MiraLAX and Constipation: What Users Say

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Constipation "Although MiraLax works, it makes you have ice cream-like soft serve bowel movements. The bad part for me is I will feel like I have gas and will just let it go, which you shouldn't. Don't trust a fart - you will poop on yourself. For real. I just did. You also need baby wipes after bowel movements, otherwise, you will go through a whole roll of toilet paper trying to clean up your backside. I'm glad I've been able to have movement, but I'm not okay with the side effects of it. I may just start taking something else to produce bowel movements. Maybe I'll try Benefiber and see what that does. But it took about 2 days for me for it to work. I have to take Excedrin PM for me to sleep, and I think that's what causes my constant hard ball constipation. So this helps, but I can't be at work and poop on myself and/or not have wipes to get fully clean. It seems to just cling to the backside."

• DJa...
• January 13, 2020

For Constipation "I have been taking MiraLax for about 6 months now. I was put on Suboxone for opioid dependency. One of the side effects from Suboxone is constipation. I used to spend hours in the bathroom every night trying to have a bowel movement. I tried every fiber supplement. I tried every laxative and they just tore me up. The stomach cramps were awful and still very little bowel movement after straining for hours. Finally, I told my doctor I can't keep doing this. It's horrible and miserable. He said, 'Get MiraLax.' I was skeptical but agreed to try it. I have not been constipated since that day. I take one dose daily at the same time every day and have a full bowel movement every day at the same time. The only side effect I have noticed from MiraLax is the stool has a horrible smell. I hope there are no long-term side effects from MiraLax because this product has been a lifesaver for me. My doctor tells me it's totally safe because it stays in your GI tract the whole time. Simply in and out, repeat!"

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2012

For Constipation "MiraLAX is great. The first day was the only time I experienced any side effects, and that was only a headache. After that, I've been taking it every day at night in a glass of water. It doesn't taste like anything and dissolves quickly. Works great, too. I've always had constipation, but recently I was having constant pain and bleeding with every bowel movement due to a fissure, it was horrible. But now that my doctor recommended MiraLAX to me, I finally feel normal in that department!"

• lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2016

For Constipation "If you're constipated, it can take a couple of days, maybe even a week, it all depends. Keep taking it till you get a bowel movement and keep taking it if you're someone who deals with constant constipation for whatever reason. I was on opiates for 10 years, unfortunately, but some people need them. If you need them for lifelong pain, then you better never plan on getting off them, 'cause you'll experience the worst thing in your life physically and mentally. Even when you're clean, you forever deal with severe depression, anxiety, along with body pain. I ended up having to get on methadone 'cause I couldn't handle being off opiates, so that also gets me constipated, but I use this 1 cap a day and haven't been blocked up since! Stool softeners don't work, only MiraLAX."

• RJ8...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 6, 2013

For Constipation "I've been taking MiraLAX, as my mom tells me, ever since I switched to formula. I'm not a good eater, so I'm always constipated. However, MiraLAX works pretty much all the time. It would get a 10, except that it failed today. I took my usual dosage, and I was still constipated. I guess it's because I've been taking it my entire life."

• Gur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2018

For Constipation "I've been addicted to opiates for a long time. I recently started methadone, and it has caused constipation I've never experienced. The constipation has caused hemorrhoids and has made it very painful to go poop every time. Not to mention, I am gay, and the hemorrhoids have ruined my husband and my sex lives... But after my doctor recommended MiraLAX, I am so amazed and surprised at how regular I am... After only 7 doses, I am back to normal, and my hemorrhoids are almost gone. No more bleeding when I poop and no more pain. I'm so thankful. It's kind of expensive but so worth it. I'm very thankful."

• STE...
• September 14, 2016

For Constipation "After lower back surgery, I was prescribed Oxycodone for pain and Diazepam (Valium) for muscle spasms. The only problem is constipation, something that I had never experienced before. The instructions say that it may take up to 72 hours, and this is how long it took to work for me. I was skeptical if it was going to work at all, but it did. No pain or any problems. I went easy, the only thing is the smell is hard to describe. Haha! I took it twice a day on the advice of the nurse after the single dose didn't bring me any results the first day. Always ask your doctor for stuff like that even though it is an OTC remedy. Hope you feel better."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2018

For Constipation "My doctor recommended it to me about 9 months ago when I found out I was pregnant, which I'm glad he did. At first, I was reluctant to try it, but I ended up with severe constipation when I was about 4 months along, and they had to dig poop out of me at the hospital - not pleasurable. Anyway, I started taking it twice a day as directed by my doctor. It took about 3 days to actually fully work, once it did, I was so happy. I will definitely use it again if needed."

• Mir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2023

For Constipation, Acute "So for me, I am on a few medications that cause constipation. I also am on a stool softener and a pill called Movantic to help me use the bathroom. I recently had a colonoscopy, and everything looked fine, just struggling with severe constipation. There are times when I haven't gone for 2 weeks. I messaged my doctor and asked what to do, and he told me to add MiraLAX daily. I know this sounds weird, but I just had the best bowel movement I think I have ever had. It was like they described self-serve ice cream, and it was a lot! I always drink lots of water, and I'm on two other medications for this reason. So adding MiraLAX has made a huge difference! I am very happy with this light laxative. It's safe to use every day. Also, you can play around with the dose depending on what your level of constipation looks like. Mine being severe, I've been taking it every day for a week, and I finally had a bowel movement. After having a really, really bad day last week of not being able to go, I was in such pain!"

• JCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

For Constipation "When it works, it is great. Unfortunately, lately it has not been working and has left me bloated and constipated. Actually, I have found that Milk of Magnesia works better for my constipation, with a bowel movement occurring in less than 6 hours."

• Sma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2019

For Constipation "I have no gallbladder, and I take Loperamide to stop the diarrhea. This time, instead of a bowel movement after 2 days, I was constipated for a week. I talked to a pharmacist, and they recommended MiraLAX to treat the constipation. It did produce a small bowel movement. It is very slow to produce a bowel movement, but at least I am going, I can't complain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2017

For Constipation "I started a new medication that made me extremely constipated, I could only go to the bathroom if I drank coffee. I decided to try this after not having a BM for 2 days, and it did nothing. I tried it again the next morning, and still nothing. On the 3rd day, I bought the Dulcolax pink pills and took 2 (supposed to work in 6-12 hours)... 12 hours later and still nothing. At this point, my stomach is so bloated and hurts pretty bad. I go by the store and get a glycerin suppository, and that did the trick after about 30 seconds. I think I was just so backed up that nothing was working. After the first BM (it wasn't much), all of those laxatives started kicking in and giving me horrible cramps for 30 or so minutes. Finally, emptied everything out."

• DCi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 2, 2023

For Constipation "I had ongoing constipation as a side effect of my antidepressant (Vortioxetine), and none of the usual treatments were working effectively-e.g., upping fiber intake, pear juice, Citrucel, etc. I started taking MiraLAX, and it worked amazingly well. I'm down to only a fraction of the standard size dose once a day, right before bedtime, but it's enough to keep things moving! I mix it with water and a little Gatorade to make it taste a little less bland. The only caution I have is to not take it if you've had a high-fiber meal (lentils or beans for me) because your stools will be way too loose."

• Vel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2021

For Constipation "MiraLAX doesn't do anything for me. I've tried it several times post-surgery or ER visit where opiates were prescribed. Even if I start taking MiraLAX the same day, I end up severely constipated, bloated, and extremely uncomfortable."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2021

For Constipation "Do NOT use this product if you’re constipated. It only made me poop every 4 days… maybe it was because the medicine I was on caused constipation (I was getting off on it often)! Never gave me explosive diarrhea like I needed. Literally only pooped the smallest amount and I was taking the highest dose I could once a day for like a week and a half."

• jaz...
• July 13, 2014

For Constipation "I was prescribed MiraLAX in the ER. I have been in horrible pain since Tuesday. I've taken MiraLAX since Wednesday and haven't had a bowel motion since. This product severely constipated me. The opposite of what it's supposed to do. I am still in pain, and I was normally regular. Not anymore."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2020

For Constipation "I’m pregnant and Zofran causes constipation. I’ve taken MiraLAX for the past 3 days and absolutely no changes have occurred in the slightest bit."

• stl...
• April 12, 2008

"I'm prescribed methadone, and it makes me very constipated. Miralax is the only medicine that works for me. I have tried everything. MiraLax is the best!!"