What is Milk Of Magnesia: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Follow the instructions given by a healthcare provider or printed on the package label. Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage.

Doses should be taken at bedtime to treat irregularity and 30 minutes before meals to treat indigestion.

Shake the bottle well before measuring a dose.

Doses can be easily measured with the dosing cup provided with the medicine.

You can also use a kitchen measuring spoons: 

• 5 mL=1 teaspoon

• 15 mL=1 tablespoon

• 30 mL=2 tablespoons

• 60 mL=4 tablespoons or ¼ cup

If you are using this medicine as a laxative, drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water or other liquid after swallowing the medicine.

If you use this medicine as an antacid, you can take the dose with a drink of water, but it’s not required.

Store Milk of Magnesium at room temperature in a closed container. You can refrigerate it to make it more palatable but do not freeze it.

If you forget to take a dose of Milk of Magnesia, take it when you remember if you still are experiencing constipation or stomach acid problems.

Do not use a Milk of Magnesia product if you are allergic to any of the inactive ingredients.

Before using Milk of Magnesia, talk to a doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease

• Stomach pain

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• A sudden change in bowel habits that lasts 14 days or longer

• Magnesium restrictions on your diet

Immediately stop using Milk of Magnesia and contact a doctor if you experience:

• Rectal bleeding

• Blood in your stools

If constipation doesn’t improve after one week, stop using Milk of Magnesia. Have a doctor examine you to determine the cause.

Do not use Milk of Magnesia for longer than two weeks as an antacid unless instructed to by a doctor.

Do not exceed the recommended dosage. Chronic overdosing on Milk of Magnesia can cause serious side effects. Stop taking Milk of Magnesia and contact a healthcare professional if you experience symptoms like:

• Weakness

• Confusion

• Slow breathing

• Slowed reflexes

Do not use Milk of Magnesia to treat irregularity in a child younger than two years of age or to treat stomach acid problems in children younger than 12 years of age until you’ve talked to the child’s pediatrician.

“Milk of Magnesia” liquid gels contain docusate as the active ingredient. Docusate is also a gentle laxative, but it has different side effects and warnings.

If you are taking prescription medications, ask the prescribing doctor for advice before taking Milk of Magnesia. 

Tell any healthcare professional who prescribes new drugs that you use Milk of Magnesia.

Milk of Magnesia interferes with many oral drugs because it reduces stomach acid. In most cases, these drugs are less effective when taken with Milk of Magnesia. 

For most drugs, the rule is to take the drug at least two hours before or two hours after taking a dose of Milk of Magnesia. That’s only a general rule that doesn’t apply to all drugs. Talk to the prescribing healthcare provider first.