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MiraLAX (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 - OTC): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

MiraLAX

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 8/30/2022

Drug Summary

What Is MiraLAX?

MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350) is used as a laxative to treat occasional constipation or irregular bowel movements. MiraLAX is available over-the-counter and in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of MiraLAX?

Common side effects of MiraLAX include:

  • nausea,
  • abdominal cramping,
  • bloating,
  • upset stomach,
  • gas,
  • dizziness, or
  • increased sweating.
Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of MiraLAX including severe or bloody diarrhea, bleeding from your rectum, blood in your stools, or severe and worsening stomach pain, cramping, or bloating.

MiraLax may cause serious side effects including:

  • severe or bloody diarrhea,
  • rectal bleeding,
  • blood in your stools, and
  • severe or worsening stomach pain

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for MiraLAX

The usual dose of MiraLAX is 17 grams (about 1 heaping tablespoon) of powder per day (or as directed by physician) in 4 to 8 ounces of water.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with MiraLAX?

Other drugs may interact with MiraLAX. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use.

MiraLAX During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

During pregnancy, MiraLAX should be used only when prescribed. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Additional Information

Our MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for MiraLAX

Active ingredient

(in each dose) (Bottle Only): Polyethylene Glycol 3350, 17 g (cap filled to line)

Inctive ingredient

None

Uses for MiraLAX

Purpose

Osmotic Laxative

Use

Relieves occasional constipation (irregularity) generally produces a bowel movement in 1 to 3 days

Dosage for MiraLAX

Directions (Bottle Only)

  • do not take more than directed unless advised by your doctor
  • the bottle top is a measuring cap marked to contain 17 grams of powder when filled to the indicated line (white section in cap)
  • adults and children 17 years of age and older:
    • use once a day
    • fill to top of white section in cap which is marked to indicate the correct dose (17 g)
    • stir and dissolve in any 4 to 8 ounces of beverage (cold, hot or room temperature) then drink
    • do not combine with starch-based thickeners used for difficulty swallowing
    • ensure that the powder is fully dissolved before drinking
    • do not drink if there are any clumps
    • do not use no more than 7 days
  • children 16 years of age or under:
    • ask a doctor

Directions (Packet Only)

  • do not take more than directed unless advised by your doctor
  • adults and children 17 years of age and older:
    • use once a day
    • stir and dissolve one packet of powder (17 g) in any 4 to 8 ounces of beverage (cold, hot or room temperature) then drink
    • do not combine with starch-based thickeners used for difficulty swallowing
    • ensure that the powder is fully dissolved before drinking
    • do not drink if there are any clumps
    • do not use more than 7 days
  • children 16 years of age or under:
    • ask a doctor

HOW SUPPLIED

Storage

Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F)

Tamper-evident: do not use if foil seal under cap, printed with "SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION" is missing, open or broken

Inactive ingredients: none

Questions or comments?

1-800-MiraLAX (1-800-647-2529)

Manufactured by: Bayer HealthCare LLC. Revised: Feb 2022

Side Effects for MiraLAX

Allergy alert

Do not use if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol

Do not use if you have kidney disease, except under the advice and supervision of a doctor

Ask a doctor before use if you have

Ask a doctor of pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug

When using this product you may have loose, watery, more frequent stools

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • you have rectal bleeding or you nausea, bloating or cramping or abdominal pain gets worse. These may be signs of a serious condition.
  • you get diarrhea
  • you need to use a laxative for longer than 1 week

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of the reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Drug Interactions for MiraLAX

No information provided.

Warnings for MiraLAX

Allergy alert

Do not use if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol

Do not use if you have kidney disease, except under the advice and supervision of a doctor

Ask a doctor before use if you have

  • nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
  • a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts over 2 weeks
  • irritable bowel syndrome

Ask a doctor of pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug

When using this product you may have loose, watery, more frequent stools

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • you have rectal bleeding or you nausea, bloating or cramping or abdominal pain gets worse. These may be signs of a serious condition.
  • you get diarrhea
  • you need to use a laxative for longer than 1 week

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of the reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Precautions for MiraLAX

See section above

Overdose Information for MiraLAX

No information provided.

Contraindications for MiraLAX

No information provided.

Clinical Pharmacology for MiraLAX

No information provided.

Patient Information for MiraLAX

Allergy alert

Do not use if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol

Do not use if you have kidney disease, except under the advice and supervision of a doctor

Ask a doctor before use if you have

  • nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
  • a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts over 2 weeks
  • irritable bowel syndrome

Ask a doctor of pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug

When using this product you may have loose, watery, more frequent stools

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • you have rectal bleeding or you nausea, bloating or cramping or abdominal pain gets worse. These may be signs of a serious condition.
  • you get diarrhea
  • you need to use a laxative for longer than 1 week

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of the reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.