Brand Name and Other Names: Milk of Magnesia
Generic Name: Magnesium Hydroxide
Drug Class: Laxatives, Other
What Is Magnesium Hydroxide Used For and How Does it Work?
Magnesiumhydroxide is used to treatconstipationandacid indigestion.Magnesium hydroxideis availableover-the-counter(OTC) and as ageneric.
Magnesium Hydroxide is available under the following different brand names: Milk ofMagnesia.
Dosages of Magnesium Hydroxide
Adult and pediatric:
Chewabletablet
- 311mg
- 400 mg
Suspension
- 7.75%
- 400 mg/5mL
- 800 mg/5mL
- 1200 mg/15mL
- 2400 mg/10mL
Constipation in Adults:
- Magnesium hydroxide (400 mg/5 mL): 30-60 mL/day orally at bedtime orindivided doses
- Magnesium hydroxide (800 mg/5 mL): 15-30 mL/day orally at bedtime or in divided doses
- Chewable tablet: 8 tablets/day orally at bedtime or in divided doses
Acid Indigestion in Adults:
- Magnesium hydroxide (400 mg/5 mL): 5-15 mL orally every 4 hours; no more than 4 doses per 24-hour period
- Chewable tablet: 2-4 tablets orally every 4 hours; no more than 4 doses per 24-hour period
Constipation in children:
Suspension
- 2-6 years: 5-15 mL/day of regular-strength liquid orally at bedtime or in divided doses
- 6-12 years: 15-30 mL/day (400 mg/5 mL) or 7.5-15 mL/day (800 mg/5 mL) orally at bedtime or in divided doses
- 12 years and older: 30-60 mL/day (400 mg/5 mL) or 15-30 mL/day (800 mg/5 mL) orally at bedtime or in divided doses
Chewable tablet
- Under 3 years: Not recommended
- 3-6 years: 2 tablets orally once daily or in divided doses
- 6-12 years: 4 tablets orally once daily or in divided doses
- 12 years and older: 8 tablets orally once daily or in divided doses
Acid Indigestion in children:
Liquid
- Under 12 years: Not recommended
- 12 years and older: 5-15 mL (400 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 hours; no more than 4 doses per 24-hour period
Chewable tablet
- Under 12 years: Not recommended
- 12 years and older: 2-4 tablets orally every 4 hours; no more than 4 doses per 24-hour period
Children under 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established.
![](https://images.rxlist.com/images/quiz/pancreatitis/pancreatitis-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
Pancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas.See AnswerWhat Are Side Effects Associated with Using Magnesium Hydroxide?
Side effects of magnesium hydroxide include:
- Abdominalcramping
- Diarrhea
- Electrolyteimbalance
- Low blood pressure(hypotension)
- Muscleweakness
- Respiratory depression
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with yourphysicianfor additional information about side effects.
What Other Drugs Interact with Magnesium Hydroxide?
If yourdoctorhas directed you to use thismedication, your doctor or药剂师may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor,healthcare provider or pharmacist first.
Serious interactions of magnesium hydroxide include:
- baloxavir marboxil
- demeclocycline
- doxycycline
- eltrombopag
- minocycline
- 氧四环素
- pazopanib
- ponatinib
- potassiumphosphates, IV
- raltegravir
- tetracycline
Moderate interactions of magnesium hydroxide include:
- bictegravir
- ciprofloxacin
- crizotinib
- deferiprone
- deflazacort
- dolutegravir
- fleroxacin
- gemifloxacin
- lanthanum carbonate
- levofloxacin
- moxifloxacin
- ofloxacin
- omadacycline
- pancrelipase
- penicillamine
- pexidartinib
- riociguat
- sarecycline
- sodiumphosphates, IV
- vismodegib
- vitamin D
Magnesium Hydroxide has mild interactions with at least 42 different drugs.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.
What Are Warnings and Precautions for Magnesium Hydroxide?
Warnings
This medication contains magnesium hydroxide. Do not take Milk of Magnesia if you are allergic to magnesium hydroxide or any ingredients contained in this drug.
Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact aPoison Control Centerimmediately.
Contraindications
- Renalfailure
- Existing electrolyte imbalance
- Appendicitissymptoms oracutesurgicalabdomen
- Myocardial damage orheart block
- Fecalimpaction orrectal裂缝
- Intestinal obstructionor perforation
- Undiagnosedabdominal pain
Effects of Drug Abuse
No information available.
Short-Term Effects
- See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Magnesium Hydroxide?"
Long-Term Effects
- See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Magnesium Hydroxide?"
Cautions
Use with caution in renal insufficienc.y
Pregnancy and Lactation
Magnesium hydroxide is generally acceptable for use duringpregnancy. Controlled studies inpregnantwomenshowno evidence of fetal risk. Use innursingmothers appears to be safe.
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SLIDESHOW
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https://reference.medscape.com/drug/milk-of-magnesia-magnesium-hydroxide-342018