polyethylene glycol
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) 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 then drink. Typically, you take a dose of polyethylene glycol (Miralax) once a day, for up to a week. Most people will experience a bowl movement in 1 to 3 days. Some side effects that polyethylene glycol (Miralax) can cause include nausea, bloating, and passing gas.
What is Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)?
What is Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) used for?
- Occasional constipation and irregular bowel movements
How Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) works
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) is an osmotic laxative. It brings more fluid into your colon to soften your stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement.
Drug facts
More on Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) essentials
Side effects of Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Passing gas
- Bloating
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
More on Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) side effects
The following Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Get your GoodRx coupon
Pros and cons of Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
Pros
- Available OTC, so you don't need a prescription from your provider
- Causes less cramping, bloating, gas, or feelings of "having to go right now" compared to other laxatives
- A possible option during pregnancy, if provider says it's safe for you to take
Cons
- Can take a few days before you have a bowel movement
- Only for short-term relief of constipation
- Might cause loose, watery stools
Pharmacist tips for Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
- Before taking polyethylene glycol (Miralax), contact your provider if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. Also, let them know if you've noticed sudden changes in your bowel movements or stool that have lasted for 2 weeks or more. If so, your provider will likely want to examine you to see if you have any more serious medical problem that needs more attention.
- If you've a history of irritable bowel syndrome or kidney problems, contact your provider before taking polyethylene glycol (Miralax) or other OTC laxatives because they might not be safe for you.
- Typically, a single dose of polyethylene glycol (Miralax) is 17 grams. Check your product carefully for dosing instructions. If you're taking polyethylene glycol (Miralax) powder packets, 17 grams equals one packet. If you're taking the bottle version of polyethylene glycol (Miralax), use the bottle cap to measure out your dose. Fill the cap with powder up to the marked line, and that capful equals one 17 gram dose.
- Pour the polyethylene glycol (Miralax) powder in 4 to 8 fl oz of liquid (half to one cup). This liquid can be any temperature and any drink, including water, tea, coffee, or juice. Stir the mixture until it's dissolved and then drink the whole mixture right away. Don't drink the mixture if there are any clumps floating around.
- Don't use polyethylene glycol (Miralax) more than once a day because this could lead to side effects, such as diarrhea.
- Stop taking polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and contact your provider if you start to have diarrhea, experience rectal bleeding, or your nausea, cramping, or bloating gets worse.
- If you find yourself needing to use polyethylene glycol (Miralax) for longer than 1 week, contact your provider. This could be a sign of a more serious problem.
- Store polyethylene glycol (Miralax) at room temperature and up and away from children. If your child accidentally swallowed this medication, get medical help or contact a Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
More on Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) tips
Common questions about Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
Most people will have a bowel movement 1 to 3 days after they take polyethylene glycol (Miralax). If you don't feel like it's working well for you, or if you experience cramping that gets worse, call your provider.
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) powder itself is tasteless. To take your dose, you need to mix it with 4 to 8 ounces of a beverage. The beverage can be cold, hot, or room temperature. Some examples of drinks you can mix polyethylene glycol (Miralax) with include water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea.
People with kidney problems can take polyethylene glycol (Miralax) if your healthcare provider says it's safe to do so. Some laxatives can change your body's salt and electrolyte levels, which your provider will want to monitor closely. Talk with your provider if you have kidney problems so they can let you know if it's appropriate for you to take polyethylene glycol (Miralax).
Both polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax) are good OTC options for constipation, but they work differently to help you have a bowel movement. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)) is a stimulant laxative and works by telling your gut muscles to contract (tighten) to push the stool along. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) also comes as a rectal suppository that can be a good option if you're not able to take anything by mouth. This medication can help you produce a bowel movement in as quickly as under an hour (suppository) or in 6 to 12 hours (tablets). Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) is an osmotic laxative and softens your stool so that it's easier for you to have a bowel movement. You'll typically have a bowel movement with polyethylene glycol (Miralax) in 1 to 3 days.
No, polyethylene glycol (Miralax) contains polyethylene glycol, while antifreeze is ethylene glycol. There have been concerns about using polyethylene glycol (Miralax) in children, because the medication sometimes has small amounts of ethylene glycol. However, the FDA never issued a warning. If you have concerns about using polyethylene glycol (Miralax) in your child, ask their pediatrician about other options for constipation relief.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Complete or partial blockage of intestines
Stop taking polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and call your provider if you have rectal bleeding (from your anus) or cannot have a bowel movement after taking polyethylene glycol (Miralax). These could be signs of a more serious problem.
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) dosage
Bottle of powder| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 doses of 17g/dose | 1 bottle | $4.63 | $4.63 |
| 14 doses of 17g/dose | 1 bottle | $6.75 | $6.75 |
| 30 doses of 17g/dose | 1 bottle | $14.13 | $14.13 |
| 45 doses of 17g/dose | 1 bottle | $11.88 | $11.88 |
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 packets of 17g/dose | 3 cartons | $20.94 | $6.98 |
Typical dosage for Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
- Adults and children age 17 years and older: The typical dose is 17 grams (1 packet or 1 capful) mixed in 4 to 8 ounces of a beverage and then taken by mouth once a day.
- Children age 16 years and younger: Ask your child's provider.
More on Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) dosage
How much does Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) cost?
What are alternatives to Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)?
News about Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) images
