Should You Take Milk Of Magnesia On An Empty Stomach

Getting The Most From Your Treatment

Benefits of Milk of Magnesia

It is important for you to drink plenty while you are constipated. Adults should aim to drink at least two litres of fluid per day. Most sorts of drink will do but as a start, try just drinking a glass of water 3-4 times a day in addition to what you normally drink.
Try to eat a balanced diet containing high-fibre foods such as wholemeal and wholegrain breads and cereals, fruit and vegetables, brown rice and wholemeal pasta. If you are not used to a high-fibre diet, it may be best to increase the amount of fibre you eat gradually.
Keeping your body active will help you to keep your digestive system moving, so try to take some regular daily exercise.
You may wish to include some foods in your diet that contain sorbitol. Sorbitol is a naturally occurring sugar. It is not digested very well and draws water into your bowel which has an effect of softening stools. Fruits that have a high sorbitol content include apples, apricots, gooseberries, grapes , peaches, pears, plums, prunes, raspberries and strawberries.
You can read more about how to prevent or treat constipation in the separate condition leaflets called Constipation and Constipation in Children.

Recommended Daily Allowances For Magnesium

For Adults:

Women: 300 mg per day
Pregnant women: 350 mg per day
Breastfeeding mothers: 320 mg per day

For Children:

From birth to 3 years: 30 to 80 mg per day
From 4 to 8 years: 130 mg per day
From 9 to 13 years: 240 mg per day
From 14 to 18 years: 410 for boys, 360 for girls

These recommended amounts include magnesium that you get from different sources food, medications and dietary supplements.

How Does Milk Of Magnesia Work

Magnesium is a very important mineral which humans require for many processes. Muscles and nerves need this naturally occurring mineral the most to function properly.

How does milk of magnesia work? Magnesium hydroxide, which is commonly known as milk of magnesia, is an over-the-counter medicament. You do not need a prescription to buy it at drug stores. For the most part, people use milk of magnesia as a laxative, but it can also serve as an antacid. The former aids with constipation and the latter is used for heartburn, sour stomach, and aid for indigestion.

Read on to find out more about the uses, side effects, and proper dosage of magnesium hydroxide.

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How To Take Milk Of Magnesia

Patient was educated on how to take Milk of Magnesia as follows:

Take Milk of Magnesia by mixing it with a full 8 oz. of water mixed with one oz. of fruit juice, as this will help contain the unpleasant nauseating sensation of the laxative. Also, Milk of Magnesia when taken with liberal amounts of water can help prevent any symptoms of dehydration, as they are at high risk for inducing fluid volume depletion.

Take it at the same time every day, to avoid forgetting the medication.

Maintain strict compliance with intake of Milk of Magnesia as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the laxative.

Do not overdose on Milk of Magnesia, to increase the ease of having a bowel movement.

Do not change the dose on Milk of Magnesia without consulting your doctor.

Watch out for any signs and symptoms of worsening of constipation, any intense acute abdominal pain, and any rectal bleed to report to your doctor immediately, so that, a change in plan could be considered.

Milk of Magnesia takes about 2 to 3 hours to bring on a bowel movement. Milk of Magnesia can be taken early morning on empty stomach with 8 oz. of water mixed with one oz. of fruit juice.

If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose.

Milk Of Magnesia Dosage

Can You Take Magnesium Citrate After Eating?

Milk of Magnesia dosages can differ depending on your age and the product you purchase. The severity of your symptoms may also require a larger dose than recommended for someone with mild symptoms.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine recommends the following dosages:

Adults: 2 to 4 tablespoons
Children 12 years and older: 2 to 4 tablespoons
Children 6 to 11 years: 1 to 2 tablespoons
Children under 6 years: Consult with a pediatrician

Depending on the brand, each tablespoon may contain between 500 and 1,200 milligrams of magnesium hydroxide, so adults can take up to 2,000 milligrams. Milk of Magnesia is safe for children, but the dosage depends on their age. For accurate dosage information based on your unique situation, consult with your doctor.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, too many supplements containing magnesium can cause diarrhea. While people who use Milk of Magnesium laxatives do so to increase the frequency of bowel movements, diarrhea is an unwanted side effect.

Does Magnesium Break Your Fast

First things first, we need to determine what your goal with Intermittent Fasting is. If you’re following a fasting protocol for therapeutic or religious purposes, then anything will break your fast.

However, if you’re using Intermittent Fasting to tap into fat burning mechanisms, reduce bloating and achieve your weight loss goal, then magnesium will not break your fast.

But before you start taking your magnesium during your fasted period, you need to make sure that your supplement doesn’t contain sugar. Sugar WILL break your fast because it will stimulate your storing hormone, insulin. If you’re using magnesium in a capsule form, then most likely you’re safe. However, if you’re using a stir-in powder or gummies, then it’s important you take a look at the supplement facts label. Gummies will nearly always have sugar in them. You’re better off swapping this type of magnesium supplement for a capsule or sugar-free powder form. As for the powder form, it’s still worth checking the supplement facts for sugar. Sneaky forms include maltodextrin, dextrose, caramel and anything that says “syrup”.

A Dose Of Milk Of Magnesia For Constipation Includes A Glass Of Water

In liquid form, the dosage to relieve for people 12 years and older is 2 to 4 tablespoons, usually taken at bedtime, followed by at least 8 ounces of water. For an upset stomach, take 1 to 3 tablespoons, up to four times a day. Always follow the directions on the package and do not take more than the recommended amount.

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Should You Take Milk Of Magnesia Before Or After You Eat

Milk of magnesia is available to buy as either a tablet or a liquid. When using the tablet form, a person usually needs to chew tablet before swallowing. Milk of magnesia is available as a regular strength liquid or a concentrated liquid. People should not give the concentrated liquid to children under the age of 12.

Before Taking Magnesium Hydroxide

The BEST Makeup Primer – Milk of Magnesia!

To make sure that this is the right treatment for you, ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice before you start taking magnesium hydroxide if:

You are pregnant. This is because if you are expecting a baby, medicines should only be taken on the advice of a doctor.
You have problems with the way your kidneys work, or problems with the way your liver works.
You have severe tummy pain, cramping, or sickness.
You are taking any prescription medicines. This is because magnesium hydroxide can reduce the absorption of many medicines.
You have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Do not freeze the suspension.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

How Milk Of Magnesia Works For Constipation

Milk of magnesia is a type of hyperosmotic laxative. This kind of oral laxative works by drawing water to the bowel from nearby tissue. This softens and moistens the stool. It also helps increase bowel activity.

Saline, lactulose, and polymer laxatives are the three types of hyperosmotic laxatives. Milk of magnesia is a saline laxative. These kinds of laxatives are also known as salts. Theyre meant to be fast acting. You can expect to have a bowel movement within six hours of taking milk of magnesia.

Lactulose laxatives draw more water to the bowel from surrounding tissue, but they act more slowly than saline types. People use lactulose types for chronic constipation.

If you have recurring bouts of constipation or if you need a long-term treatment, milk of magnesia isnt an appropriate option.

Milk Of Magnesia Used For Other Digestive Problems

In addition to constipation relief, magnesium hydroxide can aid with acid indigestion and heartburn relief. If you are using it as an antacid, you might also feel its laxative properties. Milk of magnesia should not be used in this manner for longer than two weeks, though.

Consult with your medical practitioner before you use milk of magnesia to treat your childs digestive problems. If you are an adult, you can take several 5-15 ml doses with water. The maximum daily intake is 60 ml, which means that you can take up to 4 doses of 15 ml or up to 12 doses of 5 ml a day.

Milk Of Magnesia For Constipation

People of all ages should drink a full glass, or 8 ounces, of water with each dose of milk of magnesia. Use the 15 ml dosing cup or spoon provided for accuracy. It is best to take the medication at bedtime.

Using the original version of milk of magnesia for constipation, the dosage in milliliters varies depending on a persons age:

adults can take 30 60 ml
children aged 6 to 11 can take 15 30 ml
ask a doctor before giving this medication to children under 6 years old

For the concentrated version of milk of magnesia, the dosage is lower:

adults can take 15 30 ml
ask a doctor before giving this medication to children under 12 years old

There are also chewable tablets for children. Children should drink a full glass of liquid with each dose. The dosage varies depending on age:

children aged 6 to 13 can take 36 tablets per day
children aged 2 to 6 can take 13 tablets per day
ask a doctor before giving this medication to children under 2 years old

People should not take milk of magnesia as a laxative for more than 7 days in a row. Anyone who is still in need of a laxative or has persistent pain in their stomach area should talk to a doctor.

Milk of magnesia usually relieves constipation within 6 hours of taking it. If a person does not have a bowel movement after using milk of magnesia, they should stop using it and talk to a doctor. There may be another cause of constipation that doctors can treat.

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How Should I Take Milk Of Magnesia

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device .

You may need to shake the oral suspension before each use.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

When taken as a laxative, Milk of Magnesia should produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hours.

Do not use Milk of Magnesia for longer than 7 days without medical advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Who May Not Be Able To Take Antacids

Antacids are safe for most people to take, but they’re not suitable for everyone.

Speak to a pharmacist or a GP for advice first if you:

are pregnant or breastfeeding;;most antacids are considered safe to take;while pregnant or breastfeeding, but always get advice first
are looking for a medicine for a child under 12 years of age; some antacids are not recommended for children
have liver disease,;kidney disease;or;heart failure; some antacids may not be safe if you have one of these problems
have an illness;that means you need to control how much salt is in your diet, such as;high blood pressure or cirrhosis; some antacids contain high levels of sodium, which could make you unwell
are taking other medicines; antacids can interfere with other medicines and may need be avoided or taken at a different time

Page last reviewed: 13 November 2019 Next review due: 13 November 2022

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Taking Antacids With Food Alcohol And Other Medicines

It’s best to take antacids with food;or soon after eating because this is when you’re most likely to;get indigestion or heartburn.

The effect of the medicine may also last longer if taken with food.

Antacids can affect how well other medicines work, so do not take other medicines within 2 to 4;hours of taking an antacid.

You can drink alcohol while taking antacids, but alcohol can irritate your stomach and make your symptoms worse.

Dosage Of Magnesium For Magnesium Deficiency

The day before surgery/drinking Milk of Magnesia

People with magnesium deficiency generally take magnesium supplements by mouth. If the deficiency is severe, the magnesium can also be delivered intravenously.

The doses for magnesium deficiency vary between individuals and depend on the severity of the condition. For mild hypomagnesemia, the dose can start at 500mg of magnesium chloride taken once a day. For severe magnesium deficiency, the dose can be as high as 4 grams of magnesium chloride given within a couple of hours.

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Milk Of Magnesia Can Interact With Other Medications

Most people tolerate milk of magnesia well, but it can cause cramps, , and . If you are on prescription medicine, ask your doctor if you can take milk of magnesia, because it can interact with other drugs. People with should avoid taking too much milk of magnesia. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor before taking a laxative, including milk of magnesia.

Why Cant I Empty My Bowels Completely

Rectal tenesmus, or tenesmus, is a feeling of being unable to empty the large bowel of stool, even if there is nothing left to expel. Several medical conditions can cause tenesmus. These include inflammatory bowel disease , colorectal cancer, and disorders that affect how muscles move food through the gut.

Magnesium For Headaches And Migraines

Magnesium is taken by migraine sufferers because it has been found that people who frequently experience headaches and migraines tend to have low blood and brain magnesium levels .

University of Maryland recommends taking 300 to 600mg of magnesium per day. One study in premenopausal women has shown that even 200mg of magnesium per day brought about significant relief and decreased frequency of migraine attacks.

Milk Of Magnesia Constipation Relief

Why You Should Rethink Using Milk Of Magnesia As A Face ...

There are many laxatives on the market herbal teas, natural laxatives and harsh laxatives. Milk of Magnesia is a safe option that provides relief. When taken in the proper dosage, magnesium hydroxide laxatives can be gentle on the stomach. Users typically do not experience cramping or gurgling after taking Milk of Magnesia.

Since magnesium hydroxide products draw water into stools, it is important to stay hydrated while using Milk of Magnesia. Always follow a dose with a large glass of water. You can also drink water throughout the day and eat foods that are rich in water content, such as fruits and vegetables. Milk of Magnesia can also be taken with other digestive supplements, such as probiotics, stool softeners and digestive enzymes.

Some experts, such as Mayo Clinic, recommend using Milk of Magnesia constipation remedy only after implementing a dietary approach. Some changes to diet, especially increasing fiber intake, are believed to relieve constipation. If that does not work, Mayo Clinic recommends using Milk of Magnesia to find relief.

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Does Milk Of Magnesia Raise Blood Pressure

3. Milk of magnesia can interact with other medications. Most people tolerate milk of magnesia well, but it can cause cramps, diarrhea, and low blood pressure. If you are on prescription medicine, ask your doctor if you can take milk of magnesia, because it can interact with other drugs.