Magnesium hydroxide and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I am AMAZED!! Yes, by the product, but more so by the amount of people that are blaming MOM for heartburn. People who have terrible heartburn and side cramps in the few hours after taking this product, are only experiencing their body's next progression of what happens when you are constipated -- that is not MOM's fault! This product does reverse the blockage over a course of taking the correct dosage -- but if you have severe constipation, it might take over 2 days to move it. So, do not expect to reverse your problem in 6 hours what took your body DAYS to build up. Be wise and drink the water -- that's what helps it work. Oh, and the diarrhea everyone is COMPLAINING about, HOW did they expect it to come out? In a box with a bow? Works great -- be patient. It even says it is overnight relief, so that's at least 6 to 10 hours. Feel better and listen to MoM!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 9, 2014

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Drinking a few extra 16 oz bottles of water during the period after taking the Milk of Magnesia will help to stop the painful hard stools constipation usually brings. It will help ease the release. There can be a different amount of time you can expect the recommended dosage to work. For me, it's best taken on an empty stomach. No food for 4 hours or more helps speed the desired effect. If it's been several days since you normally have movements, it will also take longer for the effects to begin. Drink water, as much as you possibly can. If diarrhea occurs, cut back on water. Take the prescribed dose, not more. Drinking lots of water along with sufficient fiber in my diet has become much easier than fighting constant constipation."

• Kiw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2020

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I have been constipated for most of my life, I am now 69 years old. Scopes in the past few years have shown a tortuous sigmoid colon and diverticulosis. I was prescribed laxatives that cost $200.00 for two weeks. Not possible on retirement income. My doctor almost in passing said to try MOM, it works for some people. I purchased a bottle and haven't looked back. I mostly have regular soft bowel movements. If I eat something that would normally loosen the bowel, I can experience limited diarrhea. The only side effect appears to be that my poop is now green. I can live with that. Hope this helps someone."

• Foo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2015

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Warning. Once you have your first bowel movement, it's all downhill from there. You have to keep going back to the bathroom every 5 minutes because it just keeps coming, like diarrhea. I literally sat on the toilet for 2 hours."

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2017

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I was backed up due to pain meds. Very uncomfortable. Took a full/big dose of MoM and drank a bunch of water. About 2-3 hours later, I had the most explosive diarrhea. It was AMAZING. I went from thinking I might have to go to the ER to practically crying tears of joy and relief on the toilet while peeing out of my butt!!! Highly recommend this product to anyone who feels irregular. No cramps, no bad side effects. Just make sure you are near a toilet after you take it!!! Amen!"

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I had been constipated for a week, so I decided to take some cherry MOM. I took the recommended adult dosage at 12 PM, and by 1 PM, I felt an awful pain in my stomach and rear end. I jumped up and ran to the bathroom. I was so relieved and thought it was over, but NO. I've had diarrhea since. It's coming out explosively like water. Now my bum is sore. Yes, this works, but be prepared to be near a toilet!!!!"

• Bes...
• March 28, 2020

Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I am 19 years old and have battled extreme constipation since birth. Usually, I can have a BM from drinking coffee in the morning at home, but it is a hit-or-miss system. Sometimes it doesn't work and my discomfort grows. I have tried suppositories, enemas, stool softeners, prunes, Miralax, and the like. These things have worked but often are quite painful and only a temporary fix. I took 30 mL (2 tablespoons) of MoM at 8:40 AM this morning. I did not take it before bedtime as instructed because I was not interested in being up all night, as some reviews forewarned. Along with a cup of coffee at noon, I was able to have a BM at 12:40 PM, so almost exactly 4 hours after I took the MoM. It definitely softened my stool and made it easier to pass. It did not give me diarrhea nor watery stool. Happy things are moving again. Also, remember to drink water, as this product pulls water from near tissue."

• Bes...
• March 28, 2020

Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I am 19 years old and have battled extreme constipation since birth. Usually, I can have a BM from drinking coffee in the morning at home, but it is a hit-or-miss system. Sometimes it doesn't work and my discomfort grows. I have tried suppositories, enemas, stool softeners, prunes, Miralax, and the like. These things have worked but often are quite painful and only a temporary fix. I took 30 mL (2 tablespoons) of MoM at 8:40 AM this morning. I did not take it before bedtime as instructed because I was not interested in being up all night, as some reviews forewarned. Along with a cup of coffee at noon, I was able to have a BM at 12:40 PM, so almost exactly 4 hours after I took the MoM. It definitely softened my stool and made it easier to pass. It did not give me diarrhea nor watery stool. Happy things are moving again. Also, remember to drink water, as this product pulls water from near tissue."

• Tex...
• March 7, 2016

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Was constipated for 2 days on vacation. Took 1.5 tbs Milk of M at 6 PM and another 1 tbs at 7:00 AM. I was able to go in the morning at 8 AM several times. It was easy and not watery, just a normal soft deposit. No cramps and no nausea. I think the people on here who got diarrhea and nausea after taking it took too much. Don't take more than it says. Taking half a bottle is going to make you have bad diarrhea. This was recommended to me by a doctor in the family who specializes in digestive system health."

• OG ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2020

Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Milk of Magnesia is the only effective laxative I ever took that didn’t irritate my stomach lining or cause prolonged diarrhea (and I’ve taken them all now for opiate constipation). Eg. last time, I took 60 ml MOM after 5 days with no BM and nothing happened, so I took magnesium citrate, which gave me horrible cramps and diarrhea lasting 3 days, and my stomach felt like it had been strip-mined for a week. Couldn’t drink juice or soda after mag citrate without feeling like my stomach was a pit of fire for hours. THIS time I took MOM on the 2nd day with no BM and a feeling of gassy fullness. In 2 hrs, had a well-formed stool and went to bed. In the AM, passed a lot more, but normal, not like it had been marinating in a vat of acid. Tiny amount of watery stool at the end but that was it. No pain, cramps, diarrhea, irritation, or dehydration the next day. Went to work. Good thing I took it before it got too bad this time. I will always keep some on hand."

• Nat...
• October 29, 2015

Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I just recently found out I'm pregnant (4 weeks) and had to stop taking my stimulant laxatives, which I had taken daily for the past 3 years! Without them I couldn't go! It's been a few days since I stopped taking them, and of course no BM for me. Called my doc and she recommended MOM. I took 2 tbs at 6:20 PM, and nothing happened. The next morning at 07:30 I took 4 tbs of MOM, and one hour later I finally had relief. Since then I went one more time. Pain-free! No diarrhea. I love it, especially knowing it's safe for my baby!"

• Amk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2015

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Best laxative out there! I have chronic constipation due to psych meds. I've tried every laxative out there and have a very healthy, plant-based diet, etc., but nothing has helped. Milk of Magnesia is the only effective remedy I've found. Best to take it on an empty stomach-it doesn't seem to work if you're full of food-and drink lots of water. Within 2 hours of taking 4 tbsp, I had 2 bowel movements. No cramps or bloating or pain or diarrhea. This stuff works great."

• Bon...
• May 12, 2015

Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "For a couple of days, I wasn't eating very well, and I noticed I wasn't using the restroom regularly. I went and got fruit and stuff with high fiber, and I was still stopped up except for occasional little stools. After not being able to go fully for a couple of days, I started getting very bad abdominal cramps, and I started vomiting. I went to CVS and bought Milk of Magnesia, took three tablespoons of it, and 30 minutes later, I got diarrhea. I feel better, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore, and I'm not vomiting. I would recommend this to anyone with constipation problems, but be prepared for multiple toilet trips."

• Gir...
• August 12, 2016

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I never get constipated. I usually poop at least twice per day, so when I woke up yesterday and felt like I had to poop, but could not get it out, no matter how hard I pushed, I soon enough found myself in an immense amount of pain and discomfort. I ate oatmeal, a whole bag of frozen spinach doused in butter, and drank herbal tea, to no avail. After finding the helpful reviews on this board, I asked my fiancée to pick up some MoM for me, on his way home today. I took 4 tbsp at about 8:00 PM and at around 10:30 PM, I was finally able to poop! I've had a few explosive diarrhea since, but at this point, I do NOT care, it just felt so good to go! MoM tastes pretty vile, but it works!"

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Dr. took me off of a medication that caused constipation, and I still couldn’t go for a month. I was getting so weak, and I didn’t know what to do. I prayed about it, and Milk of Magnesia was what I got. Yes, it worked! I feel so much better. I think medication gets stopped up in the intestine and stays with you until you get it out. I’m so happy about that. I took 4 tablespoons, and it worked within four hours, but I have diarrhea and I'm not sure if I’m supposed to have stools yet. I will wait and see. This was my first time using it in a very long time. Hopefully I’m no longer stopped up and will go regularly now, but if I need to use it again, I will."

• I P...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2016

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I suffered from severe constipation. A week or more at times with not going; when I did, it was like rabbit pellets. MOM works very well, but it was explosive pooping (make sure you drink lots of water with it). I wanted to poop, not have diarrhea for hours. I now changed my diet, lowered a constipation-causing drug I am on for another condition, drink plenty of water, take olive oil, take pro and prebiotics, take cod liver oil, drink veggie smoothies, no more white bread or junk foods/sodas, exercise, meditate, and stretch my muscles. MOM is not a long-term solution... lifestyle change is. Good luck to you."

• Ire...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2016

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I had been constipated for nearly four days. My stomach was cramping. I took 4 tablespoons, and after 6 hours, nothing. I then took another 4 tablespoons. My stomach began churning and gurgling at about the 8th hour. My first BM was semi-solid. Then the floodgates opened. Almost watery stools. I've had to run to the toilet several times. Do not take this if you're going to be away from home. Also, be careful coughing, sneezing, or passing gas. You may have an accident. Much better than being backed up and cramping."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2017

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I have dealt with constipation for years. I have no other health issues and am at a normal weight. Even when eating very healthy, lots of veggies, fruit, and fiber, no processed food, and drinking lots of water, there are problems. I hate laxatives and stool softeners. I heard being low in magnesium can cause chronic constipation, so I thought I’d try milk of magnesia. It has changed my life. It does not give me diarrhea, it allows me to eliminate normally like I did when I was younger. I take 30 ml every night and have two normal bowel movements the next morning between waking up and about noon. I can go to the bathroom completely too, without feeling like there’s always more there that won’t come out. I highly recommend it for a gentle solution."

• Bar...
• October 3, 2015

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Thank you for this website!!!! I would not be a happy camper today if not for these reviews. I thought I had a flu bug last weekend, and in 2 days, I was only going a little bit, with barely any gas release during the day, and became super bloated. Normally, you can set an alarm by my bowel habits - at least 3 times a day. I tried using vegetables and prunes, etc., but by day 5, I figured I should try a laxative before going to the doctor. The pharmacist recommended another product, but it had terrible reviews - too harsh. I bought the mint MoM and took 2 tbsp around 9:30. By midnight, I had a small relief, and around 2 AM, I was up with diarrhea for the rest of the night. Not complaining - got total relief with NO cramping! Sore muscles today, though."

• Mis...
• June 10, 2016

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I suffer from chronic constipation ever since I was a toddler (now 25 yrs). My boyfriend is a nurse and suggested this to me about 7 months ago. It definitely works, although each time has been a slightly different experience. It doesn't work well on a full stomach, I have noticed. Don't drink too much water either, or your butt may explode. I took it today after being constipated for 3 days at about 1 pm and had my first poop at about 3:30 pm. It is now 5:50 pm, and I've been to the bathroom every 10 minutes pooping out straight water. I have had perfect poops with this stuff and also experiences like this with mass amounts of diarrhea. I also have suffered nausea today and a couple of other times. My lower abdomen is also sensitive to the touch."

• Lib...
• March 10, 2017

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I was taking pain medication for a knee injury, and I suffered from severe constipation. When I say severe, I mean I could barely walk. It was so painful that I had to get my husband to help me off the toilet so I could curl up in bed in the fetal position. I couldn't eat anything either. My grandma recommended Milk of Magnesia. I sent my husband out to get me some, and I took the max dose that was allowed in a day. I was in pain for almost six hours before it started to kick in. It did soften my stool, but it was still painful coming out as I was EXTREMELY constipated. Then after the major bowel movement, I did have some diarrhea. MOM got the job done! I can't complain because the pain I was experiencing was almost unbearable."

• Pdr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I was constipated horribly for about 2 days. Took two times the recommended dose. Figured why not, I got nothing but time. I also drank a 24 oz cup of hot water. About a half hour later, I pooped the most amazing poop. Diarrhea, yes. Cramping, no. Did go a lot longer than it needed to, but I did double the dose."

• Sil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 30, 2020

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "I have CIC (Chronic Idiopathic Constipation) from opiates I take for chronic pain (left shoulder replacement, 2 rods in my lower back, and right hip replacement). MOM works great, but the sometimes cramping and diarrhea makes me uncomfortable. Was on both Linzess & Relistor (injection) for a while, but the MOM is a good alternative. I only gave it an 8 due to the cramping & diarrhea."

• Oka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2020

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Absolute worst medication ever. I took the recommended dose and have never felt such pain in my abdomen, along with the absolutely worst nausea and diarrhea for the whole day and counting. I can’t express how bad of an experience this was."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2017

Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) for Constipation "Took at 9 a.m., hoping to move bowels the same day, after days of horrible constipation and bloating. MoM claims it works within 6 hours, but nothing happened. I took another dose at bedtime, still without any movement. The following morning, I have awful diarrhea. It's so bad it gave me an anal fissure, and I've been taking Imodium and putting on lidocaine to ease the pain. Ridiculous to go from one extreme to the other. Yes, I should not have taken a second dose, but thought it would be fine since it did not work at all after 14 hours, and supposedly, you can take this daily. I thought this would just quicken transit time, but no, it stayed in my gut, mushed everything to liquid, and gave me the worst diarrhea ever. Never taking again!"