{"id":61738,"date":"2023-11-29T09:30:56","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T14:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61738"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:24:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:24:51","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-for-miralax-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-for-miralax-to-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take for MiraLAX to work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If it’s been days since you’ve been able to go, you may visit your pharmacy looking for an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment to help move things along. One common OTC option is <\/span>MiraLAX<\/span><\/a>, an osmotic laxative used to treat occasional constipation. It works by drawing water into the colon, which softens the stool and makes it easier to pass, while also increasing the colon’s contents to trigger a bowel movement. <\/span><\/p>\n

Because MiraLAX does not directly stimulate the intestines like some laxatives, it can take longer to work. Here’s what you should know if you’re looking for relief.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>RELATED: <\/b>Foods to avoid when constipated<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How long does it take for MiraLAX to work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It usually takes 12 to 24 hours for <\/span>MiraLAX<\/span><\/a> (polyethylene glycol 3350) to take effect—according to <\/span>Harish Gagneja<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Austin Gastroenterology in central Texas—but it can take up to 96 hours in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because it can take one to three days to work, it is normal not to feel immediate effects of MiraLAX. Unlike stimulant laxatives, MiraLAX might not even make you poop the same day you take it. <\/span><\/p>\n

“[The active ingredient, polyethylene glycol (PEG)] is not absorbed by the digestive system, so it remains in the intestine and draws water in the intestine,” Dr. Gagneja says. “This in turn increases the volume and water content of the stool, making it softer and more pliable. MiraLAX has no stimulant effect on the intestines.”<\/span><\/p>\n

MiraLAX—which is also used off-label for bowel preparation before a <\/span>colonoscopy<\/span><\/a>—is formulated to offer gentle, gradual relief. It will probably take longer to work than other <\/span>laxatives<\/span><\/a>, but it also has fewer adverse effects. How quickly MiraLAX works can be impacted by the dosage, severity of constipation, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n

Factors that influence how long it takes for MiraLAX to work<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several factors that impact how long it takes for MiraLAX to work, including:<\/span><\/p>\n