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Medications Harming Your Digestive Health – Miralax

Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is one of the most commonly prescribed hyperosmotic laxatives. Though hyperosmotic laxatives are looked upon as less habit-forming, there are still side effects associated with their use. Colonic water retention may cause electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, especially with laxative overdose and/or chronic use.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), the active ingredient in Miralax, is a synthetic chemical believed to have low toxicity in humans. PEG is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the medical community, although it is known to frequently cause bloating, nausea, gas, and diarrhea. Our immune system is also reacting…

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 Parental concerns over MiraLAX laxative continue to spur closer review

“One needs to remember that, unfortunately, children can rarely have the sudden onset of disturbing symptoms,” Gerson said. “Given the common use of MiraLAX, chance association is likely to occur; that by no means is meant to infer that there are not rare complications or that the use of MiraLAX is appropriate in all situations. However, there are no data to support a change in practice at this time and alternative treatments are not necessarily safer.”

Articles of Interest

Are Laxatives Wreaking Havoc on Your Gut?

A new study looks to understand if these types of treatments are a free ride to improved digestion, or if the body is actually paying a price for these interventions. Let’s take a look at the results of this study, which was performed in mice.

New Study Tries to Address PEG 3350 Safety Concerns

Researchers in Ohio have found that using the medication daily for two weeks does not increase blood glycol beyond levels regarded as safe by regulators. However, others say the effort to put patient anxieties to rest may have raised even more safety concerns about the laxative, which has been linked to neuropsychiatric side effects.

Polyethelyne Glycol vs. Lactulose

Overall, the meta-analysis found polyethylene glycol to be more effective than lactulose at increasing stool frequency, relieving pain, and reducing the need for additional products in both adults and children. Therefore, the researchers contend that polyethylene glycol should be preferred over lactulose when treating chronic constipation.

Polyethylene Glycol should be used in preference to Lactulose in the treatment of Chronic Constipation

The findings of our work indicate that PEG is better than lactulose in outcomes of stool frequency per week, form of stool, relief of abdominal pain and the need for additional products. This is seen in both adults and children.

Scrutiny for Laxatives as a Childhood Remedy

The Food and Drug Administration has raised new questions about the safety of an adult laxative routinely given to constipated children, sometimes daily for years.

Resources

Miralax

MiraLAX® is a laxative that provides effective, gentle relief from occasional constipation by working naturally with the water in your body to hydrate, soften and ease, unblocking your system.

GoodRx

Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used for occasional constipation. It comes as a powder that you need to mix with a beverage and drink.

ScienceDirect

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a versatile polyether being utilized in various applications, in particular in medicine.

StatPearls

Polyethylene glycol is an over-the-counter medication. As such, there is increased access to the drug. Healthcare providers need to emphasize directions for use and misuse.