{"id":60239,"date":"2023-09-07T11:26:55","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T15:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60239"},"modified":"2026-03-17T16:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T20:39:09","slug":"miralax-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/miralax-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Miralax (polyethylene glycol) alternatives: What can I take instead of Miralax?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Constipation<\/span> is a widespread condition that may impact one\u2019s quality of life. According to the <\/span>American Gastroenterological Association<\/span><\/a>, approximately 16% of U.S. adults (and 33% of those older than 60 years) experience symptoms of constipation, including infrequent bowel movements, difficulty in passing stools, straining to pass stools, or the feeling of an incomplete bowel movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Miralax<\/span><\/a> (generic name polyethylene glycol 3350 or PEG 3350), an osmotic laxative, treats occasional constipation by attracting water into the colon to ease, hydrate, and soften the stool. For adults, 17 years and older, 17 grams (one capful or one packet) is dissolved into four to eight ounces of water or any hot or cold beverage once daily for up to seven days. Children 16 years or under should consult a primary physician or gastroenterologist for dosing instructions. Miralax typically produces a bowel movement in one to three days without causing gas, bloating, cramping, or sudden urgency, like some laxatives. However, it may result in loose, watery, or more frequent stools.<\/span><\/p>\n

Miralax was initially approved as a prescription-only medication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 and moved to over-the-counter (OTC) status in 2006. It is proven safe and effective in adults aged 17 years and older, including older adults. Miralax should not be used by those allergic to the active ingredient polyethylene glycol and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional for those under age 17, those with kidney disease, or pregnant or breastfeeding women.<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of Miralax?<\/span><\/h2>\n

While Miralax may be a good choice for many people, many safe and effective OTC laxatives are available to treat occasional <\/span>constipation<\/span><\/a>. Laxatives work in different ways, and the effectiveness of each type may vary from person to person. There are four general categories of oral laxatives based on how they relieve constipation symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n