| Key to ratings for miralax: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
| | F M | | | | ||||
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| 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 | Hirshbrungs | It was a GREAT thing for me. I have a condition where for my entire life, I will ALWAYS have constipation. And even though it will never completely go away. This made it alot easier!! I've been taking it almost my entire life! | F | 24 | 18 years | 6/24/2007 | 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 | constipation | gas | I have been taking it now for about 10 years so far no side effects. | M | 10 years | 11/18/2007 | 5 | colonic inertia | NO side effects, even after 10 years! | GREAT New Information! My daughter works as a pharmacy tech and she found a new supplier for the generic Miralax. You can get it by prescription now again! It is called "Polyethylene Glycol 3350 NF." It is made by Breckenfridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. Ask your doctor to prescribe it as it is way cheaper than OTC Miralax! The bottle holds 527 grams and the Miralax is 510 grams. | F | 54 | 10 years | 1/14/2008 | 5 | chronic constipation | None | I swear by it.....have had no side effects whatsoever | F | 66 | 8 years | 3/6/2008 | 5 | IBS - C | ABSOLUTELY NONE | I suffered from chronic constipation since birth..My constipation was so bad it was almost disabling at times, never knowing if I could fit into my clothing from one day to the next, it was like I had a ten pound bag of potatoes in my abdomen.. I tried everything from increasing fiber (in massive amounts) in my diet, to suppositories, enemas, herbal teas and concoctions, nothing ever worked, I thought I'd never be "normal" until I finally found a caring GI doc (after years & years of going) who prescribed Miralax.. I've been "regular" ever since.. no more bloating, cramping, flatulence or panicing when I have to go somewhere or fit into something! I too change dosages according to how my body feels and usually take weekend "drug holidays" where I don't take it.. I've also been taking a pro-biotic (Natrol Bio Beads) which seem to help my digestion and keep things moving.. I couldn't live without Miralax!! This stuff has literally improved my life ten | F | 46 | 6 years | 3/10/2008 | 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 | 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 | 4 | Severe constipation after menopause | Pretty severe upper abdominal bloating and discomfort | I had very normal bowel movements until my last menstrual period 8 years ago. Then everything intestinal just seemed to stop. Went to GI Doctor, had a colonscopy to see what the problem was, and everything was fine. He prescribed Miralax, and what a difference! I had my first gentle bowel movement only three days after the first dose (capful). Here is something you may not know - Eating is the trigger for Miralax to really work. Put it in your morning orange juice, eat something and then wait - it won't be long before you go. Now if that Glycolax didn't cause so much bloating, it really would be a miracle. I do have some concern about the chemical polyethylene glycol and hope it won't cause serious problems with long term use. | M | 57 | 5 years | 11/28/2007 | 4 | 8 Year Old Son Cronic Constipation | none to speak of... yet. | My son is 8 yrs old. He has been diagnosed with a lazy colon. We went through celiac treatment and the possibilities of Hirschprungs disease. He has been on a daily dose of Miralax (17grams), Fletchers (2 teaspoons), and one tablet of Prevacid (15 MG Solutab). He has had chronic constipation since he was 3 months old. He is not showing signs of improvement. Today he had a BM after a stretch of 12 days. It is extremely painful to see him go through this cycle. Can anyone tell me if he will out grow this condition? Rick | M | 8 | 5 years | 8/28/2009 | 4 | IBS with constipation | Gas with the generic. | I eat a high fiber diet, take a fiber supplement 2-3 times a day, and drink 8 glasses of water daily. Also exercise daily. Still had chronic constipation with pain and bleeding hemmorhoids. Have had problems since I was a baby. Now my medication for high cholesterol aggravates the problem. The gastroenterologist prescribed Miralax, she said there are no side effects and it was safe for long term usage. It has helped me tremendously. I am interested to read about the problems with wheat. That may be contributing in my case. I know the dairy products do and avoid them. | F | 67 | 4 years | 5/10/2007 | 3 | Constipation after TBI | Foul-smelling gas, at times. Too much turns BMs to water. | I have had to take a small amount of a Fleet enema since nerve damage during accident. Doctor told me Miralax can be used daily, but seems like I have to take more as time goes by. Elimination easier with Miralax, but must still use Fleet enema (about 1/6 of a bottle) daily. | M | 45 | 4 years | 6/2/2008 | 1 | son was chronically constipated | neurological disorders (ADD, autism dx), tics, psychosis, lethargy, burning/itching skin, burning bowel movements | My son was prescribed this by his pediatric GI - we're supposed to trust docs, right? This medicine is POISON. It is NOT meant for children or long-term use. We mistakenly gave it to him for 4 years - he suffered horribly because of it. We cut him off it cold-turkey and he is slowly healing from all the damage. DO NOT GIVE IT TO YOUR CHILDREN! | F | 40 | 4 years | 10/26/2009 | 5 | chronic constipation | Took a couple of days to start working. Really smelly gas just before bowel movement, and really soft stools. Bad hemeroids so hard to clean rectal area. | I've been taking this for over three years, following a colonoscopy and recommended by my gastroenterologist. After years of constipation, this has been a Godsend. I used to take six stool softeners, metamucil, rutin, and was still constipated half the time. Would go days without a movement. I'll gladly put up with a little messiness for regular bowels. | F | 64 | 3 years | 8/10/2009 | 5 | Chronic, severe constipation | None I'm aware of. (Gas and cramping were worse with constipation.) I'm currently having some muscular/neurological problems (muscle twitching and weakness in neck). Does anyone think this might be related to Miralax? | I've struggled with constipation since I was a child. It got worse in my thirties and caused sever hemorrhoids. Doctors kept telling me to ingest more fiber, avoid red meat, drink more water - all of which I was already doing. (I even became a vegan.) After a miserable hemorrhoidectomy, I continued to have problems (fissure). I found a new doctor who knew about chronic (genetic) constipation and Miralax, thank goodness. Miralax has probably saved my life, & certainly given me a new lease on it! | F | 51 | 3 years | 4/8/2009 | 5 | Chronic Constipation | none | This stuff is a miracle. My 7 year old daughter has been taking for three years for chronic constipation on instructions from a pediatric GI. The thing that concerns me is that we've tried to wean her off Miralax, but everytime we decrease the slighest amount, she starts to have problems again. | F | 7 | 3 years | 3/18/2008 | 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 | constipation entire life | none | I am concerned about long time use | F | 68 | 3 years | 10/23/2006 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 4 | Constipation | Miralax has been very helpful to me but I also have a continuous rash. Can anything be done about it? | F | 56 | 3 years | 2/3/2009 | 3 | chronic constipation | explosive diarrhea, esophogeal burning, gas, food backing up into my throat | prescribed by the doctor who did my colonoscopy, and it was a miracle for me for almost 3 years, but suddenly I feel like my entire GI track is in revolt. Internist thinks it could be the Miralax. I have stopped using it, and am hoping everything will calm down in few days. I have been struggling with the gas, burning and diarrhea for 3 weeks. I know the constipation will also return, but if I can go back to it, I will go back to half doses more like every other day. I am still not sure this is the result of the Miralax, x-rays and blood tests came back normal I am still wondering if this is not a viral infection of some kind. | F | 63 | 3 years | 5/8/2009 | 1 | "functional" constipation | We're still not sure what all it did to our daughter as we were not drawing the parallels then (see next section for web group that we've learned from in hindsight many things we saw then were probably related to it), but we're pretty sure now that it caused behavior issues among others. | For those who have had lifelong issues, have you been checked for celiac disease? ("Classic" has diarrhea but they're finding out many have it who do not have "classic" symptoms.) Do any of you or your children "crave" wheat and related foods? Some people with this tendency break gluten (wheat protein) down incompletely into a relative of morphine, which accounts for their constipation. A week after we took gluten out of our daughter's diet, her "functional" (i.e., supposedly no anatomical and/or physiological reason for it) constipation cleared up (we had already taken milk out of her diet, which many people who don't fully digest gluten in this way also have the same problem with). As far as long-term side effects, there is a whole yahoo group dedicated to discussing these issues: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/miralax/ You have to join to be able to access the archives, but it might make interesting reading regarding what others have | F | 9 | 3 years | 5/9/2007 | 5 | colitis | I have to take this med when I first get up before I eat or it will cause cramping. I've also learned not to be careless about measuring the 17 gms or I will get dirrahea. I take it once a day. | I for one am grateful for it because I can't take fiber supplements due to an allergy to wheat. I was in a lot of pain, enough to make me break out in cold sweats and vomit. now I'm regular and I don't have to hurt. | F | 65 | 2 years | 12/24/2008 | 5 | Chronic and lifelong constipation | Pooping | On a more serious note, it did cause some bloating and because it made my stool softer, it was difficult to get clean without using a baby wipe. Being able to actually poop was totally worth it, though! | F | 33 | 2 years | 1/30/2009 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 5 | IBS | F | 38 | 2 years | 7/12/2006 | 5 | chronic constipation | For the first 4 days or so had lots of bloating (similar to that following laparoscopic surgery) but quickly resolved. | This drug is a lifesaver for both me and my son. If I take 17g a day for several days and then skip a day I will be fine, but if I skip more than one day, I will quickly develop an impaction. I am careful to monitor for signs of electrolyte imbalance and make sure I have hydration therapy on hand. My 6-year-old son has never really been potty trained, and I have felt like a failure as a mother until I found out that he has a condition called encopresis (he soils his pants at school because of a lax colon resulting from constipation) and now that summer is here we are trying MiraLax. GI specialist recommended extremely high dosages of several colon cleansing agents. I do not feel right about doing this to him, so I am just giving him 1/4 to 1/2 a capful daily and he is actually requesting to sit on the toilet for the first time ever--It is a miracle! We have a ways to go, but I expect he will be potty trained by first grade. | F | 32 | 2 years | 7/3/2007 | 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 | daughter has chronic constipation | Miralax has worked so great! My daughter is 6 years old and has taken it for 2 years! The only thing is that her stool is close to diahria, but every time I lower her dose even a little she get horrible stomach pains and constipation. We haven't been able to find that exact dosage yet! | F | 6 | 2 years | 4/24/2008 | 5 | Severe Constipation, Fissures | Cramps, gas, bloating | I have had chronic constipation for more than eight years now. I've had intestinal blockages, impactions, and fissures. This really is the only thing that helps me. I've tried eating more fiber, less fiber, drinking more water, moving more, etc. Nothing worked and the doctors still can't tell me what's going on. If it wasn't for Miralax, I don't know what I would do. | F | 16 | 2 years | 5/16/2009 | 5 | Chronic Constipation | No side effects yet. | I started my son on this when he was two. He had chronic constipation and would cry everytime he had to poop. It was horrible. After repeated trips to his physician and changes in his diet and finally changing physicians, Miralax was a Miracle. I wish his first doctor would have mentioned this much sooner, as his constipation started at 8 mos. He's still on it and I give it to him every other morning, mixed in juice or milk. | M | 4 | 2 years | 5/20/2009 | 5 | Severe & lifelong constipation prob | It will cause gas UNTIL you go, but never have any problems after. | I have tried, literally, EVERYTHING. More fiber, more fiber, more fiber. I was on ZELNORM (ugh) for a long time, too. And you know what?? MIRALAX WORKS BETTER THAN ZELNORM EVER DID. NONE of the pain, either. It is truly the only thing that has really worked, LONG TERM, for me. I take it almost every day. I mix the suggested dose into 1/2 Cup of Fiber One, 1/2 container Miralax, and milk. It is a miracle concoction, as far as regularity is concerned!! I love this stuff & hope there are no long term bad side effects to it. I've been on it nearly 2 years so far & have had no problems yet. | F | 29 | 2 years | 6/27/2009 | 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 | 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 | 4 | chronic constipation from meds | None except can never get "clean" after a BM. I wipe and wipe, and there is still poop left, even with a moist wipe, getting all the poop from the area is extremely difficult. | Difficult clean up is the main issue. I don't like to go, unless it's before my shower and I know I clean for the day. Little "seed" like particles get stuck in the folds of my rectum. So no amount of wiping seems to fully work. I wonder is I am completing the BM. But I can't push anymore out... Does this happen to anyone else?, Any tips? Otherwise, this product is great. I used to get impacted, not go for 5 day, then poop something the size and feel of a small walnut. Ouch....thank goodness for Miralax. | F | 43 | 2 years | 2/16/2009 | 3 | Chronic constipation | At first some rumbling in the tummy and sometimes hard to get to the bathroom in time, but I don't complain about that after my 79 years of little action from the intestines. | I have been taking Miralax for about two years and it was a godsend after years and years of trouble with constipation. Now it doesn't seem to work nearly as well. I wonder if they have changed the formula or is it` just me. I hope someone can answer if they have changed the makeup of Miralax or not. | F | 79 | 2 years | 7/18/2007 | 3 | ibs | severe painful gas and bloading but, I stopped eating dairy products and all those symptoms had disapeared. | Be careful using this product long term. The package does says not to use for more than 7 days but, who reads packages? right? But after two years of using this product in my coffee every morning, I now had develop an involuntary bowl movement problem where my stool is so soft that I can't feel the urge to go and, suddenly I feel something wet and that how I realized that I had a bowl movement. I do not take this anymore and I found that by eating the peel of three red apples (do a chunky peel, do not eat the apple) first thing in the morning, works great for constispation to the point that I go everyday once a day and I control when I go and I'm doing this naturally. | F | 39 | 2 years | 6/12/2009 | 3 | narcotic-induced constipation | as noted by others, bloated feeling, never felt bowels completely emptied, irritation from repeated elimination and then wiping off poop that was not completely evacuated and left a residual smear on toilet paper and in panties. Unique side effect was worsening of gastroesophogeal reflux spasms but cannot tell if that was miralax or narcotic doing it since taking both simultaneously. wish there were a synthetic narcotic that does not stop up the bowels. | tastes like plastic because it has a main ingredient of plastic. it is a polymer based on ethylene, same as plastic bags and cheap bicycle water bottles. awful taste, can barely choke it down. surprising it is reported as protecting from colon cancer since many polymers are carcinogenic but maybe not as carcinogenic as an industrialized poop stream is. | F | 47 | 2 years | 4/18/2009 | 2 | IBS | Bouts of diarrea, swelling, pain which seems to be inside near rectum at night, not being able to go "all the way", accidents | I thought it was working great - doctor recommened instead of fiber therapy. I have now realized that it causes more problems than it is worth and fiber therapy only had one negative side effect - bloating. I was worried about the chemicals anyway. The pain I have been feeling cannot be normal. | F | 31 | 2 years | 3/10/2008 | 5 | chronic constipation | no side effects! | Miralax = Miracle! I recommend this to anyone that has constipation. I feel so much better every day. I have a regular bm almost every morning. My husband just recently started having constipation now he drinks when needed. It takes maybe 2-3 days to work, but once its in your system your good to go. I don't notice a change if I don't drink one day, but if I go 2 or more days without it the constipation returns. Was told by the dr. Miralax can be taken forever - I just hope they keep manufacturing it forever! | F | 45 | 1.5 years | 7/24/2007 | 5 | Chronic Constipation | The first day I had horrible cramps, but that was only because I was so backed up. | My bowel movements were about once every two weeks, and they were HUGE (I mean in mass) and usually caused bleeding. When I rarely had the urge to have a movement, it was painful. Very painful. Miralax has erased that, I go every day with no pain. I have had no cramps or any bad side effect. | F | 34 | 1.5 years | 3/5/2009 | 3 | constipation/hard stool | it does work but i get really bad sharp pains in my intestines/colon area. | F | 14 | 1.5 years | 4/2/2009 | 5 | constipation/diverticulitis | None | After years of severe abdominal pain attacks, I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis. When I had these attacks, I would try all kinds of fiber supplements to move matter through my system. Each had side effects - UNTIL, prior to surgery, the surgeon recommended Miralax, along with eliminating all seeds & nuts from my diet. She said that Miralax is gentle & has no side effects, which has proven absolutely true for me. It feels wonderful to have my system working normally again, and because of Miralax & eliminating seeds & nuts from my diet, I've been spared surgery! | F | 63 | 1 years | 3/8/2009 | 5 | chronic constipation | None | I had gastric bypass, have had several small bowel obstructions, and very slow small bowel transit time. I take Miralax twice daily (as recommended by my surgeon) and it has SAVED MY LIFE. Have not had to take a stimulant laxative since starting this. I am unable to tolerate any kind of fiber due to little motility in my bowels, and this is the only way I can survive. It's expensive, but sure is worth it! | F | 46 | 1 years | 10/7/2009 | 5 | chronic constipation | none | I love this product. I found taking the entire recommended dosage to be too much, so I started using only 1/2 the dose and found that to work well. After being regular for several months, I now only take about a 1/4 of dosage amount daily in my coffee. I plan to continue on this indefinitely. It has made a wonderful difference in my life. | F | 49 | 1 years | 3/20/2008 | 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 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 | 4 | Constipation | Rash on arms, chest. Couldn't figure out why since diet had not changed and there were no new environmental exposures to make me itch. I take no other medications. I'm healthy, with a healthy diet and I run 3 miles almost everyday. Bumps starting getting larger & itching more. I went online and found that others had had a rash/hives itching from Miralax. So yes, it works great but beware! | The rash only developed after using Miralax as prescribed 1 x daily (on & off, but most days) for about a year. Perhaps it's possible to develop an adverse reaction from long-term use! | F | 63 | 1 years | 6/6/2008 | 2 | Impaction caused by constipation | Vomitting; Bowel that is watery or "snakes" as my son calls it; anal leakage | At first I thought it was working until X-rays later, it showed he still has an impaction and is now back in pull-ups and starts kindergarden in 1 month. Was told he would have to take it for sometime after he was regulated. Am now going to a wholistic nurse instead of GI specialist at Yale. Try Rhubarb - much more natural!!! | M | 5 | 18 months | 6/29/2009 | 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/anal fissure | Almost none. | This medicine helps. I had a chronic anal fissure for which I had to go through a surgery. While Miralax could not cure the fissure, it is helping me to keep the stool soft so that there there is no future recurrence of fissure. I take a little over half the recommended dose (about 10g I think). I do drink about 3 liter of water every day, eat enough fiber from natural food and exercise 3 times per week. So far so good and I plan to continue Miralax for the rest of my life and my colorectal specialist is fine with that. | M | 36 | 15 months | 10/31/2007 | 1 | constipation | Toxic stuff. Causes kidney damage. | M | 4 | 14 months | 3/29/2007 | 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 | 4 | Life-long constipation | Occasional gas | Since the time I was an infant, I have had chronic constipation due to IBS. My mother actually had to put MOM in my bottles! After developing hemorrhoids from childbirth, and after having chemotherapy which shut down my colon completely, my PCP urgently prescribed MiraLax for me. Where have you been all my life! PCP tells me it is safe for adults and children, and is safe to take very long-term...what a relief! | F | 43 | 12 months | 1/15/2008 | 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 | 4 | Hard Stools | REALLY stinky farts; pooping more than once a day | Does soften the stools.... | M | 55 | 10 months | 11/13/2008 | 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 after Cipro | Absolutely no bad side effects! It truly is a miracle for me. | Within 3 days I was having trouble free bowel movements after 11 months of absolute agony and a 25 lb weight loss which developed after being perscribed Ciprofoxacin for a sinus infection. The Cipro really tore me up, with bloody diarhea and severe pain and cramping. When I called my GP Dr.'s office, they encouraged me to stay on it for the full 10 days. I wish I had listened to myself and not the DR. Because of my continuing symptoms, I had every diagnostic and blood test known to man, and my GI Dr. could find nothing wrong so he diagnosed IBS. I developed hemmorhoids, horrible smelling bowel movements and a redundant colon from the straining, and severe upper GI pains and excruciating shincter contractions. I thought I was going to die. I've been on Miralax for 9 months and have gradually reduced the dose to approx. 1/3 a capful successfully. From being afraid to eat and looking emaciated I am eating EVERYTHING again without worry and have regained the lost weight. I've experienced | F | 56 | 9 months | 6/30/2008 | 5 | many years of chronic constipation | I have not noticed any side effects from the Miralax. | It is wonderful! After many years of chronic constipation which had become worse, a colonoscopy revealed diverticulosis of the colon. Adding extra fiber to my diet did not help; it only created gas. My doctor prescribed polyetheylene glycol (the generic form of Miralax) and it saved me. I take 1 tablespoon in a glass of orange juice every evening, and have normal BM's every morning. No more constipation. It does not give me diarrhea or gas. I take no fiber supplements, and keep the fiber foods moderated, because fiber gives me gas. I also take simethicone regularly, to keep that under control. This stuff is truly a godsend for me, and my doctor says I can take it forever. I believe this will keep me from ever having serious colon problems like diverticulitis. I have the pockets in my colon, but I believe they are healing. This just might have saved my life. Amen! | F | 56 | 8 months | 1/23/2008 | 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 | 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 | chronic constipation | No side effects, works great. | Help! I have been taking miralax for several months because my antidepressant (the one which works best for me) causes severe constipation. It has been great! No sice effects and less than full dosage keeps me regular and comfortable every day....a great sense health, finally! Now my GP says to get off the miralax or I will become dependent. After a week of almost no bowel movements (pebbles, excuse me) I have started taking it again and hope I get better soon. What is the REAL word on long-term use?? It has really improved my quality of life and I want to continue taking it. | F | 59 | 7 months | 6/6/2009 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 5 | chronic constipation | occassionally I feel like I should go more or have a gas bubble that won't pass. If I eat something it tends to speed things along. | I really do like it and would recommend anyone to try it. It works best for me when taken at night before bed. I also take 2 doses of generic metamucil daily. Don't overdrink water, eat low fat and low sugar diet. Over all has changed my life for the better, happier now! | F | 49 | 6 months | 10/16/2007 | 5 | Less time in bathroom | None | It's a great product and my wife an RN works in a GI unit said that doctors have been telling patients to take it "forever" as a stool softner, especially now that it is OTC. Before starting it, I would be regular (three times a day) but BM had some pain and straining even with a relatively soft BM. Fiber supplements and more water made no difference. Nor did conventional stool softeners with docuate sodium (which also contains some version of e-glycol). I take a half a cap of Miralax in the evening and my system just runs more smoothy. I do not go more often but can go more quickly and with less pain before and straining. If my system slows down, I take a full capful for a few days. It produces more consitently soft BMs without any diaharea or anything like it in my case. | M | 60 | 6 months | 9/15/2007 | 5 | 8 year old encoperesis | none but recently had pale stool | has been a life saver for my daughter who has been having severe constipation with stool impaction. Whenever we skip a few days, she immediately is constipated again. She takes is without an issue in a glass of water, juice or tea. No taste whatsoever | F | 08 | 6 months | 11/6/2009 | 4 | impaction | gas,gas,gas and mo gas. | works wonderfully once you figure out what your personal dose is. worried about becoming dependant on it. | F | 6 months | 6/21/2009 | 4 | CC | Wondering if the Generic can still be prescribed? | 6 months | 7/4/2007 | 5 | IBS C&D, Hemorrhoids | Minor gas issues. | I've had IBS for quite a few years and also recently got hemorrhoids. IBS had me constipated for 3 to 4 days then I'd have a large amount of diarrhea which would constantly cause my hemorrhoids to flare. After suffereing for a while my doctor recommended this and it's been great. My issue with IBS has almost disappeared and when it does happen the symptoms and cramping aren't as severe as they used to be. It has given me my life back. I don't get flare ups anymore unless I stop taking it for too long. | M | 24 | 5 months | 4/9/2008 | 3 | constipation | none - slow to work. | My daughter at 6 months of age became really constipated. The doctor prescribed the generic form of Miralax - Glycolax I think that is what it was called. It worked great. When Miralax went OTC, I had to switch, this was back in April 2008. It does not seem to work as well. She gets 2 teaspoons every other day in juice or milk, she is now 18 months old. If she is not on it, she is really constipated - she likes to hold it in. I'm a bit disappointed in the product but I have no choice but to use it. It will eventually work but takes a couple days. I'm not looking for a "blow out" just something to ease the process along for her. | F | 37 | 5 months | 8/25/2008 | 1 | severe ibs w/ constipation | Have experienced horrible side effects with nausea, bloating, gas, diherrea, loss of appetite and headaches | I would not recommend this product for long periods of time people of all ages and sex should take precautions when using this product or it will make you sick . It works but the side effects are horrible . I am a mother of two girls ages 2 and 7 and it has been difficult to care for my kids it has made me so sick. | F | 30 | 5 months | 10/8/2009 | 5 | severe constipation | No adverse side effects | I have had awful constipation for seven or more years. I only had a bowel movement every four or five days. Then it was so painful, sometimes I could hardly stand it. I bled and cried every time. Finally, somebody suggested Miralax and four days after I startd taking it (in my coffee every morning) I had the first normal bowel movement I'd had in years. It was wonderful. I wanted to tell everybody. Thank you, thank you, thank you! | F | 55 | 4 months | 12/26/2007 | 5 | Constipation/Withholding | Sometimes gas/abdominal discomfort | I finally had to take my son to a Pediatric GI b/c of his severe constipation. This has been a Godsend! I was having a terrible time with other laxatives and this completely helped him! Only downside is if we forget to give him a dose for a day or two, he starts having harder stools. Trying to decrease dosing amount slightly since he's currently taking the full dosage of 17g. | M | 3 | 4 months | 1/10/2008 | 5 | IBS with constipation | occasional uncontrollable bm | I LOVE this, which I take 17 grams with water along with daily fiber caplets, but the timing of when it works is a bit unpredictable doc didn't suggest a time to take it, does anyone find it works best to take in a.m., p.m., with meal? | M | 60 | 3 months | 4/26/2007 | 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 | CC | I take a OTC stool softener twice daily along with Miralax. This seems to help me. | M | 74 | 3 months | 5/3/2007 | 4 | severe constipation for years | I experienced a pretty severe inflamation of the stomach, where it looked like I gained a lot of weight. It was very uncomfortable. I've had two bowel resections, so it certainly has helped in having a bowel movement, but I don't like the side effect. Maybe I just need to play with the dosage. | F | 44 | 3 months | 7/11/2007 | 4 | constipation due to B/P meds | Some gas at times | Have been satisfied with this product. I have noticed that I am having fluid retention that I've NEVER had before in ankles, legs & hands. Has anyone else had this problem? I hope it isn't the Miralax because it is helping so much with constipation. Please post an answer concerning this. | F | 65 | 3 months | 10/28/2009 | 5 | Encopresis | My 6 year old son has suffered from chronic constipation since birth. He has been on Miralax since June and he hasn't had any accidents. I don't know if he'll be on this is temporary or if he'll have to be on it permanently, but I do know it's helped him a lot and has boost his self-esteem. | M | 6 | 2 months | 8/6/2009 | 5 | rectole and constipation | little gas and bloating at start | have worked out dosage to just once now every other night with hot tea. Have painless,smooth bowel movement every morning right after breakfast. This after 35 yrs of acute constipation to the pont where I had vaginal bleeding from straining. I have recommended it to two of my daughters and one of their mothers-in-law since I started using it and they think it is amazing. Do wish it was generic as it is pricey for retirees | F | 73 | 2 months | 4/24/2009 | 5 | IBS w/constipation | No side effects at all | This has truly changed my life for the better! I've been constipated for 10 years and have tried various amounts of fiber and water, many diets and medications with no lasting results. I was taking Zelnorm but it gave me cramps and stopped working after a couple weeks and now isn't available. Thank you Miralax!!! | F | 46 | 2 months | 5/16/2007 | 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 | 18 mo son with constipation | Occasional loose stools | I was giving my son milk of magnesia, which was working when taken consistently, but I heard that he may grow dependent on it. By my neighbor's recommendation (she's a pediatric nurse), I started giving my son MiraLAX, and it's been working wonderfully. I give him 1 to 1.5 teaspoon in orange juice first thing every morning. | M | 1 | 2 months | 6/28/2007 | 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 | 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 | 4 | cronic constipation | gas and cramping | I've had really bad constipation for most of my life and nothing ever seemed to work. Sometimes I wouldn't go for months, and I eat A LOT. I tried everything from benefibre, fruits, a lot of water, coffee, metamucil, phillips, EVERYTHING. This is the first and only thing to ever work...I'm still trying to figure out the perfect amount to take to get regular. I have a bit of cramping and gas which is a bit frustrating but I attribute that to my dosage discrepancy since it differs everyday. RECOMMENDED | F | 20 | 2 months | 4/2/2008 | 2 | IBS-C | Frequent urination, bloating, gas. | My gastroenterologist prescribed 1/2 cap dosage. At first, this worked well, then after about 10 days, I found that the medication was doing nothing but bloat my abdomen and cause me to frequently urinate. My gastroenterologist then suggested that I increase the dosage to a full dosage as he felt I was not evacuating enough. He also added that increasing the dosage would ease the frequest urinating urges. He was wrong. I took the full dosage for 3 days and I had to stop. I was so bloated and distorted in my abdomen that it hurt to even breathe. The frequent urination continued so much that I was up all hours of the night to use the bathroom. I still have the issues where I do not evacuate enough. All my tests including the colonoscopy were normal. I have had a prostate biopsy which was also normal. There is no relief using this medication. | M | 52 | 2 months | 9/1/2009 | 5 | Chronic constipation | None | My doctor recommended Miralax as a last resort, since stool softeners, drinking additional water and watching my diet did not help. Began working after 4 days with multiple, soft but not loose stools, then cut back to movements once or twice a day only. I take it every morning, a full capful, and have experienced absolutely no side-effects. My stools are "comfortable" now and reasonably "regular," which is an outstanding improvement for me. To the person concerned over taking it once a week, my experience would indicate that daily use does not "overdo" it. Everyone's system is different, however, so you may need to "experiment" to determine your specific optimum usage. | F | 63 | 1 months | 9/9/2009 | 5 | Constipation | None | I am really enjoying the benefits of Miralax. (I call it Miracle Lax) About 17 years ago, I wound up in the Emergency Room of our local hospital with severe abdominal pain - Yes, it was constipation. I thought it was a fluke because I did have daily BM's, but apparently the "volume" wasn't there. Over the years, I've taken Mag Citrate, Citrucel, stool softeners and Metamucil. All of them worked sometime, but never with any degree of consistency. It took 7-10 days before MiraLax "kicked in" with any degree of regularity. I was initially concerned because many people at this site reported seeing the benefits in a few days. The prescription meds that I take really cause a constipation issue, so I really needed to address the constipation. It was more than "just discomfort". It has been GREAT for me - I'd recommend it to a friend. | M | 62 | 1 months | 9/18/2007 | 3 | Mult Sclerosis related constipation | Severe bloating that has gradually lessened; increased flatulance (not lessening). Gained 5lbs. | Took about a week of twice daily doses to start working. Works really well as a softener, but did not improve frequency much. I was once per wk before, now 2-3 times per week. | F | 42 | 1 months | 2/3/2009 | 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 | 3 | Constipation | Sphincter swelling. It seemed I frequently felt like "I had to go" - but I didn't. The stool, while formed, had a high water content which made it difficult "to clean myslf". | This is my second posting. I initially thought of this as "Miracle Lax" because it made my BM's much more "regular". However, about 7 weeks after starting MiraLax, I again became constipated and had to resort to 2/3 of a bottle of Mag Citrate. (Tastes bad - works good). I am now back on a regimen of Metamucil, stool softener and mineral oil. In summary, I believe MiraLax to be a great product - but not for me. I am not sorry I tried it. It is extremely easy to use. | M | 62 | 6 weeks | 9/25/2007 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
