Schering-Plough has made their polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxative Miralax® available over-the-counter in the same strength as the original prescription version. Taken once a day, Miralax works by drawing water into the bowel.
A 2005 review of medical literature found good evidence to support the use of PEG laxatives to relieve constipation, assigning a Grade A. The only other agent with a Grade A rating, tegaserod or Zelnorm® has recently been removed from the market. Grade B or moderate evidence was found for psyllium, and lactulose. The reviewers found very little data on the use of commonly used laxatives including milk of magnesia, senna, bisacodyl, and stool softeners.
Writing in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Ramkumar and Rao concluded,
There is good evidence to support the use of PEG, tegaserod, lactulose, and psyllium. Surprisingly, there is a paucity of trials for many commonly used agents. These aspects should be considered when designing trials comparing new agents with traditional therapies because their use may not be well validated.
Cancer patients often face constipation from chemotherapy and from the need for opiates to treat pain.
July 06, 2007 at 5:41 pm, Irene Estes said:
Our doctor recommended Miralax for constipation…He said to be sure the word STIMULANT IS ON THE PACKAGE..wE CANNOT FIND ANY has it been discontinued? Please let me know,,,,,
yours truly,
Irrne Estes
July 07, 2007 at 11:28 am, Kate Murphy said:
Miralax is not a stimulant laxative. It works by increasing the amount of water in the intestinal tract, softening and “flushing” stool. Stimulate laxatives increase muscle contractions in the bowel and move stool along.
I do not believe that Miralax ever contained stimulants. Its active ingredient is Polyethylene Glycol (PEG.)
July 27, 2007 at 7:17 am, helga said:
is it safe to use mi ralax on acontionous daily daily basis?
August 26, 2007 at 9:39 am, Gramma said:
Having bowel problems is new to me. On the pkg it says to take 1-3 days. Is this how long it takes for it to work? Or does it take less time to work?
November 14, 2007 at 3:53 pm, Elaine said:
My mother takes miralax on a daily basis and has run into some problems with a low sodium. I don’t know if she might be taking too much and this results in a low sodium because perhaps it is pulling the sodium out into the bowel along with the water to help flush the bowel. Any thoghts or tips on this?