Key takeaways:
Miralax is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can help treat occasional constipation.
There aren’t any foods that directly interact with Miralax. But there are some foods that can worsen constipation or make side effects — like bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea — more likely.
While taking Miralax, it can help to limit alcohol, fried or fatty foods, dairy, and high-sugar foods and drinks.
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Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative that can relieve constipation. Miralax is an osmotic laxative, which means it pulls water into the bowels. This makes stool softer and easier to pass. Miralax also increases the overall size of stool in the bowels. This can trigger bowel contractions, which can stimulate a bowel movement.
Like any medication, Miralax can cause side effects like:
Bloating
Gas
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
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Some foods can worsen these side effects. Other foods and drinks can contribute to constipation, which may make it harder for Miralax to work as well as expected.
Here are five foods and drinks to limit while taking Miralax so that you get the best results.
1. Alcohol
Laxatives work best when you drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated. Miralax is no exception. If you’re dehydrated, Miralax may not work as well.
Alcohol can make you pee more, which can contribute to dehydration.
Alcohol can also irritate the lining of the intestine and trigger diarrhea. Since Miralax can sometimes cause diarrhea as well, combining the two may make loose stools more likely.
2. Fried and fatty foods
You may already know that certain types of fat can affect your heart health. But they can also affect how well your gut functions.
Fatty foods can slow digestion for some people. And many fried or greasy foods are low in fiber. Not getting enough fiber can make constipation worse, which may make it harder for Miralax to work as well as expected.
High-fat foods to limit while taking Miralax include:
Fried foods like french fries or fried chicken
Greasy foods like pizza, cheeseburgers, and donuts
Fast foods
3. High-fiber foods (in large amounts)
Fiber is good for digestion, but you should avoid suddenly increasing your fiber intake or eating very large amounts of fiber while taking Miralax. That’s because getting too much fiber at once — or without enough fluids — can cause gas and bloating. Miralax can lead to these symptoms, too. So too much fiber can worsen Miralax side effects.
The goal is to include plenty of fiber in your diet without going overboard. Most people can get the right amount of fiber (around 25 g to 30 g daily for adults) by eating 4 or 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily. Try not to exceed 50 g of fiber per day.
4. Dairy
Some people notice that dairy products make their constipation worse.
Most dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, don’t contain fiber. So if you eat a lot of dairy, you may have less room in your diet for fiber-rich foods.
Dairy can also contribute to constipation for other reasons. Some people with lactose intolerance experience constipation — even though bloating, gas, and diarrhea are more common symptoms.
Milk protein intolerance or allergy may also be linked to constipation, especially in children. If you think dairy may be causing constipation for you or your child, talk with a healthcare professional before cutting out major food groups.
5. Sugary foods and drinks
Studies show that people who eat a lot of high-sugar foods may be more likely to experience constipation. This may be because many high-sugar foods are also low in fiber, especially processed foods made with refined grains. Certain high-sugar foods can also upset your stomach or trigger diarrhea.
Examples of high-sugar foods and beverages include:
Candy
Donuts
Soda and energy drinks
Packaged baked goods
Juice and other sweetened beverages
Things to consider when taking Miralax
Miralax is well tolerated by many people. But it may not be the right choice for everyone.
Check with a healthcare professional before taking Miralax if you:
Have kidney disease
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have a history of bowel surgery or bowel blockage
Have intense stomach pain, vomiting, or rectal bleeding
It’s also a good idea to check in with a healthcare professional before taking Miralax if you take:
Diuretics (also called water pills)
Medications that can affect kidney function or electrolyte levels
Other laxatives or stool softeners
Since Miralax affects digestion, it can affect how well your body absorbs other oral medications. If you take medications where timing or consistent absorption is especially important, consider separating them from Miralax by about 2 hours.
Examples include medications for:
Seizures
Transplants
Thyroid conditions
Heart rhythm problems
Frequently asked questions
For people 17 and older, the standard dose of Miralax is 17 g. This is one capful or one packet, depending on which form of the product you buy. Stir the powder into 4 oz to 8 oz of water or juice until it dissolves, then drink the liquid immediately. Children younger than 17 years shouldn’t take Miralax unless recommended by their healthcare team.
You can take Miralax once a day, spacing it out by 24 hours. Avoid using Miralax for longer than a week without checking in with a healthcare professional.
Miralax can be an option during pregnancy, especially for short-term use. Miralax mostly stays in your gut instead of entering your bloodstream, so fetal exposure is thought to be low. But a good rule of thumb is to first try fiber, fluids, and physical activity to see if that helps resolve your constipation. If that doesn’t relieve your constipation, check in with your care team to see if Miralax is a good option to try.
For people 17 and older, the standard dose of Miralax is 17 g. This is one capful or one packet, depending on which form of the product you buy. Stir the powder into 4 oz to 8 oz of water or juice until it dissolves, then drink the liquid immediately. Children younger than 17 years shouldn’t take Miralax unless recommended by their healthcare team.
You can take Miralax once a day, spacing it out by 24 hours. Avoid using Miralax for longer than a week without checking in with a healthcare professional.
Miralax can be an option during pregnancy, especially for short-term use. Miralax mostly stays in your gut instead of entering your bloodstream, so fetal exposure is thought to be low. But a good rule of thumb is to first try fiber, fluids, and physical activity to see if that helps resolve your constipation. If that doesn’t relieve your constipation, check in with your care team to see if Miralax is a good option to try.
The bottom line
There aren’t any foods that interact directly with Miralax. But certain foods can worsen constipation and make it harder for Miralax to do its job well. Other foods may also worsen Miralax’s side effects. It’s best to limit alcohol, high-fat foods, and high-sugar foods while you’re taking Miralax. And while dietary fiber is helpful, try not to increase your fiber intake suddenly, especially without enough fluids. Drinking plenty of water can also help Miralax work as expected.
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References
Arnone, D., et al. (2022). Sugars and gastrointestinal health. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Bellini, M., et al. (2021). Chronic constipation: Is a nutritional approach reasonable? Nutrients.
Bourkheili, A. M., et al. (2021). Effect of cow’s-milk-free diet on chronic constipation in children; A randomized clinical trial. Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine.
Chiba, T., et al. (2006). Alcohol-related diarrhea. Addiction Biology.
Leszkowicz, J., et al. (2022). Can lactose intolerance be a cause of constipation? A narrative review. Nutrients.
Little, T. J., et al. (2007). Modulation by high-fat diets of gastrointestinal function and hormones associated with the regulation of energy intake: Implications for the pathophysiology of obesity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
McGraw, T. (2016). Safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 solution in chronic constipation: randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology.
Rollet, M., et al. (2022). Association between dietary factors and constipation in adults living in Luxembourg and taking part in the ORISCAV-LUX 2 survey. Nutrients.
