Magnesium hydroxide and Constipation: What Users Say

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

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."

• sle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2020

For Constipation "I am a recovering addict taking methadone daily. This opiate (like 99% of opioids) constipates me bad. Pooping once or twice a week. Never easy, usually tiny, rock-hard pellets. Tried a lot of things, with nothing else worked, so I tried MoM. Downing two large 'gulps,' figuring it'd never work at doses lower than a bit over max - oops, I was wrong! An hour later, I'm hunched over, catching my breath after the most explosive, frankly nasty yet super fulfilling movement... point? This stuff doesn't mess around!"

• Rab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2021

For Constipation "I just had a partial hysterectomy and a rectocele prolapse surgery, and my bladder had to be placed in a sling. I am so very grateful for MOM because I can go to the bathroom without pushing. My doctor has me on 15 ml every 8 hrs, and that's enough to clean me out. I was always prone to constipation. Once I got diagnosed with IBS constipation, I was put on Linzess 290 mg, and it works, but I do have to push a little to get things moving. I'm just really happy I have something that I can safely take every day without pushing or straining."

• You...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2014

For Constipation "I took the recommended dose at 9:30 am after horrible constipation, cramps, and bloating. Nothing but stomach gurgling occurred that entire day. I had to take another dose that evening around 7 pm. Still...nothing by bedtime. I didn't get relief until around 9 am the next morning, and from that point on, I was afraid to move or leave the toilet. And it took about a full 10 hours of off-and-on emergency bathroom trips (those uh-oh! Get up and run! kinds) to get it all out."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2017

For Constipation "I've been taking opioids for knee surgery, and they are the worst for causing constipation. Despite taking stool softeners, senna laxatives, drinking prune juice daily, and a high-fiber diet, I could not get anything more than a tiny pebble to come out, and that was after straining so hard I got dizzy. My 'roids were freaking out. Enemas sort of worked, but they were very painful, and I never felt completely empty afterward. Since I'll be on meds for a few weeks, I can't rely on them as a solution. After about 5 days of rocks for guts, I finally found some irritable bowel forums with people swearing by milk of magnesia. So my husband ran to the pharmacy for me. About 18 hours later, the sky opened up and the angels sang. Such relief!"

• LoC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2015

For Constipation "Y'all... was having some discomfort from constipation and bloating. My stomach just generally felt horrible. Wanted quick relief, so I took 4 tbs of MoM. Yes, you read that right, FOUR TABLESPOONS! I have been off and on the toilet for the last hour and realize now I took too much! Will definitely use again in a much lower dosage."

• Im ...
• April 23, 2017

For Constipation "I was constipated for about 5 days due to taking diet pills. I took MOM at about 10:30 pm at night. I woke up at about 5 am, rubbing my belly and thinking I can't believe this stuff hasn't kicked in. When I tell you that thought hadn't even left my mind yet, it kicked in and with a bang!!!! I barely made it to the bathroom. I felt so much better, even though I almost pooped on myself!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2020

For Constipation "I take medication that makes me forget about eating during the day, but I don’t take it on the weekend, so I consume a lot to make up for the nutrients I am missing. I ate all weekend and had a normal stomach ache, but I was constipated this time. Took 30 ml MOM first, 7 hours later I had relieved a small amount, so when my mother came home, she set out 45 ml and I took it. This morning, I have had to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes for 3 hours. BE CAREFUL WITH THE DOSING! Start small doses and give it time to work."

• Pir...
• June 12, 2015

For Constipation "I have been told I had IBS in the ER. The doctor said MOM is very gentle if I got constipated, and I do from time to time. So after feeling bloated and bound up, I took the 2 Tbsp dose and waited... well, in an hour, I was almost running to the throne and every 15 minutes after for an hour. It does as advertised."

• sun...
• May 12, 2016

For Constipation "Clonidine for high blood pressure works great, but causes severe constipation. My doctor did not help. I tried this last night, and it was a lifesaver. I had been in so much pain that I was considering an ER visit."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

For Constipation "I recently got started on a new medicine (Cymbalta). One of the side effects was constipation. I haven’t been backed up since I was probably 6 years old. Well, the past 2 days, I noticed I wasn’t having any bowel movements. I’d been eating like normal and drinking. I’m 130 lbs... I’m small and have a very fast metabolism. I was struggling to pass anything, so I got the cherry-flavored MoM [milk of magnesium] and took it at 8:15 pm tonight. I was afraid to go to sleep in fear I would wake up in the middle of the night and not make it to the toilet. I just went in and FINALLY went, and there was such RELIEF. I feel so much better. I recommend this brand. Only use if needed. I’ll keep it on hand in case it happens again."

• Jan...
• June 15, 2016

For Constipation "Taking painkillers for shingles, I was constantly bloated and in pain with constipation. In fact, my stools were impacted. I tried several laxatives to no avail. Then I remembered as a child, Mom giving us Milk of Magnesia. So I got a bottle from the chemist. I did as the instructions said: 15 mL. It worked a treat."

• Thi...
• August 12, 2015

For Constipation "I had my wisdom teeth out, and a few days later, my pain medicine made me constipated. I felt that I had to go, and I tried, but it hurt sooooooo bad!! So I had my mom go out and get me this, and I took some before I went to bed, and in the morning, it kinda worked. (I didn't drink enough.) Then I took some more in the morning, and it worked like a charm."

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

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!"

• 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."

• Gas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2017

For Constipation "Diagnosed over a year ago with gluten intolerance. When I eat anything with gluten, I become bloated, and usually end up with awful diarrhea. The other night, I ate what was supposed to be a gluten-free sandwich; the cook screwed up. I expected the usual rush to the bathroom, except it didn't come. This time, I was so constipated my pants wouldn't fit. MOM has helped a bit. It took about 20 minutes before I ran to the bathroom. However, it has made me more gassy than anything; I'm scared to pass gas in case something else happens. My stomach and intestines sound like a warzone. It seems to help a bit, but has anyone else had the gas issue? Every time I go to the bathroom, very little comes out, but it always follows a burst of gas."

• Loa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2020

For Constipation "I suffer from constipation due to taking opiates (Subutex to be exact), and lately I’ve been having a HARD time poopin’. I took this while pregnant and after I gave birth. Worked as intended. I took the whole cap full a couple days ago, and I’m still feeling the effects two days later, but it's tapering off. I tried a stimulant laxative, magnesium, etc. This was pretty much same-day effective for me, within hours to be exact. I would definitely recommend being home for the whole day or close to a toilet...."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2017

For Constipation "After surgery two weeks ago and consuming nothing but water and fiber-type foods. I, for some reason, got constipated. I took MoM at 8 pm. And at 2 am, like clockwork, I was getting crazy cramps and could hear the bowel in motion. And bam, I had to go. But then at 3 am and 4 am again. Then at 7 am. Either I'm that backed up or it's working too well."

• Bec...
• April 24, 2018

For Constipation "Ok, so my body decided to pass one kidney stone from each kidney. One surgery and hospital stay with narcotic pain meds, and I was severely constipated. I tried fiber, prune juice, and stimulant laxative. Nothing. I was so bloated that I looked pregnant and was miserable. I happened upon a commercial for M.O.M., and sent my hubby to the store. I took the maximum dosage, and within 2 hours, had sweet relief."

• Ess...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2018

For Constipation "I had an abdominal hysterectomy and was on Norco for several days, as well as other pain meds intravenously, which had me severely bloated, in pain from gas, and constipated. I was given stool softeners that didn’t work. My friend suggested MoM. I took the full dose, and it worked! Now, 3 weeks post-op, I’ve taken it once or twice when things don’t flow after a couple of days, and it gets everything moving again without cramps. I highly recommend."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

For Constipation "I was not going for about three days, I think because I had lots of carbs and not enough fiber or fluid, and was getting panicky. I remembered that the nurse in the hospital had given me some MoM, and it worked. Sent my hubby out to get some--took 30 ml the first day--got some response but very hard stools. Took 45 ml the second day with a good amount of water and a cup of tea at dinner--12 hours later the breakthrough, thank goodness!! I've been eliminating since, mostly watery stuff preceded by gas, but it beats the hard rocks, and it seems to be tailing off. Thank you, MoM!!"