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MiraLAX and Vomiting: What Users Say

Vomiting: mentioned by 13 users (5.0%)

Based on user experiences from 262 MiraLAX reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

bloating 11.1%
nausea 10.7%
cramps 9.5%
gas 9.5%
constipation 6.9%
diarrhea 6.5%
pain 6.1%
vomiting 5.0%
upset stomach 4.2%
stomach pain 1.9%

Reviews for MiraLAX

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Lil...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 17, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I'm about to have my 15th colonoscopy. I'm only 53 but due to cancer, I have one a year. I've tried every prep under the sun. The last colonoscopy was January of 2020. I used Dulcolax, Magnesium Citrate, and MiraLAX. Now I've learned from experience, I stop eating meats a week before the procedure. I only eat soft foods, and 2 days before, I switch to just liquids. I did great with the cleansing. The only problem I had was with the Magnesium Citrate, once I drank that bottle, I vomited for almost an hour. Not nice-it was coming out of both ends. I only drank half of the MiraLAX and was clean. I mixed mine with apple juice, I can't stand Gatorade. Wishing everyone luck with the cleansing!"

10 / 10
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110 Report
  • J13...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 16, 2016

For Constipation "This drug was effective for me. I went through a bout of severe anxiety and panic for about 3 weeks. I lost 25 pounds and did not eat much of anything for 2 weeks. As a result, my digestive system basically shut down. When I began to eat again, I did not have a bowel movement for 15 days. I took a Dulcolax pill and had extreme cramping, dry heaving, full-body sweats, and painful bowel movements where I needed to be close to a toilet all day. I went another 8 days without using the bathroom, and I tried MiraLAX. I only took 1/4 of the dosage, and within a day I had 3 bowel movements. I did have some minor cramping, and I did sense an urgency to go and could not have held it, but it produced soft movements, not explosive painful ones."

9 / 10
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60 Report
  • Kat...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 14, 2015

For Constipation, Acute "I am 65 years old and suffer from diverticulitis. I ended up being hospitalized and did get better, but not totally. One day, I was in horrible pain and vomited. I had an impaction. The doctor gave me high doses of antibiotics and prescribed MiraLAX. That was a few months ago. I only take as needed, as the pain on the left side signals trouble. As long as I don't get constipated, thanks to MiraLAX, I am okay. This stuff works for me. I buy Costco brand since it is cheaper."

10 / 10
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57 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Not...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 19, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I used this MiraLAX prep last week along with Dulcolax, and I will NEVER use it again. After the third dose, I still had not had a bowel movement. Then, all at once, I broke out into a profuse cold sweat and felt as though I would pass out. I headed for the bedroom to lay down, and after about 3 minutes, a wave of nausea hit and I barely made it back to the bathroom before projectile vomit occurred. This was my 3rd colonoscopy/endoscopy, and NEVER AGAIN WILL I USE THIS PREP. After I vomited the poison from my system, I felt better and continued with the process. I was able to have the procedure, but I told my doctor what happened, and he said from now on he would use MoviPrep or Suprep."

2 / 10
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48 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 25, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I tried the MiraLAX colonoscopy prep about 3 weeks ago because I didn't want to have to drink the traditional prep, and it sounded less awful. BIG mistake. I did exactly as I was supposed to, liquid diet, etc., and this made me so sick, I was up with diarrhea and vomiting all night. Not only that, my 8:30 AM colonoscopy had to be canceled because I was nowhere near clear, even though I had taken all of it per instructions. It has taken me 3 weeks for my bowels to become normal again, and I'm getting ready to do a 'make-up' colonoscopy using the traditional yucky drink. At least the yuck will work. MiraLAX as an occasional laxative is fine, but never for colonoscopy prep, at least not for me."

3 / 10
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30 Report

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  • Thr...
  • June 12, 2016

For Constipation "I just need some stability in my life. If I can't get that from a laxative, where can I? I tried this several weeks ago for 5 days with no results, so I ended up taking Dulcolax pink tabs and almost got myself hospitalized from those little pink tablets of hellfire. My doctor advised I try MiraLAX every day to keep things moving, so I tried again. Three days/doses later, I began cramping after dose three and moved my bowels eight times in six hours with much vomiting. Very different experiences from one person."

7 / 10
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33 Report
  • JJa...
  • January 7, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Have had many colonoscopies due to colon cancer in the family. I had used MiraLAX before with no problem. This time, after 4 doses, I started vomiting and did not stop until the MiraLAX Gatorade mixture was mostly out of my system."

2 / 10
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23 Report

More FAQ

  • Jen...
  • April 17, 2021

For Constipation "I suffer from chronic constipation. I took the adult recommended dose mixed with sweet tea. After two hours, my stomach began gurgling. I barely made it to the bathroom. It has been like water after the first two loose movements. It has also made me extremely nauseated, and I've vomited twice. I feel so sick right now, it's unreal."

3 / 10
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14 Report
  • hED...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 4, 2021

For Constipation "I have always had trouble with being constipated, ever since I was a child. I have a sluggish colon with gastroparesis. I remember having to go to the emergency room several times throughout my childhood due to severe stomach cramps and my parents being told that I had stool backed up almost to my stomach each time. Now, with those issues in tow, I also have IBS-C & opioid-induced constipation. I have tried Movantik, Linzess, Amtiza, Milk of Magnesia, Ex-Lax, stool softeners, fiber (which is a nightmare and can obstruct your intestines if you have low or slow motility like I do), and all the other tricks in the book to alleviate constipation. I can take MiraLAX 4 to 5 days with absolutely no change in bowel movements but a lot of negative effects such as intense waves of nausea, intense gas, bloating, stomach pain, headaches, and feeling extremely ill. I experience electricity-type sensations throughout my entire body with vomiting. It literally feels like I've been poisoned."

2 / 10
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11 Report
  • jta...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 15, 2016

For Constipation "MiraLAX was a lifesaver for me. I was nearly hospitalized because constipation had caused aspiration pneumonitis and greatly worsened my GERD and asthma. I was losing weight, though I was already underweight, because I couldn't eat many meals, and I was also having chronic moderate/severe abdominal pain. The MiraLAX worked amazingly for me, although it took some time (a week, 2 capfuls 2x daily, though now I do 2 once a day). My brother experienced problems with it though. He started with 1 capful and was vomiting all night. However, he went to ½ capful and slowly titrated up to 2, and now PRN. Overall: highly effective, but variable side effect profile. Insurance only covered because I was taking such large doses, otherwise, they will not."

7 / 10
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25 Report
  • Car...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 6, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "This was my third colonoscopy, but first time with MiraLAX. I ended up in the emergency room and spent 15 hours vomiting and had severe upper abdominal pain."

1 / 10
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29 Report
  • Den...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 11, 2019

For Constipation "This caused really bad pain that then caused me to vomit, then the pain stopped."

1 / 10
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15 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 27, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I was prescribed PEG as a prep for a colonoscopy. The medicine made me throw up, and the procedure had to be rescheduled. Thoroughly disgusting stuff."

1 / 10
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22 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.