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Milk of Magnesia User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Milk of Magnesia has an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 from a total of 52 reviews on Drugs.com. 81% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 4% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Milk of Magnesia

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Zep...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 23, 2021

For Constipation "Milk of Magnesia is great for constipation. It tastes chalky, but what medicine tastes good? It took a couple of hours for me, but when it hit, it hit. First, my stomach was hurting worse than it's ever hurt, then it came. The movement I was waiting for. Luckily, I was in the restroom when the medicine hit, so I ran to a toilet stall, and that was the most I've ever pooped in my life. I was on the toilet for about an hour, but each time a mini explosion went off in the toilet, I could feel it emptying out my bowels. After using the toilet, I had some nasty-smelling gas for a while, but I felt much better. I highly recommend Milk of Magnesia for a stay-at-home laxative. Whatever you do, if you take this medication, don't set your plans on going anywhere. You need to stay at home and stay near a toilet, because when the Milk of Magnesia hits, your bowels won't wait. If you are not on the toilet when it starts hurting, you will have a nasty situation in your pants. I recommend this med."

10 / 10
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12 Report
  • No...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 12, 2023

For Constipation "Due to my recent prescription of Pepcid, I was constipated. For 3-4 days, even after eating fiber, drinking water and coffee, massaging my stomach, and taking stimulant-free laxatives, I had no relief. I had tried stimulant laxatives before, and they gave me excruciating pains in my abdomen. I took 30 ml of 'meh' tasting cherry MOM at about 8 pm, drank at least 20 oz of liquid, and went to bed by 10 pm. Everything seemed fine, and I was anxious for MOM to start its magic that I had heard about. But then came the night farts. Nothing could stop them, just a slow steady stream of gas. They had a brutally unpleasant smell. When my partner came to bed, I had already filled the blankets with the smell after just 30 minutes. He told me the smell was so bad that I should see a doctor. He said that one whiff was enough to kill a bloodhound. It was the most intense gas attack the world has ever seen. However, by noon the next day, the stool came out easily without any mess but was very soft and had a consistency like baby poop. Overall, I would recommend it, but maybe sleep on the couch."

9 / 10
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5 Report
  • bre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 15, 2024

For Constipation "I've suffered with IBS, I used Linzee, it's nasty. I've tried Miralax, hit or miss, but Mom always comes through for me. I take it, and within 2 hours I'm going #2, and it feels great. No diarrhea, no cramps, just pooping."

10 / 10
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2 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Dgu...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 10, 2022

For Constipation "I’ve been taking M.O.M for nearly a century since my mother, a RN, started giving it to me. Although I don't like the regular taste, I’ve found a cherry-tasting variety, which is better. Lately, I’ve had more constipation problems than normal, and this med usually helps. However, taking it on two recent occasions, I knew that it would take a maximum dose to help me. Since I lost the measuring cup, I just drank it out of the bottle. I’m guessing, but that’s why my constipation turned into diarrhea. That can be difficult to stop and takes away some of the good that M.O.M does for the GI system. With the next bottle I buy, I’ll save the cap/measuring cup and follow directions. Also, I see that some reviewers take this once a week, for example, to avoid constipation in the first place. I might try that with a minimum dose and with a doctor’s approval."

10 / 10
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  • Z10...
  • February 1, 2015

For Constipation "I have motility issues (i.e., idiopathic constipation) and Milk of Magnesia works, but causes severe bloating for me. For anyone with this issue, Dulcolax is enterically coated, so no bloating. But the urge to 'go' comes on very, very suddenly."

5 / 10
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23 Report

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  • Pma...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 3, 2020

For Constipation "Been having really bad pain in my lower right belly and backed up for 3 days and throwing up. Couldn't keep food down. I was really bloated and constipated and in a lot of pain. Tried the Milk of Magnesia and it worked in an hour, but then I have been up with really bad diarrhea non-stop and cramps. I took the lowest dose."

5 / 10
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  • Loa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 19, 2020

For Constipation "I suffer from constipation due to taking opiates (Subutex to be exact), and lately I’ve been having a HARD time poopin’. I took this while pregnant and after I gave birth. Worked as intended. I took the whole cap full a couple days ago, and I’m still feeling the effects two days later, but it's tapering off. I tried a stimulant laxative, magnesium, etc. This was pretty much same-day effective for me, within hours to be exact. I would definitely recommend being home for the whole day or close to a toilet...."

9 / 10
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10 Report
  • Ano...
  • November 19, 2020

For Constipation "I am not the type to write a review, I never have. But, I just needed to say how well this worked for me. I have been constipated for 4 days now. I took 4 tablespoons of MOM and drank water. Approximately an hour later, I chugged more water, and it hit me and cleared me out. This works wonders."

10 / 10
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9 Report
  • Nan...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 22, 2020

For Constipation "Took MOM (Milk of Magnesia) yesterday afternoon around 3:40 pm to be exact. It did not start working until almost 7 hours later, and it’s still working after 12 hours later. Started out as very watery stools, then it hit like crazy. I hope I never have to use this again. Definitely works, that's for sure. Just don’t go far from the bathroom and drink water to keep from being dehydrated."

9 / 10
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  • Sil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 25, 2021

For Constipation "I used the Philip's gentle overnight relief version of this (30 ml separate doses). It works, but it took about 15 hrs to produce results rather than the 30 mins to 6 hours they say on the label. One major thing I'm not a fan of is how wet it'll start getting down below within the first hour of taking it. Also, make sure you keep a drink and maybe food with you, as this can dehydrate you pretty good in the process."

6 / 10
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9 Report
  • bra...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 11, 2023

For Constipation "There's really only two meds I can take for constipation, and milk of magnesia is one, and it works quicker. So, I really like this medication. It's also gentle. I do have a sensitive stomach, so sometimes I get mild nausea, fullness, and tiredness because that's how the magnesium affects me in milk of magnesia, but thankfully, those side effects usually only last a few hours. I wish I didn't have to take it, but it does work. There have been times where it's taken a few days to work, but it often provides bowel movements in 4-8 hours. You could also take it with other products (not magnesium-based) for quicker relief. There have been times I didn't know I was constipated and was close to having a blockage as I've had symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, bloating, pain, and no appetite. It's horrible. I wish everyone well!"

10 / 10
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3 Report
  • RRi...
  • March 9, 2013

For Indigestion "As an antacid, I allow one caplet, 311 mg, to slowly dissolve in my mouth before bedtime. Although the use instructions say to chew up to 4 caplets for use as an antacid, by allowing a single caplet to slowly dissolve, less MoM is needed, and it seems to work better. It's also better for me than liquid because the dose is more accurately controlled when the caplet is allowed to slowly dissolve."

10 / 10
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16 Report
  • cit...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 18, 2013

For Indigestion "Milk of Magnesia caplets and liquid work very well for indigestion in a small dose. Watch out for use on consecutive days because dosage is cumulative. When I took antacid doses on consecutive days, it worked as a mild laxative on the third day. Caplets are easier to handle than liquid, although caplets have a slightly chalky taste. Caplet flavors partially overcome the chalky taste. Liquid has a uniquely strange flavor that the manufacturer tries to overcome with flavors."

10 / 10
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18 Report
  • Poo...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 8, 2023

For Constipation "I’ve been taking MOM for years. I try to keep to twice a week or less. I have pelvic floor dysfunction. I take Citrucel and eat high-fiber foods. Sometimes the constipation catches up with me. I have to take MOM for relief. I take a full dose, but sometimes I have to add 30 ml hours later to work, but it does the job. I drink a couple of cups of water with it. I do experience nausea and sometimes cramps, but it’s better than being plugged up. I recommend it."

9 / 10
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3 Report
  • Mar...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 23, 2024

For Constipation "After 2 days without a BM, decided to take MoM at 10 p.m. with a full dose of 60 ml, plus 8 oz. of water. At 6 a.m. the next morning, I woke up feeling that I needed to go. As I got up from the toilet after a watery BM and started to walk away, I felt that I needed to go again and sat down for another watery BM. Once again, I started to walk away and needed to go back, this time finishing what felt like a thorough clean out. I would use again but might try 45 ml instead of 60 ml. Best laxative I've tried."

10 / 10
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1 Report
  • Bac...
  • April 22, 2021

For Constipation "Well, after reading these reviews, I was so, so, so excited to feel some relief! But it didn't give me any. :( I took the max dose, as I haven't had a bowel movement in over 7 days. I literally peed out of my butt for 24 hours but am still totally backed up and constipated. All it did was dehydrate me and make me better acquainted with the toilet."

3 / 10
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6 Report
  • Les...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 29, 2024

For Constipation "For constipation, I tried a stool softener and medicated plus non-medicated suppositories and got only partial relief. Nothing seemed to completely clear things out. Then I took 45 ml of MOM at 9 p.m. with lots of water, and at 6 a.m. the next morning, I started hearing stomach noises followed by an urge to go that led to a series of watery BMs over the next hour that satisfactorily cleared things out. MOM is definitely something to keep in the medicine cabinet."

10 / 10
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  • Geo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 19, 2021

For Constipation "I’ve been having more than usual constipation lately. There’s a good chance that it’s from my poor diet. At least I now have a bottle of MoM ready. Mostly because, decades ago, my mother, an RN, gave it to me and my three siblings. I hated the taste then, and the “original” sold now is still bad tasting. But I took it anyway and, unfortunately, a little extra, thinking that was needed. If you read of others' experience with taking extra, you know what happens. With me, it worked overnight and then kept on working. Diarrhea is NOT what I wanted. Next time, I’ll be more careful, maybe starting at a low dose. Be sure to read the directions and use the supplied measuring cup. You’ll probably be very happy with MoM."

10 / 10
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  • Lou...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 30, 2023

For Constipation "Hadn't had a normal stool in about three weeks! Had one today. Doctor prescribed a new time-release ER Beta Blocker for occasional heart palpitations, and that taken with Milk of Magnesia sped up the process to only one hour! Too fast for most people, I believe! Regular Beta Blockers cause constipation and diarrhea as side effects, but the new ER Beta Blocker 60 mg might speed up the process too fast for some people! Otherwise, I feel Milk of Magnesia should not be taken with ER meds entirely!"

8 / 10
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  • Ano...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 25, 2024

For Constipation "I am an old guy with a digestive system not as strong as it used to be. When I have an incomplete BM or a missed BM once or twice per month, I will take a half dose (30 ml) of MoM at bedtime to move things along. I drink at least 8 oz of water while taking small sips of MoM to avoid chalk taste but notice thirst for more water through the night. A hot cup of coffee with some fruit in the morning initiates a BM, followed by successive ones over an hour or two. MoM is effective."

10 / 10
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  • SJ ...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 27, 2025

For Constipation "I am an old guy who had incomplete BMs for 2 days followed by nothing the next day, so on the afternoon of that day I took 60 ml of MoM before a small vegetarian meal at 6:30 p.m. with lots of water. At 11:30 p.m. I had a watery BM that felt like a thorough cleanout. Slept very well afterwards. MoM gets a 10-star rating."

10 / 10
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  • Shi...
  • December 25, 2024

For Constipation "I have taken MOM for five days with lots of water. My stomach hurts and is bloated. The heartburn is bad and my stool is harder than ever. I have suffered with my hemorrhoids, and my butt is puckered up and so sore I can't sit, stand, or walk, it hurts so bad. I am glad that MOM worked so well for others. I will give it one more try. I hope I have good luck. It tastes good as it's cherry flavored. I have drank a ton of water and nothing yet. I had no side effects, only heartburn and a gurgle in my stomach and being bloated."

6 / 10
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  • Ram...
  • November 29, 2009

For Constipation "Very good. I solved my problem. I take it once every 3 days without any issues."

8 / 10
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76 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 13, 2009

For Acne "Applied topically, like a mask, Milk of Magnesia treated my acne after years of heavy stuff not working."

7 / 10
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51 Report
  • Lja...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 16, 2018

For Constipation "Milk of Magnesia is awesome!"

10 / 10
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14 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.