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Milk of Magnesia and Diarrhea: What Users Say

Diarrhea: mentioned by 11 users (21.2%)

Based on user experiences from 52 Milk of Magnesia 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.

diarrhea 21.2%
cramps 11.5%
constipation 9.6%
bloating 7.7%
dehydration 7.7%
nausea 7.7%

Reviews for Milk of Magnesia

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Bes...
  • March 28, 2020

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."

8 / 10
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  • Bes...
  • March 28, 2020

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."

8 / 10
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36 Report
  • OG ...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 26, 2020

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."

9 / 10
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29 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Nat...
  • October 29, 2015

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!"

10 / 10
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47 Report
  • Bon...
  • May 12, 2015

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."

9 / 10
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42 Report

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

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."

10 / 10
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28 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
  • 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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9 Report
  • 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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11 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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11 Report
  • 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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3 Report

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