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
Similar questions
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
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
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 37-year-old member asked:
Is one overdose of milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) harmful?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Richard Bensingeranswered
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.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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 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.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Tarek Naguib commented
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
Last updated Jan 26, 2021
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