly absorbed by the GI tract, thus it's use as a laxative. It is excreted by the kidneys, thus with renal disease, use caution. A good dose (overdose) by mouth will usually just give a really bad case of diarrhea.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 37-year-old member asked:

Is one overdose of milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) harmful?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Richard Bensinger
Ophthalmology 54 years experience
no harm: Your body will not react to this and it will cause no problems for you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:

Can I use milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) daily?

1 doctor answer4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Tarek Naguib
Nephrology and Dialysis 42 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.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Tarek Naguib
Nephrology and Dialysis 42 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
A 44-year-old member asked:

Is milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) healthy?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Alan Ali
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
MOM: If used occasionally as antacid/laxative. Regular use can deplete your potassium.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:

What are the uses of milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Alan Ali
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
MOM: Magnesium hydroxide is used as antacid & as laxative, and topically for canker sores (aphthos ulcers). Some believe it can be used topically on the scalp to releave dandruff.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 48-year-old member asked:

What is the treatment for milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) overdose?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Danny Proffitt
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Time: It will run through you (runs) and once through, it's done! the faster the better so that you do not have time to absorb it into the body. If concerned, call poison control or your pcp or if indicated, go to the er.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

A 39-year-old member asked:
Is milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) safe every 4 days?
1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
A male asked:
Will milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) still work even if expired?
1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
A female asked:
Will milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) work 2-4 hours after taking?
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A 43-year-old member asked:
How much time does it take for milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) to work?
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I had milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) nearly 23 hours ago. What happens?
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Last updated Aug 15, 2018
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