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
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A 33-year-old member asked:
Could i take milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) 1 hour after overindulging in food?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
46 years experience
Milk of Mag: You could, yes, but to what end? MOM will create diarrhea but it will not diminish calorie digestion and absorption very much. Purging is not a "solution" -- if you over-indulge, exercise - walk - jog - cycle = burn calories, don't purge, please. Then try to change eating patterns: indulge in apples, pears, peaches, other fruits and vegetables; don't indulge in breads, starches, fats.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Can you have a milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) overdose?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Danny Proffittanswered
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.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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
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 Apr 17, 2018
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