Drug Ratings for MIRALAXAverage Rating: 3.8 (379 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added from oldest to most recent Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR MIRALAX | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | constipation | I had some slight bloating after taking Miralax. Taking it at night helps. | Mix it with your favorite juice. There is no bad taste. It worked really well for me to relieve my constipation. | F | 40 | 6 weeks | 12/21/2003 | 5 | constipation | diarrhea | my doctor told me to | M | 41 | 3 weeks | 1/13/2004 | 4 | Chronic Constipation/Encopresis | Gassiness has been been increased. This is a wonderous improvement and daily joy for a ten year old who never was able to pass gas due to an impacted colon. Other side effects have been loose stool but this was desired by the GI doctor. | Still taking high doses to maintain a clean colon. The colon usually needs about 18 months to shrink back to normal size to retain original elasticity and control. | M | 10 | 13 months | 8/4/2004 | 3 | Doctor prescription | Bowel movement accidents - unable to control onset of bowel movement. I also have Multiple Sclerosis. | It treated constipation well, but produced opposite problem of uncontrollable bowel movements. | F | 55 | 13 days | 9/5/2004 | 4 | constipation b/c kink in colon | My son seems to have abdominal pain from time to time. Loose stools or horrible constipation re-occurs if the dosage is not perfect. | M | 4 | 2 days | 9/7/2004 | 4 | constipation b/c kinked colon | My son has abdominal pain from time to time due to gas and terribly hard stools if the dosage is not perfect or he eats too many | M | 4 | 2 years | 9/7/2004 | 5 | constipattion-25 years! | None | Truly a miracle for me..the 1st time in many, many years I am truly regular | M | 52 | 12 days | 9/29/2004 | 1 | Irritable Bowel Syndrome | I got a horrible inflamation of the stomach. It looked like I had gained about 70 pounds. I also had bad flatuence very frequently. I had awful muscle pain in my stomach, but not a stomach ache or gas pain, muscle pain. | It did help the constipation immensly. The side effects were dehibiltating though. It may have innteracted with other medication I take. I preffer OTC laxatives much more. (Yes, this is really a 13 year-old typing this.) | F | 13 | 6 days | 1/30/2005 | 5 | Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Gas, light cramps | The side effects are so minor compared to the painful problems of irritable bowel syndrome. I will probably use Miralax for the rest of my life. | F | 6 months | 2/10/2005 | 4 | chronic const. | pretty good...c'mon people...leave your emails! lets converse...it is a great way to help your health!! | I am worried about long-term usage....but then again I am worried about longterm constipation...thus begineth the quandary and paradox of life... | M | 3 weeks | 2/11/2005 | 5 | Constipation all my life | Mralax is a wonder drug for me, i have taken certain teas from health food store, they work but with severe cramps. Miralax is the best, mixes well, no taste.. | Would recomment lit to any one | F | 58 | 2 years | 2/15/2005 | 5 | IBS with constipation | A bit of bloating when I began taking it twice a day but my body has begun to get used to it. | There is no cramping with this drug and I have never had to deal with the type of diarreah that OTC drugs caused. | F | 37 | 15 months | 4/2/2005 | 5 | Constipation | Not at all, it is great medication, I am taking it for the past 3 years | Without taking Miralax, I used to have a very hard time and even bleeding. Bleeding stopped magically after Dr. T in Stanford suggested I take 2 X 17g per day. I am afraid for long term effect, but it is better than bleeding and staying in the washroom 2 hours! | M | 37 | 3 years | 4/3/2005 | 5 | life-long constipation | some bloating, but still far more desirable than the side effects of chronic constipation. i recently injured my tailbone due to the constant straining resulting from constipation. | i eat a high fiber diet and drink lots of water but have always had chronic constipation. miralax has been very reliable and effective since I got the dosage just right. the tailbone injury has now had a chance to heal. my gi doc advised me that I can take this forever without any long term effects, dependency or tolerance issues. far safer than most otc alternatives and I find it far more effective than anything else I've ever tried. this is how it was explained to me: the drug does not enter the blood stream and is not absorbed from the intestinal tract. it stays within the gut and pulls water into the intestine thereby increasing the volume and frequency of bowel movements. it is also FDA approved. | F | 35 | 2 months | 4/19/2005 | 5 | constipation | none | wonderful. Really did the job for my daughter. It really softens things up for less painful bowel movements. Works relatively quick too. | F | 2 | 3 months | 9/5/2005 | 4 | withholding/constipation | No real side effects. Our only complaint is that it is very difficult to find the "magical" dose. If we give too much it is impossible for him to control bowels. If we give too little he can't go. We need to play with the dose everyday. | Our son started on Miralax 2 1/2 years ago (he started at age 1). At that time he was having a very difficult time going to the bathroon. When he was able to go it was dry and he would tear his rectum. We went to two different GI specialist. One at Hasbro Childrens Hospital and one at Boston Childrens Hospital. They both assured us that it was a safe drug for children and for long term use. They suggested that we keep him on it until he is potty-trained. So far so good. He is well on his way there!!!! | M | 3 | 2 years | 9/30/2005 | 2 | chronic constipation | bloating, terrible belly aches. | Not sure what to do. 6 yr. old daughter can't eat because everytime she does she gets a stomach ache. We believe it is the miralax. She did better when she took it every other day. We are trying that again. | F | 6 | 7 months | 10/2/2005 | 5 | Gastro Specialist recommended | Gas, loose bowels if I take too much. It's best if you use the same amount every day to train your system. | My Mom died at the young age of 57 and never knew of this drug, she suffered from chronic constipation all her life and so have I. I'm a firm believer in it and recommend it highly! | F | 50 | 3 years | 11/30/2005 | 5 | IBS | Pretty much no side effects. Occasional bloating. | I have had chronic constipation due to IBS for about 1year. Nothing worked long-term for me and I was pretty freaked out about using stimulant laxatives. Miralax is awesome except I am a little worried about the long-term effects of taking it. My doctor has assured me it was okay. | F | 25 | 2 days | 1/24/2006 | 4 | constipation causing aspiration | I rated this a 2 originally, but found out it was other medicine causing the stomach aches. I now really like this medicine for my daughter. It really helps her. I would recommend this product. | F | 6 | 1 years | 2/5/2006 | 5 | | 2/9/2006 | 4 | My son has chronic constipation | My son has used Miralax since he was a baby, he is now 6 years old. I worry for so long that he would become dependent on it, in which he has. Although it works well, taking it consistently is sometimes a task. It takes patience to get my son to drink plenty of water daily, but he does well on this medication. | Initially, his Gastroenterologist advised that he would not become dependent on Miralax. Sometimes bloating occurs. Usually, he takes 1 capful, then I decrease it 1/2 cap, then 1-tsp, then 1/2 tsp daily. Just depends if you're consistent. | M | 6 | 6 years | 4/20/2006 | 5 | Chronic Constipation | Slight increase in flatulence | Excellent product, I wish another Dr. would have prescribed this 2 years ago. | F | 46 | 15 days | 4/29/2006 | 5 | Daughter chronically constipated | If dose is too high....loose stools occur. | Our daughter was chronically constipated, soiling hourly. We tried every laxative available over 2 years and nothing worked. We are absolutely THRILLED with Miralax. It has been our cure. | F | 3 | 2 months | 5/16/2006 | 5 | IBS | F | 38 | 2 years | 7/12/2006 | 5 | chronic constipation | she really has had no side effects so fare. | Miralax has been a wonderful medicine for my 2 1/2 year old. She had such a hard time having a bowl movment and now she never has a hard time as long as she has the med every morning. | F | 2 | 1 years | 7/24/2006 | 4 | constipation ibs | Nothing notable! | It relived me from hard stool which caused bleeding. Going to toilet was nightmare before using this! But I would like to know any possible long term side effects! I try to take minimum dosage! | M | 34 | 2 weeks | 8/24/2006 | 5 | Severe constipation from pain meds | The only effects I experienced were smooth, regular, and painless bowel movements. | What a relief it is to be able to have a normal satisfying bowel movement that doesn't tear the flesh off my butt hole. A life without feeling all backed up in G.I. standstill. | M | 38 | 2 days | 9/17/2006 | 5 | Constipation | Soft stools, after a colonoscopy and hard stools redeveloping immediately, I was in tears. However, the surgeon told me he had called the makers of the drug and I could stay on it for years without any side effect. I recently had breast cancer and am just beginning on Femara. I wish I could say it is as positive an experience as the Miralax. | I don't worry about dying of colon cancer as my grandmother did because of the daily cleansing this drug provides. | F | 58 | 2 years | 9/24/2006 | 4 | constipation | No side effects so far. But I am not very sure about the long term effects on children. | My little daughter was almost 3 when she started Miralax. We tried so many things and they were not this helpful. This is a miracle. She is fine, I am happy and no hard stools any more if you use it continuously. The only thing I am worried about is the side effects that we may not know right now. | F | 4 | 11 months | 9/28/2006 | 5 | constipation entire life | none | I am concerned about long time use | F | 68 | 3 years | 10/23/2006 | 5 | chronic constipation | occasional diarrhea | It works -- 17 grams daily, mixed into any liquid results in soft stools on a regular basis. I have reduced motility due to bowel resection, plus constipation from the narcotic pain relievers I'm taking to control rectal pain. A very hellish cycle, but Miralax keeps me from screaming. | M | 58 | 6 months | 10/29/2006 | 5 | chronic constipation | none | I have been taking Miralax for two months now and for the first time the medication has stopped producing regular bowel movements. I am hopeful that it will begin working again soon. | F | 22 | 2 months | 11/3/2006 | 5 | chronic constip. due to bipolar med | no side effects- | I wish I had found out about this medication earlier! It really really helps. My gastroenterologist plans on keeping me on it long term. Take 17g 2X daily | F | 36 | 6 months | 11/6/2006 | 5 | Prep for colonoscopy | Surprising none at all | I was prescribed Miralax as a prep for my colonoscopy. I was instructed to mix 17 grams with juice, gatoraide, or clear soda. I had to drink fifteen 8 ounce glasses. I was told to drink them every 10 to 15 minutes. I spread them from 20 to 25 minutes because I was getting full. I suffer from reflux and was sure I would vomit from this. I was wrong. I mixed it with lemonaide flavored gatoraide and switced to ginger ale here and there. THIS PRODUCT IS TASTELESS AND DID NOT GET ME SICK! Needless to say, I was in the bathroom for the day,just a few minutes each time, and some of the night (due to the added pills). I was so happy that this product wasn't vile like all the stories I have heard about other products. In 5 years from now when I repeat this procedure, I will use Miralax again. I thought this commentary would be useful because after reading this website, I noticed nobody commented about using this as a prep. Good luck to you all. | M | 41 | 6 days | 11/14/2006 | 4 | IBS with Constipation | Unpleasant smelling gas and loose stool if you take too much; no BM if you take too little | Miralax (and its generic) help me. I've had constipation issues my whole life, and found out at age 17 that it was due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Miralax can produce soft stools, but you must drink plenty of fluids and have a healthy diet. I take about 10grams/day with coffee (a natural laxative) and a bottle of water for success. The drug helps, but if you overeat or eat IBS trigger foods (high fat, etc), your system can get backed up regardless of the drug's presence. Although Miralax is gentler than OTC stool softeners, it is not perfect and I worry about long-term use. These are serious chemicals, and I can't find any long-term studies on it. If you are a life-long IBS sufferer, this drug can help. However, monitoring other elements of IBS that cause constipation (stress, diet, lack of exercise) are just as important to overall health. | F | 22 | 5 years | 11/15/2006 | 5 | Constipation due to colon resection | None. | I had a colon resection and now diverticulitis in the newly pulled down section of colon. (Yeah, bummer.) Constipation resulted and the straining to go just makes the diverticulitis worse. Miralax has really worked well for me. Within 12 hours after the first dose, I was able to go for the first time in days. Now, I think I'll back off it a bit as I'm going a bit TOO frequently! | F | 50 | 3 days | 12/1/2006 | 5 | life-long severe constipation | I just started taking it daily about two weeks ago and my stools are watery but consistant. | I thought I was the only person who suffered this way. It's been a life-long problem but in the past two years it got to the point that I could NEVER have a bowel movement even after 10-14 days unless I took a stimulant laxative. I can't believe that I lived with this for so long and that the solution was so simple. I literally feel as though I can finally have a normal life---not being controlled by the pain of constipation and then the affects of being home-bound when I would take a laxtative. THIS PRODUCT IS AMAZING. | F | 49 | 2 weeks | 12/5/2006 | 5 | Chronic constipation + post surgery | After constipation issues all my life, it was a relief to have predictable bowel movements. However, in the last 8 mo. I've had two uncontrollable, explosive "happenings". I've never thought about lowering the dosage, I'll consult with my MD. Just grateful something works. I've always been a water drinker, so that wasn't the issue re: constipation. I think IBS, Crohns, and lifestyle were more the problem. | F | 75 | 18 years | 12/5/2006 | 5 | IBS Started after re-section | The first few days my belly *gurgled* but no bowel movement. I went on the fourth day and haven't had any side effects at all except playing around with the dosage to get what fits my problem. | This has beena wonder drug for me. Before I was prescribed this, I was taking Zelnorm and it seemed to stop working after 3 years. I still take it but without the Miralax, I cannot go. I was desperate and was resorting to Senna tabs each day. The Miralax has worked wonders. You have to play with the dose though. | F | 42 | 7 days | 12/20/2006 | 4 | constipation | None | Works great but am concerned about my child becoming dependent on it. | M | 8 | 30 days | 12/31/2006 | 5 | taking high doses of narcotics | no side effects | i've had constipation for about a year since i've had to take pain meds daily due to cronic pain. i tried otc laxatives that didnt help, i did use a natural product i ordered where i get my mineral suppliments and it worked well for awhile then it quit working. my pain management dr. had me try kristolose, but it tasted awful and didnt work, so he gave me the miralax. i take it once a day, and have a bm every morning. i'm just wondering if i can take it twice a day for a long period of time. can anyone answer ? | F | 51 | 7 days | 1/6/2007 | 5 | Constipation after colon resection | Mild nausea if taken on an empty stomach | This medicine has been a God send! It succeeded in getting my bowels moving regularly following a period of completely stagnant intestines after surgery. And I am thrilled that it is totally tasteless when mixed with my morning orange juice! | F | 52 | 2 weeks | 1/26/2007 | 5 | My 11 year old son has Autism and is unable to tell us how he is feeling. It has always worked great until one time we got the generic form of Miralax. At that time he became so bloated. He was crying and was unable to hold his bms as well as before, yet lowering the dose didnt help. When we went back the regular Mirlax he seemed to get back to himself. I ask the doctor about it. he said it should all work the same. Just recently he recevied the generic again. It was just as the time before. Anyone else have this happen? | Wondering what the long term effects could be | M | 3 days | 1/29/2007 | 5 | Slow motility due to CREST syndrome | None | I love this stuff. I drink it in 8oz of water and it is tasteless. I move daily and have not felt this good in years. My concern...L-T use...any one have any ideas on daily L-T useage? | F | 9 months | 1/30/2007 | 5 | chronic constipation due to opiods | in the 2 1/2 years of taking Miralax I have never noticed any side effects. | I've had irritable bowel syndrome for most of my life, doctors always told me to drink more water, eat more fiber, take OTC laxatives if I didn't have a bm for 3 days. I had tried every OTC laxative and always had bloating & gas pains and many times had to take the OTC a 2nd and 3rd day before I had any relief, and the relief wasn't pleasant. After finally having a bm, I would be weak for a day. 15 years ago I had to have back surgery that helped with one problem but I was left with chronic back and leg pain. I will be on opiods the rest of my life, and thought I would be constipated forever. About 2 1/2 years ago my doctor gave me a sample of Miralax, I was skeptical but willing to try. After the 3rd day of taking Miralax mixed with anything I wanted, I had the best bm I had in years, it was just like a normal person. I thought maybe this was just a fluke, I had my daily dose of Miralax and was surprised the next day I had another normal bm, and this continued every day. Ab | M | 54 | 2 years | 2/3/2007 | 4 | 2 year old no BMs | We've had our son on Miralax for almost 8 months and been very happy. Most recently, when we had his prescription refilled, were given a generic and since then (about 3 weeks) he has shown severe bloating and general malaise. Also, an interesting crusty rash on his hand. All of these are "possible" side effects listed on the generic he is taking. We are stopping it immediately and requesting the brand MIRALAX only. | M | 3 | 8 months | 2/7/2007 | 4 | chronic fissure | No side effects on miralax. Have been taking it for 2-1/2years. Had a sphincterotomy a year ago, which was unsuccessful. Miralax has been a tremendous help. | I am writing in response to the email, from the woman w/an autistic child, regarding the generic brand problems she has had. I found this interesting and was wondering if there was any merit to her complaint ? In my case, I too, have noticed a difference when using generic vs. brand/mirlax. It was noticed when switching from one to another, due to insurance. I truly did not change my diet, except for the Miralax formula. Within 2 days, my fissure was again so painful, after mos. of relief...I believe that there has to be a difference between generic and brand. In my case, generic seems to work better for me, by putting more fluid in my bowel movements, over brand. In the case of the little boy, I am sure that he is noticing a difference between brand vs. generic..his case is opposite mine. | F | 40 | | 2/7/2007 | 5 | chronic constipation | none | I have been using polyethlene glycol since 1993(I am 52 now). Used to get it in jugs (go-litely or some such name). It was only used for bowel cleansing but my gastroenterologist let me try it. Had normal bowel movements for the first time in my life, felt like a normal person after being impacted since age 17 and always treated like just another neurotic, hysterical female. After 14 years have had no bad side effects and had good colonscopy, colon looks really healthy, but I do eat a very hi fiber diet of course and lots of water (shouldn't everyone if they can?). I hope this helps others feel better about this drug that is truly a miracle for people like myself. I would rather risk side effects than live the way I did before using this stuff, but after 14 years - hey, I'm better than ever!! The only problem is it seems to work best when first opened and then looses some of its efficiency. Most generics work fine except for one made by TEVA - tastes bad, doesn't work right. Over all, | F | 52 | 14 years | 2/8/2007 | 5 | child witholding | a little gassiness | Our 4 year old was afraid to poop, saying it would "hurt," so she would hold it in for DAYS, resulting in even more pain. It was a vicious cycle. Since taking the generic of miralax she has had perfect stool, and is no longer afraid of pooping! | F | 4 | 3 weeks | 2/20/2007 | 4 | constipation and fissure | I believe there are big differences between the brand Miralax and the generic brands. My body does not respond, at all, to the polyetheline glycol manufactured by "Par." I am fine with other generic brands such as "Affordable." When people say that they do notice a difference, I am in 100% agreement. My body/colon shut down in a day, and I was in excruciating pain. Walgreens had switched their manufacturer and I just couldn't figure out why my meds. were not working.....Stick to the Miralax/polyetheline glycol that works best for you...this is a must. Always check the manufacturers name on the bottle and ask for that specifically, when ordering. Also, my pharmacist was having trouble filling Miralax for me and after searching a few Walgreens, they told me that the manufacturer of Miralax will no longer be making "Miralax." Do not know if this is true, anyone else hear this? | F | 40 | 3 years | 2/25/2007 | 5 | Colonic Inertia-lazy colon | No side effects | I was diagnosed with Colonic Inertia-lazy colon 4 years ago. My gastronologist prescribed Miralax. He said to take it every day for the rest of my life and that it won't hurt me to do so. If my stools got too soft, to cut back a little the next morning. If they got a little hard, to up the dose a little the next day. Before Miralax, all my life I had small, hard stools and went only once or twice a week. Miralax is truly a miracle as it says in it's name. I have taken it every day for 4 years and have a bm 6 out of 7 days and very healthy ones at that! Like Dr. Oz on the Oprah show says, "A C shaped movement is good but an S shape is great!" I have had many S movements since Miralax! I have told many people about Miralax and they have thanked me over and over for it. My sister is one of the people I turned onto it. She has IBS and it has "cured" her of her symptoms. We make sure we pack our Miralax when we go on trips. I am afraid of missing a dose as I | F | 53 | 4 days | 2/26/2007 | 4 | Chronic constipation | some loose stool but lowered dose a little each day until I found just the right one | Caused a little gas occasionly but well worth it | F | 58 | 2 weeks | 3/21/2007 | 5 | chronic constipation | About a month ago I was told that the manufacture of miralax was no longer making it. I was worried because as I wrote before my son with Autism was having problems with the generic. Today I saw an add on tv saying that Miralax was now sold over the counter. I hope it is exactly the same as before. Does anyone know? This is great if it its! | M | 11 | 3 years | 3/22/2007 | 4 | Chronic constipation | None so far | I noticed that a few of the correspondents had long-term exposure to this without any side-effects. That's great. However, I wonder whether alternating Miralax with psyllium fibre OR combining half-doses of each would be better. Does anyone have a comment on that approach? If either method works, it might allay the concerns about side-effects somewhat. | M | 55 | 5 days | 3/29/2007 | 1 | constipation | Toxic stuff. Causes kidney damage. | M | 4 | 14 months | 3/29/2007 | 5 | chronic life-long constipation | For the first three days I had no bowel movement and had bloating and cramps. The fourth day I had two very soft bowel movements and the bloating and cramps stopped. | I'm thrilled I found something that works. My system is strange - a high fiber diet constipates me - when I tried psyllium I felt like my intestines turned into concrete! I drink at LEAST a gallon of water a day and exercise regularly. I take the generic made by Kremer. My Dr. thinks I may have "slow bowel motility," but I haven't been tested for that yet. He wanted to see if this product helped first and it did! Anyone out there with the same fiber problem I have? | F | 52 | 4 days | 4/15/2007 | 5 | Chronic Constipation | Only side effect has been several bowel movements some days, which is much better than than severe pain my son was in when suffering with constipation. | This prescription has as been our miracle! | M | 3 | 2 years | 4/15/2007 | 5 | IBS, chronic constipation. | No side effects whatsoever and my only small complaint would be that it seems to cause the stools to have a very strong odor. | Since childhood I have had IBS, but it wasn't until I was 60 that I discovered it was due to lactose intollerance and by then a lot of damage had been done to the lower GI, resulting in severe diverticulitis, constipation, and very difficult bowel movements. In fact, the force needed to empty the rectum resulted in a pelvic floor collapse. By the time I was 70 I was at my wit's end. Like others, I had taken a fiber supplement, drunk lots water, and complained to Drs. who really do believe fiber is a cure-all but, as I found out, it can be very constipating. I ended up with an excrutiating fissure, and severe internal hemorrhoids. To his great credit, an Urgent Care doctor recommended Miralax, and now, seven months later, the fissure has healed, the hemorrhoids are calm, and I am gradually relaxing at the need to have a bowel movement for the first time in so, so many years. Miralax has been wonderful for me, and I appreciate and relate so much to all the others who have shared their st | F | 70 | 7 months | 4/16/2007 | 5 | IBS-Constipation | I have NO side effects. I have a bowel movement regularly now! | Miralax is a miracle for me!! I've tried Zelnorm and liked it but my body got "used" and didn't work as well anymore + it is off the market! I've tried Amitiza and that was horrible for me -I had insomia. With Miralax I go to the bathroom regularly now and have no side effects or pains. LOVE IT!!! :0) | F | 33 | 2 days | 4/23/2007 |