Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Is Miralax safe? Instead of just viewing, I'd appreciate some responses- I feel like im pulling teeth on here sometimes :)

My doctor says Miralax is not safe. She called it poison. She said that Miralax causes loose or even watery stools. I had tried it (at half dose) for constipation (I have alternating IBS) and it gave me really bad diarrhea � which can mess up your electrolytes.

Miralax is Polyethylene glycol 3350. The 3350 is the molecular weight. Antifreeze is ethylene glycol, so polyethylene glycol is not exactly the same thing, but "in the family". In theory, the 3350 molecular weight is too large to be absorbed by the body. However, a surprising number of people who have leaky gut issues exhibit side effects that indicate that a small amount of the product probably IS indeed being absorbed. PEG is used in colon clean out procedures before a colonoscopy. In large amounts, electrolytes must be added (colyte, golytely).

I have a friend who ended up in the ER where they diagnosed "Miralax toxicity." Absolutely do not use it if you have a bowel obstruction or intestinal blockage. If you have these conditions, you could have dangerous or life-threatening side effects from polyethylene glycol 3350. In fact, there have been a growing number of adverse effects to the FDA's adverse events reporting system. Considering that MOST people do not take time to do this, the number of cases is considered an underestimate.

Instructions on Miralax say "Before taking polyethylene glycol 3350, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney disease, nausea or vomiting with severe stomach pain, or if you have had a sudden change in bowel habits that has lasted 2 weeks or longer. Polyethylene glycol 3350 should produce a bowel movement within 1 to 3 days of using the medication.

The package insert advises not to use for more than 2 weeks and I think that should definitely be honored. I think the manufacturer knows all about the small percentage that is absorbed and by advising a two week limit, they are basically trying to tell us that if you continue, you run the risk of absorbing too much and it becoming toxic to you.

Use Heather's Acacia Fiber (this worked immediately for me) and take about 500mg of magnesium tablets instead (I take 250mg daily). If I get plugged, I take 750mg of magnesium tablets with lots of water.

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IBS-A, 'moderate' diverticulosis, post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS), many food allergies, asthma

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