All I can find is the caution about taking Miralax when one has kidney disease. But, I can find no specific reason for the recommendation against taking it. Help.
Why is Miralax not recommended for someone who has kidney disease?
Question posted by ron2010 on 18 June 2010
Last updated on 29 October 2018 by RockRoswell
4 Answers
RockRoswell
26 Feb 2019
Miralax should NOT be used by persons with kidney disease or transplant, as it may cause kidney damage and failure.
"MiraLax is composed of polyethylene glycol-3350. This compound is composed of individual units of ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is a well-known cause of oxalate nephropathy. Polyethylene glycol once inside the body is capable of causing acute kidney injury from oxalate nephropathy. Oct 31, 2018"
Quoted from:
MiraLAX Problems — Lawsuit Information Center Blog
Research into this mechanism is ongoing, and there have been lawsuits, including at least one class action lawsuit, initiated against the makers of these laxatives.
Polyethylene glycol laxatives should therefore NOT be used by renal patients and this fact is not known by many medical professionals. (My diverticulitis physician gave me MiraLax, and I research every medication for possible effects on my transplant.)
If your doctor has recommended MiraLax or another polyethylene glycol preparation, they should be informed of this development and you may have to be the first one to do it. Don't be shy!
Searches of polyethylene glycol +oxalate nephropathy will produce many other mentions of this effect.
rareearth
29 Oct 2018
MiraLAX is safe to use for up to Stage Three Chronic Kidney Disease (those with moderate damage to kidneys). The National Kidney Foundation has more extensive paperwork on this subject.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) is considered biologically inert and safe for human use. One of the most interesting new uses for PEG is at the site where reconnection of severed nerves is being attempted. PEG seems to create a matrix that facilitates reconnection of nerves.
PEG is not commercial antifreeze and that comment should be removed from this site and the commenter should be notified that they lied in a response. Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol are the chemicals used in antifreeze by the automotive industry and these are not sold for human consumption or medical uses. They are of varying toxicity - with Ethylene Glycol being the more toxic of the two, and dangerously so.
SDA34
7 May 2015
Miralax does not absorb from the GI tract. The warning is due to risk of electrolyte and or fluid imbalance caused by it. The kidneys regulate electrolyte/fluid for the body--miralax being an osmotic laxative can disrupt both, which can be particularly dangerous for an individual with impaired kidneys.
Cnjuguna
24 April 2018
It based on the some chemical as antifreeze... damages heart and kidneys..
Use with care and don't over dose on it... soluble fiber is best
Cnjuguna
24 April 2018
For irregularities and runny dowels.
suzanne66
25 June 2010
MiraLax is safe to take if you have kidney disease.
See: https://www.drugs.com/ppa/polyethylene-glycol-3350.html
Update
on a 4.1 oz. bottle of MiraLAX, as of April 2013, it states under WARNINGS: "Do not use if you have kidney disease, except under the advice and supervision of a doctor." See: https://labeling.bayercare.com/omr/online/MiraLAX-Bottles.pdf for the same warning by the manufacturer.
Related topics
Further information
- MiraLax uses and safety info
- MiraLax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of MiraLax (detailed)
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