What is Milk of Magnesia?
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Milk of magnesia is a liquid used in medicinal applications as an antacid and a hydrating laxative. Also known as magnesium hydroxide or Mg(OH)2, the solution is taken orally. It is so named because it looks milky white and contains the naturally occurring mineral magnesium. The substance acts to work within six hours of a dose in adults and children to temporarily relieve occasional bouts of constipation. The original concentrated formula was concocted by a man named Charles Henry Phillips in 1880, and sold under the brand Phillips' Milk of Magnesia. Today, the rights to the name "milk of magnesia" appear to be owned by Bayer Corporation.
Milk of magnesia is an alkaline suspension, meaning that it undergoes a neutralizing reaction when encountering anything acidic. This makes it an effective combatant of excess stomach acid when taken internally. Too much hydrochloric acid (HCl) excreted by the parietal cells in the stomach can lead to indigestion, heartburn, and stomach ulcers. Milk of magnesia in the form of an antacid is dosed from 500 mg-1.5 mg (0.02-0.05 oz) and readily enters the stomach, where the hydroxide ions in milk of magnesia combine with the hydrogen ions in HCl to calm overactivity in the stomach.
As a laxative, milk of magnesia enters the stomach to stimulate intestinal motility, helping flush out the intestines. A dose measures 2-5 g (0.07-0.18 oz). While the hydroxide ions play less of a role in this process, the magnesium helps through the following steps:
- 1. Magnesium ions draw water from the surrounding body tissues into the intestinal tract by osmosis.
2. The higher quantity of water in the intestinal tract softens and increases the volume of feces, stimulating nerves in the intestines.
3. Magnesium ions also play a role in releasing the peptide hormone cholecystokinin, causing accumulation of water and electrolytes in the intestine and triggering intestinal motility.
As with any other medication, milk of magnesia does have side effects, which include weakness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients with severe chronic kidney disease are advised to avoid overconsumption of milk of magnesia. Because the kidney functions to excrete magnesium, taking too much would wear out the kidney and lead to magnesium toxicity of the blood. Products are not recommended for chronic use, since it could produce too harsh of a laxative effect. Usage should last no longer than one week.
Milk of magnesia products are sold over the counter. They come in chewable tablet, capsule, and liquid form, and also are available in different flavors. Physicians recommend taking milk of magnesia with a full glass of juice or water to help with absorption. There are potential reactions with antibiotics, and a physician should be consulted before ingestion if an individual is pregnant or nursing.
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Milk of magnesia is also a great way to cure acne related issues and works as good as if not better than expensive facial treatments. Apply the milk of magnesia on the face and let dry for 15 to 30 minutes. Then wash off with a warm wet wash cloth. - anon44211
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anon13846 didn't say "Wikipedia calls it pseudoscience quackery." They said, "Wikipedia has references..."In fact, their article on Homeopathy has 167 inline citations (footnotes) which reference a plethora of medical journals (with PubMed links), the AMA, FDA, NHS, plus a few 'third string' sources like Newsweek and BBC. Read Wikipedia's policy pages about Verifiability and Reliable Sources. "Articles should rely on reliable, third-party, published sources with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy. This means that we only publish the opinions of reliable authors, and not the opinions of Wikipedians." And anyone considering using homeopathic products -- especially on babies -- please read some of those many scientific references linked from their Homeopathy article. The FDA article under Links if nothing else.... PS A Wikipedia article said Milk of Magnesia might help seborrheic dermatitis (anyone?) so I Googled for more data, and came across this page. So, I'm not adverse to all alt-medicine, I just research it well first, which I do before I take anything "FDA approved" too, either OTC or prescribed. - anon18664
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anon13846: I hardly think Wikipedia is the "Master-Of-All-Truth"! Anyone can post as many "facts" on Wikipedia as they want to. (For Instance) A said group of people want to change the definition on Wikipedia to say that Elephants only have two knees per leg, or that cow's only have one stomach. And if you get enough people backing that theory, the admin will actually change the definition to the newly perceived. Please be cautious when using Wikipedia for any medical info. Use WebMD or call a local hospital, family physician, etc. when seeking medical advice.
I have used the homeopathic teething tablets on my kids while they were teething, not because that's what I believe in, but it really helped when other traditional methods did not. It is a Natural Remedy so-to-speak thing, but hardly dangerous unless uncle joe-bob-henry-bob is making it in his basement. Most of the Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies are A-OK! - anon14558
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Homeopathy is considered implausible and dangerous by the mainstream (evidence-based) medical community. Some homeopathic remedies contain mercury. Wikipedia has references that call it pseudoscience quackery, or, in the words of a 1998 medical review, "placebo therapy at best and quackery at worst." Please consider it as a last resort, if at all. - anon13846
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I saw on the newspaper that it heals acne too! Just put it on your face...
That's what I am trying.. - anon11187
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can milk of magnesia be used (and i know its awfully mean) as a prank without bad side effects? the person has normal bodily functions and fits the criteria to be ok to take it if he was constipated so the only difference between him and a constipated person is he isn't constipated but would he be ok to take it? - anon8280
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I have an 8 month old who was born at 32 weeks. she had a tight sphincter and was put on MOM daily by her GI doctor. It was done to prevent having to use dilators and it did work, I just didn't like the thought of her being on this daily also if she didn't have a bowel movement every 3rd to fourth day or was really distended. I was instructed to give mild soapy water enemas about 5ccs. She is now on Miralax and it is working wonderfully. What is your thought on this treatment because I noticed you suggested homeopathic instead. I am asking because my mother-in-law thinks I was depleting her of potassium and electrolytes. Even though she couldn't poop and had no diarrhea to speak of. - angeleyes33
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Babies on breast milk only can often go days at a time, or even up to a week with no BM. This is not defined as constipation. This is actually normal, and speaks to the fact that breast milk is such a perfect food and so completely assimilated, that there is very little waste. Parents often mistake this for constipation. Constipation is defined as a hard stool.
If your baby is truly "constipated," I suggest a Homeopathic Remedy to put his/her body in balance. Homeopathy is a natural form of medicine that seeks to eliminate symptoms based on the principal of "like cures like" stimulating the body to help itself. Unlike some herbs, Homeopathic remedies are safe while pregnant or breastfeeding, and are safe for babies and children.
Tina Williams-Wolf, IBCLC, RLC, HMA Classic Homeopath - anon5499
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I'm 16 years old and i have had constipation for 3 days. I tried enemas, laxatives, everything will this stuff help me. I have been drinking coke since i was 7. - jonrio
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Babies are *supposed* to drink breast milk and it won't make them constipated. More likely, it's something else that is making your baby constipated because she shouldn't need to drink water or juice or anything else - at that age, they can still just live on breast milk. Take her to the doctor! - anon4738
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i have a 7 month old baby girl who get severely constipated, someone has told me to try milk of magnesium daily. what is your advice on this. she get so constipated because she refuses to take any other liquid except for breast milk. it is very hard to get her to drink anything, water, juices or formula milk. - dchabva
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Can you tell me who was the UK firm who would have been manufacturing Milk of Magnesia in 1920-30. I am tracing family history and my mother worked for this firm whoever they were. - johnwmawson
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Written by
Y. Chen
Last Modified: 05 September 2009
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